Post-match Quotes - Minnesota
NCAA Des Moines Regional Final Post-Match Quotes
Wells Fargo Arena - Des Moines, Iowa
Minnesota Quotes
Opening Statement
Coach McCutcheon
“Well it was quite a battle as you would expect at this stage of the tournament, we were in control in the first couple of sets, Hawaii absolutely battled back and played great, for us of course to have a team go in that hard and complete that well against us and still be able to figure it out even though we were down for the majority of that 4th set was a really nice achievement for us. Again I hate to say how proud I am of the team, different tonight because we had to battle back and there was no way that it was easy, it was a very, very difficult match. We are excited for the next step, first thing is first we will get home and get into the gym and get to practice and get a little better on Monday.”
What kind of adjustments did Hawaii make in the 3rd set to get you guys out of your rhythm?
Coach McCutcheon
“They changed the match ups, flipped their rotation, Nikki Taylor started hitting the ball with a lot more range, was a lot more effective, it took us a lot to have an answer for that. They brought in Granato and she particularly well in serve receive, hitting the ball with good range, there were a lot of adjustments that we had to make, matchups were different, the personnel was different, the distribution was different, they got the quick going early, as you would expect they were fighting for their lives, they changed it up.”
What did all the players say to each other after that 3rd set and how did you get back on top of your game?
Daly Santana
“We were ready for them to come out competing, and props to them they did a great job battling, for us it was more like 3rd set is done and now we have to come out with the 4th set and compete as hard as we can and push back.”
Sarah Wilhite
“Our thought process was to go out there and player gopher volleyball and adjust to whatever they come out with.”
Were the first 2 sets almost too easy?
Coach McCutcheon. Santana, Tapp, Wilhite
“No.”
Santana
“It’s never easy.”
That 4th set was epic. How did it feel during the 4th set?
Santana
“I think we focused on just having good energy, not getting to emotional. The match isn’t over until the last point. We kept battling for each and every point.”
Paige Tapp
“We just felt in control of ourselves.”
Wilihte
“They had some good swings but I think that we moved on to the next point very fast, we didn’t tense up because they had gotten a great kill.”
Comparing to last year about finishing matches?
Santana
“We put in the work, I don’t think there is any other way around it, and there is no magic, just real work.”
How much better are you at the line during game 4 you raised at a perfect time, how much to you enjoy those spots?
Santana
“I think honestly it was a great team effort, couldn’t have done that without their help. One day it can be and other day it can be someone else.”
How happy were you with your blocking tonight combining that with the 400 hitting?
Coach McCutcheon
“I thought the offense was really steady, Sam did a nice job. The blocks were coming from the first 2 sets. Hawaii made adjustments as the game went along. Hitting 400 against a great team like Hawaii is a great achievement.”
What is this moment like for you going to the Championship?
Santana
“We are really happy, obviously. It’s awesome, I think overall just to get that reward because we have earned it and we have worked so hard for such a long time it feels great to finally see it. Good stuff.”
Hannah did you see this coming when the year started?
Hannah
“You know I didn’t have any expectations, I knew that we put in so much hard work and to see us come so far to where we are now, looking back we did put in the hard work and every day that we were putting in the work and know we get the benefits.”
Coach McCutcheon
“This is hard work that is going on, without any promise of reward. We are paving the road for future generations, when you work good things happen. These athletes all they had was trust in the process without knowing what the result was going to be.”
Being from Minnesota?
Hannah
“There is a great support system at Minnesota. I think that having the whole community being involved in this and we have made the state of Minnesota really good volleyball fans and they are awesome, it is such a privilege to play in front of them every single night.“
Wilhite
“A lot of us have played together so that has helped with team chemistry.“
How much did you enjoy the crowd support at this tournament?
Tapp
“The crowd was amazing, it was great. It felt like we were almost at home.”
Half the war now is big 10 teams? How much does it help to have those regular season matches?
Coach McCutcheon
“Its helps, every time is such a battle, it’s a grind in the best possible way. It’s not a grind that wears you down, it’s a grind that polishes you. Without having to battle without worrying on how to deal with those moments, it’s tough to just get into this tournament and this room. We’ve learned to deal with all sorts of adversity this season.”
How have you improved as a team this season?
Tapp
“Each week we have focused on little incremental changes and Hugh always says Small changes with great conviction can have a huge impact and I think that we have made those little changes with great conviction and it has helped us a lot and we have improved a lot and we are going to get back into practice and we are going to keep getting better, it doesn’t stop here we can still improve.”
