University of Minnesota Athletics
Minnesota-Florida State Post-Match Quotes
12/13/2009 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
2009 NCAA MINNEAPOLIS REGONAL FINAL
Dec. 12, 2009 • University of Minnesota Sports Pavilion
No. 11 seed Minnesota (28-8) 3, No. 3 seed Florida State (31-3) 1
Final Scores: 25-20, 25-7, 18-25, 25-17
Attendance: 2,899
Minnesota Head Coach Mike Hebert
Opening Statement
"I want to start by saying that my tie was on for about thirty seconds before I had to loosen it. I knew it was going to be a very warm and entertaining evening. We continued to play, as we have for the past month, team volleyball, particularly in the final points of each set. We seemed to have that instinct to play well when it really counts and that's something this team has really shaped on their own. Back in August this was not a team that I expected was going to make it. I just didn't see any obedience. What has happened is that despite some anguish mid season, despite some young players that needed to come along and develop, this team by mid-November began to play as a seasoned, veteran team. Tonight was another example of that. We pushed real hard, won the first two sets, they pushed back and instead of freaking out we just became more and more solid. I thought we won kind of going away. That's not easy to say after a Regional final. The toughest matches on the road to the Final Four are the regional matches. I think we won the serve and pass better and I thought we were the better ball control team. Those three things usually determine who wins and who loses and we're tickled to death to be going down to Tampa."
On Tabitha Love's improvement throughout the season
"She has been gradually improving all season long. When I say gradually, I mean very gradually. It's not just getting the kills, it's the body language. She's losing that tentativeness that she had early on and now if the ball is airborne she is going to take a swing at it. When you get to that level of readiness, you become a player. I think in the last two weekends, she has shown that she wants to play and is going to become a player."
Minnesota Junior Middle Blocker Lauren Gibbemeyer
On making it to the Final Four
"It was a very emotional match for all of us, just to show that our hard work is paying off. It's such a relief and such a breath of fresh air to be going to Tampa. We don't even care that we have finals the next week, we're just pumped to be there."
Minnesota Freshman Outside Hitter Tabitha Love
On how the team felt coming into the Regional
"I felt like this weekend, we knew the games were going to be really tough and we had to step up. It's really rewarding to win and getting kills is secondary. Going to Tampa was our goal and we accomplished that so that's the main thing."
On whether this was the best the team has played all season
"I think we played really good tonight. Is it the best we've played? I don't know but it felt really good."
Minnesota Senior Libero Christine Tan
On dealing with Florida State's power
"I think my main goal in the match against Florida State was to contain their power, to funnel it when we could and block it when we could. I think our front row did a great job of giving those hitters only a certain area that they could hit at. We have really strong backrow players and we see big hits everyday in practice. I think we were ready for the pace with the ball and we just had good lineups. Our blockers worked really hard to make sure we had clear defensive lanes to dig in. I think that was the key."
On getting to play the Final Four near her hometown
"I'm so excited, not only because I'm going home but because I get to take my team with me. I always thought before that it was who you had on your roster and how stacked your team was, but it's really not. It's the team you have together and how well you play together. This team played so well together and I'm so happy right now."
Florida State Head Coach Chris Poole
Opening Statement...
"First, I certainly want to congratulate Minnesota. They played a great match and Mike (Hebert) is truly one of the legendary coaches, and I admire him so much. I am certainly happy for them, but its mixed emotions, because we had an unbelievable season that was way beyond expectations of anyone. It's a little bittersweet because we got into a runaway train tonight and couldn't get back on track completely. We really challenged the girls between two and three to come out and show what they were made of, and I think they did and I am very proud of them. Certainly Minnesota had a lot to do with that because they are a great team and kept pushing us and it seemed like no matter what we were trying to do offensively we couldn't get the ball to go down. That's to their credit. They were able to pull it up. Proud of the girls and all they have accomplished this year, and we'll be back."
Florida State Senior Middle Blocker Brianna Barry
On what this tournament will do for the future of Florida State Volleyball...
"I think that this year we put the program on the map. People are going to know Florida State and what they have to offer. I couldn't be more proud of my team and my seniors. Mira, Jordan, Nikki, and I have started a big thing for this program, and I think the coaches are going to be able to do a lot in the next few years. Like coach said Florida States going to be back and be in the tournament again. We have a lot of strong girls still on the team after the seniors graduate, and we have a bunch of girls coming in. We have so much more to offer and we are going to bring a lot to the table next coming years. I'm very excited to see what's going to happen."
On Minnesota's defense...
"I think that Minnesota is one of the better blocking teams that we have played. They are taller and very physical. It did get frustrating because we are use to our balls hitting the floor. Minnesota's defense definitely pushed us, and I was proud of the way our team stepped up and moved the defense around pushing through the block and powering through it."
Florida State Senior Outside Hitter Mira Djuric
On trying to get on track in the match...
"I think it was hard for us, because we are a hard hitting team and we are used to our balls going straight down. Minnesota has a great defensive team and has a great libero. We were hitting balls that we had never seen being dug before. I feel like she was the heart of their team tonight. They had great hitters, but at the same time if they wouldn't of had that libero that they wouldn't have been able to stick with us. She dug everything in crucial times."
On what it felt like to end the season like this...
"It's really good to be going out as one of the top eight in the country, but at the same time nobody wanted to go out. I feel like it is a bitter experience for our underclassmen because now they know how it feels s and how much harder they have to work to get where they want to get. I am happy that they can see that there are some great teams out there and you can't be satisfied."
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