Oct. 8, 2008
On taking on Tulsa on Friday in Oklahoma
"We are expecting a tough matchup against Tulsa. They are a very good team and are coming off a split weekend. They lost to Houston but came back to beat Rice in five. We knew from the beginning of the season that Tulsa would be a team to challenge for a conference championship. They have always been able to come up with quality matches and good wins in Conference USA since they have been a part of it, and I expect nothing less than a really tough match against them. They are going to be tough, but I am certain that we are going to be ready."
On what the team has done in practice following Sunday's loss at UAB
"You are always a little more ready to get back to the drawing board after a tough loss, and that is exactly what we did. It is just a part of athletics. You learn more after a tough loss than you do after a win, and I think that rings true for this team. This week has been very productive in the gym, very productive in the film room and off the court as well. We have taken a good look at what we are doing and what we need to improve. This group is very committed to playing the best possible volleyball that they can. They really hate losing. After that tough loss on Sunday, everybody kind of buckled down and they are committed to making sure that does not happen again. So, we are in good shape for the weekend."
On how the team views the loss in perspective to the rest of the season
"Championship seasons have bumps in the road. The most important thing is what you do after those bumps. Teams that are able to learn from their losses, bounce back quickly and bounce back to a higher level than they were at before that loss, those are the types of teams that win championships. We are just that type of team. They are able to keep things in perspective. We just have to look at it and say, `Well, yes it is a loss and it is bad for our record, but it is just one match. There are so many tough conference matches ahead of us and we need to keep working.' So for us to have that kind of attitude, the ability to be positive, show strong character, continue to try and improve, and not lose sight of what is important, that is what is going to carry us through. We are still confident. We are still chasing after that conference championship and that first ever NCAA Tournament bid."
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On playing four straight C-USA matches on the road
"There is always a concern that being on the road so much can wear on your mind and your body. But we are prepared for it. Part of our pre-conference schedule and playing quality opponents on the road was to prepare us for exactly this stretch in October. We have two weekends in a row of tough conference matches, and it is normal to be worried that your team will wear down physically and mentally. But if we can focus on the things we do which lead to success and not so much worrying about how much traveling you are doing or how much you are on the road, then you will like the results. We have been doing that. We have been focusing on the things that we need to improve and getting into a routine. That is the big thing about playing on the road. The routine is what it is and it never changes. That is a credit to my coaching staff. They work very hard to keep our road routine similar and keep them in a good pattern. It has been working for us so far."
On if she planned on making any changes for the weekend
"Other than making sure we have enough depth and keeping our options open in case we need them, the lineup and the system are still our strength. I think a few people will get an opportunity to prove themselves and get more playing time, but we do not look to knee-jerk reactions and changes because of one loss. We just need to keep things in perspective."
On Sunday's opponent, SMU
"SMU right now has struggled against a couple of teams in conference, but they always matchup well with us because they are pretty defensive minded. They have had a few breakout matches last conference season, but if we play well, we will put forth a good performance. We match up well with them too because we have a lot of offense and a lot of firepower."
