The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Quote the Horns: NCAA Semifinal & Championship practice media availability [Dec. 16, 2013]
12.16.2013 | Volleyball
Head coach Jerritt Elliott and players met with the local media Monday before practice.
Head Coach Jerritt Elliott
On if he's been able to talk to football head coach Mack Brown since his resignation: I have not had a chance to talk to him. I know that he's been extremely busy. I'm just giving him some time. Our focus right now is that we've been so busy trying to get our team organized for this trip and travel. We have had no time to ourselves yet.
On what he thinks about the teams in the Final Four: We're excited. We've been to eight straight Elite Eights, I was thinking back, and five out of the last six Final Fours. Every time I go, I make sure to try to cherish it, because you never know when you'll get back. We're on an amazing run as a program. It's not something we take for granted, and hopefully we can go up there and take care of business Thursday night against Wisconsin that is playing very hot. We'll pay a lot of respect, and I was very pleased with the growth we had this past weekend.
On what he thought of the performance last weekend: Playing Nebraska in front of 8,000 fans, we had a huge test in front of us. I'm thankful for the schedule that we made in the preseason with how tough it was to play on the road. Our team played with a chip on their shoulder. I hadn't seen them that focused going into a match all season long. They had a little bit of edge and a little bit of angry. It showed. Their composure in that environment and what they were able to do was remarkable. It's the first time the Nebraska has ever been swept in an NCAA match.
On if there was a concern that the team would not be focused in the first and second rounds: They've been really good and focused all year long. You learn more and more about your team the tougher the fight is. I didn't know what was going to result. We told them we could be down 2-0 going into the locker room, and we've got to find a way to win this thing. We presented every scenario they could face, and the one that we didn't prepare for was winning 3-0.
On what advantage the Nebraska win gave Texas heading into the Final Four: We've been really good on the road, and we've been good in big crowds. The bigger the crowd, this team plays better and they play more focused. Sometimes it's easier being on the road than hosting your own regional because there is pressure to please the fans and go through that. So I think, now that we're done with finals officially as of today, our girls will get some rest, and we'll get acclimated to that situation. We've got to take care of Wisconsin first, and Washington is in that other half of the bracket. So if we're fortunate enough to move on, we could be playing another road game in front of a home crowd.
On after going to the Final Four so many times, how the team stays focused: The win against Nebraska was one of my most special moments I've had as a coach. It just meant so much to be in that situation. There's a lot of pressure to get back to the Final Four. To be able to do that, and the way that we did it on the road, with this team and the development and how much trust they've been able to build was special. I wasn't sure that we were going back to the Final Four. Everyone wants to think that from the outside, but we have a big challenge in front of us.
On their routine and how Coach Elliott keeps the girls confident and focused: I think one of the biggest things that we do right is we stay with routines. We don't watch more film with them, we don't try to overanalyze things with them. My job is to stay relaxed and smile a bit more and dance a little bit more with them and play some music. Once they see that, then they are feeding off of my confidence saying that, 'OK, coach is relaxed.' They've seen me in situations when I'm not comfortable and I usually try to get comfortable when it's matches that I think it's a match that we're going to be tested or that we're supposed to win.
Senior Outside Hitter Bailey Webster
On beating Nebraska and advancing to another Final Four: I think it was a really important match, and I think it just helped us come together as a team. We fought through that together and there were three close games. For us to pull through and play as a team where everyone played their own part, it definitely helps us going into the next match.
It was really exciting because there was a lot of talk about the crowd and things, and there was a lot of extra stuff. That was the whole point that no matter who we play we just need to do what we need to do. We did a great job at it.
On having "a chip on their shoulders" during the Nebraska game: You don't really think of that personally as you go into a match. I think having these four game matches, I mean, American was a great team, I think it helped us prepare for the next game. We need to make sure that we come out punching and that we come out strong and aggressive. I think that helped us for the next match. I think that this helped us with our confidence and believing in each other. That bonding part of it, team factor part of it, that really helps when you go into big matches like this weekend.
On the younger players and their excitement: They're really excited. I've gotten really close with them throughout the season, and I think just the excitement is necessary. I think to have people fresh and just really vibrant about it the entire time. So are we, but after winning that game against Nebraska, in my head I was like, 'OK, next game'. They allowed you to loosen up and enjoy that moment, so it's great to have them here.
Junior Outside Hitter Haley Eckerman
On her biggest takeaways from the win against Nebraska: I think that in any environment, especially where someone is on their home court, that we can just go in a play together as a team, fight through adversity, and just play together. We did an amazing job of sticking together and not letting the crowd affect the game.
On if playing on the road in a tough environment will be an advantage heading into the Final Four: Yes, I think it will help. Nebraska was a great crowd. Especially with that rivalry with the Big 12 and Big 10. That helped us a lot knowing that we can play anywhere with anyone against us with our backs against the wall and fight through it.
On if there is comfort having already been to the Final Four: I think it helps with the underclassmen, especially the freshmen class. My class freshman year, we had the loss and then we had a win last year, and so that gives us a kind of advantage over everyone else because we've been there twice on both the losing side and the winning side. So we know what to take into [these matches].
Junior Middle Blocker Khat Bell
On defeating Nebraska: The sweep was awesome. We had a good time. It was cool to focus as a team and being together, cheering everybody on and being focused. So it was pretty good.
On how the atmosphere against Nebraska will prepare them heading into the Final Four: The atmosphere, the crowd being loud and going against us. Both matches against American and Nebraska prepared us for what is going to go on in Washington.
On how she and the other middle blockers have developed over the course of the season: Molly McCage, Chiaka Ogbogu and Sara Hattis. Sara pushes us every day in practice and makes sure that we're focused on the court, blocking offensively. Molly is a great leader for all of us. When things are down and I can't really feel my feet or I'm too cold or I just don't feel like doing anything, she helps me out a lot.