The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Orange-White Scrimmage
Volleyball opens facility to media, previews 2015 season
08.21.2015 | Volleyball
Head Coach Jerritt Elliott, Chiaka Ogbogu and Ebony Nwanebu met with the media on Friday.
Head Coach Jerritt Elliott
On new practice facility: It's a wonderful thing to have for our program. Our players are able to take advantage of a lot of areas. It's great time management for us in terms of everything being in one spot. We have academics there, we have our training table there, we have our weight room there, and now we have our ball facilities there. It's probably saving them an hour to an hour and a half a day. The goal is to elevate our program. We're very happy with where our program is, but we want to continue to win more championships.
On what he is seeing from the team: I think we have great senior leadership. Their ability to train at a high level is evident and they are great role models for our younger players. This is a younger group that has the ability to step in and play immediately. We have a lot of players that are very capable and come in with a lot of training. They don't need a lot of time to develop. They're energy and competitiveness has actually inspired the upperclassmen as well. There's a nice blend between the two. Both sides of the age groups are enjoying that.
On junior Opposite Ebony Nwanebu: She's coming back and every day we've seen her play, she's gotten a little better. She was the National Freshman of the Year. She brings a whole lot of game to our team and gives us different balance. She's going to be playing on the right side for us. She's a different type of player than the Haley Eckermans and the Destinee Hookers. She can be a cornerstone over there. When she's hot, she can be overwhelming. She's capable of adding that balance and something that we've really needed over there consistently.
Junior Opposite Ebony Nwanebu
On leaving USC and coming to Texas: I just missed the state. I missed my family. I didn't really fit into the LA culture. I'm more of a Texas girl, so it's nice to be back here.
On what she brings to the team: I feel like they have had everything before, and I'm just adding onto it. I'm more of a laid back, calm type of person, and I jump around, so maybe just a little more energy and giddiness.
On emotions heading into the season: I'm really excited. I'm excited to be part of this and be playing in my state and see where we can go.
On feeling a certain pressure coming in as a transfer: There is a little bit of pressure because I'm starting all over again. I feel like I'm a freshman. The team has been very good about opening up to us and letting us know about the expectations. I think we can rise to them.
Junior Middle Blocker Chiaka Ogbogu
On the new facility: It's really cool. We're really blessed to have so many people who support us and donors and all of those people who can make it possible. I don't know how much you guys saw, but the locker room itself is a huge upgrade from Gregory - all of the amenities that it has. We're just really lucky.
On excitement over tomorrow's scrimmage and getting the season started: It's very exciting. I know a lot of the veterans have been talking to the freshmen about how exciting it is playing in Gregory. Today we get to practice here for the first time since preseason started. It'll be a different feel, just how the depth is in the gym, but we're all very excited.
On pressure to be successful: I think having a program like Texas, there is always going to be pressure to get back to where we were last year. The good thing is the coaches always get us prepared, so when we do get there it's not like it something new.
