From Thursday's NCAA Practices
12/4/2003 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
FIRST ROUND 2003 NCAA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
East Lansing, Mich.
Dec. 4, 2003
Valparaiso Head Coach Carin Avery
On being in the tournament for the first time "It's very exciting for us. We are excited to be here at Michigan State because it's so close to home. We'll probably be a little nervous because it is our first time but we will have a lot of parents and hopefully some students come up because we are so close to home. That should help us out a little bit."
On playing a tough Nebraska team "We knew we would get to play a higher seed because it is our first year in the tournament and we are not from a solid conference. We're just happy to be in it no matter who we face and we're excited to see how we fit in playing Nebraska."
On what she expects from her team on Friday "I just want to have fun with the experience. I want us to come out of here knowing that we have played our best, win or lose."
Dayton Head Coach Tim Horsmon
On being in the tournament for the first time "I think the team is excited. Our seniors have worked hard for four years to get to this point. I think the expectation level has always been there, now it's just a matter of enjoying the second half of this season and putting it together for the NCAA tournament."
On facing off with Michigan State "There is great tradition within this program here at Michigan State. We are happy to be here and thrilled to play a very strong program with great coaches."
On what he expects from his team on Friday "I'm hoping they play hard. I think if they come out and show some poise, we can make a good showing and do some good things. I think that we've had a pretty good season and we're getting better every day. So, I'm hoping the shock of being in a tournament like this for the first time isn't overwhelming for them and they just enjoy it."
Michigan State Head Coach Chuck Erbe
On being in the tournament for the 10th consecutive season "It's a great sense of accomplishment to know that we are one of a few programs that have 10 or more consecutive years in the NCAA Tournament. I think that is something our players, our staff and our department can all be very proud of."
On what it means to be hosting the tournament "It's great to host. We haven't done this since 1998. We have an outstanding volleyball community and I hope that we'll have great crowds here for all the teams to play in front of. We are very optimistic and but also realistic about what we have to do to advance through this first and second round."
On what he expects from his team on Friday
"I expect an all-out performance. This is what we've worked for all season, it was definitely one of our goals. Your first goal is what you want to do in your conference. You second goal is to make the tournament and to progress as far as you can in the tournament. We have a lot to live up to. We were a Sweet Sixteen team last year and I know that we'd like to achieve that again. There are a couple of teams that have a lot to do with how that turns out for us.
"Dayton is an outstanding opponent on Friday night. Our best players are going to have to play like best players. In order for us to do well we are going to have to pass well and we're going to have to attack well, which is something that we have struggled with lately. We went through a number of matches where our attack percentages were over 30 percent and that is something that we're going to have to do again tomorrow night. Wins and losses really come down to hitting percentages."
Nebraska Head Coach John Cook
On returning to the Big Ten and Michigan State
It reminds me of my old days at Wisconsin when I got to come to East Lansing. I remember how Jenison Field House was then, and it seems like they've spruced it up every year. It's a great place to play volleyball."
On four consecutive years in the NCAA as Nebraska's head coach and 22 consecutive Cornhusker appearances
"Those are the expectations. Our goal every year is to compete for the National Championship. We have to win two matches here in order to have a shot at that. So that's how we're approaching this weekend."