Colorado-Washington Quotes

Colorado Head Coach Pi'i Aiu

General
“I'm really proud of how we fought tonight, we got in as many long rallies in a match as I've seen us do all season. We came up a little bit short, we congratulate Washington and I congratulate the senior class including Amber Nu'u who isn't out here with us. They had a great career and I know they wanted to keep on playing.

“I think we fought with them up until 22-23 in the games that were close, and I kind of threw game one out. Most of the games we were right there with them, and I think that comes down to poise and confidence and tonight they may have had just a little bit more than we had. I'm not taking anything away from our kids either, I'd like to line them up again and take another shot at them and see what happens.”

On Coming Back From The First Game

“We got on them a little bit. You come out in a match like this and you play Washington, you play the defending National Champions, the Pac-10 runner-up and there is so much going through their heads that has nothing to do with volleyball. Different teams respond differently, and our team has responded well when we've gotten on them, so you either talk them through it or you get on them. We jumped on them a little bit and they responded and then it was just kids playing volleyball and that is what you want to get to every match, where you aren't playing anybodies reputation you are just playing volleyball with six other kids.”

On Amber Sutherland's Injury

“Yeah, I'm sure it hurt us, but we've been fighting different injuries all year. I think Amber (Nu'u) came in and did a good job. I think she struggled a little more in game four than in game three but she did a good job and I think that everybody on the team is real comfortable with her being out there. I don't think that anybody freaks out or that there was a drop in intensity, but also Amber (Sutherland) has been our leader all year, she is the kid we want to go to on important points and it is hard not having her out there.

“We let our training staff decide that as well as Amber, so if our trainer comes to me and says Amber is ready to go then I am going to play her. We tried to stay with Amber Nu'u for a while, but Amber (Sutherland) has been our go to player for a while so we tried to go with her.”

On Austin Zimmerman Having One Year of Eligibility Left

“I don't think she is planning on coming back, she has already taken her LSAP and applied to law school. We've certainly talked to her about it, and offered her whatever bribes we can. Within the rules of the NCAA, its just a little harder situation with her when you have an unanticipated red shirt year and you've already planned your life out which she had done. So, I'd guess you've seen the last of her, but certainly we'll leave the door open for her.”

On Next Year's Team

“I haven't really stopped looking at this season, I'm going to miss this season and I'm going to miss this team a lot. This team battled their hearts out, this is a team that wanted to play more volleyball. I just think this team was a really unique team in how they battled and how they showed heart. Like I said, this match had more long rallies than any that I've seen in a long time. That is a sign that both teams are battling out there, both teams are trying to make plays. I'm looking forward to next year, we are excited about it. Obviously, we have some big shoes to fill and I think you guys are going to be surprised in how we do that.”

Washington Head Coach Jim McLaughlin

On Colorado
“Colorado is a dangerous team, and I think they can get hot in a number of areas. I was most concerned after game two, because we obviously made a series of unforced errors.”

“They have two main characteristics: a real fast slide, faster than anyone in the country, and a different timing on the right side, with that lefty they have (RS Alex Buth). We did a set count on them, looked at the percentages, and said ?This is how we can beat them.'”

On concentrating on details after the game
“We won the match. That's what we're fired up about right now.”

On OH Christal Morrison, who is suffering from the flu
“She's been weak. She's been weak for about a week. We can get her home and she'll be alright.”

Colorado Players

Amber Sutherland, Jr., OH

General- “I don't really know what is going on, we have to go see the doctor, but there was just great hustle by everyone.”

“All my teammates know that I am a fighter and I am going to do everything for my team. If that means coming in, or if that means staying on the bench and letting Burly [Amber Nu'u] step up, and play the amazing game that she did. I'll do anything for my team no matter what, injured, hurt, I've been playing through stuff all year. This is the last game you can't hold anything back.”

On The Senior Class- “It's going to be hard to replace these girls. Each year it's so hard seeing all of them go. You have Ashley, [Nu'u] she's an amazing setter, she's going to go far. Austin, she's played her heart out, she worked hard all during the spring to try and get back here and put everything into the season. These girls have the biggest hearts I know. Amber [Nu'u] has been fighting through so much. Lara [Bossow] has given it her all. Every senior class, it's so hard to replace them. You won't ever get that back, so this whole year, so we have to do everything we can every single game.”

Ashley Nu'u, Sr., S

On The End Of Her Career- “It is difficult. I didn't think it would be this difficult. I think it's because these girls are so awesome and amazing teammates. I think that we left it all on the court tonight. I knew that we wanted it, that is why it is so bittersweet right now. I think we thought it was in our grasp, and it was. Washington is a great team. I think that they will go far in the tournament. I think we battled tonight, but unfortunately it didn't go our way. It wasn't a lack of heart.”

On Washington- “I just think these girls know how to win, and compete, and they have been together since club. They have great leaders on that team. They have just a fight about them. They're just a good team that is why they won the National Championship last year. It's just unfortunate because I think that they are beatable and we couldn't just quite jump on that, unfortunately. They're a great team and it was real fun tonight to compete. It's just a bummer to go out this way.”

Washington Players

Jessica Swarbrick, So., MB

On Playing at Home for Round Two- “It feels good to be able to go back home with our own fans and our own court.”

Courtney Thompson, Sr., S

General- “It was definitely a tough match on their home court and they're a great team. I thought last night was a tough match as well. In the tournament we've always said that anything can happen. They're all tough and they're all hopefully good for us and we're improving.”

On Rhythm- “As a setter, it's just about rhythm, putting up good balls for the hitters and letting them do the work and putting them in different positions. It has to do with passing and their block, my setting and their hitting. We stayed on it and we know what to do. It just comes down to execution. You make errors but if you're good, over time you're going to stabilize.”

On Being Back in Colorado for the Tournament- “We knew it was a tough road trip. We played Colorado State last year and that was tough and we knew that Colorado would play tough. The air is a little bit different, but you can't do much about it.”

On the Flu- “There's something going around on the team. Cristal [Morrison] had it the worst- no one else was over the trash can. We just need to get home and eat normal food and we'll be ok.”