Colorado University Athletics
NCAA VB Tournament Quotes
December 08, 2014 | Volleyball
COLORADO BUFFALOES QUOTES
Head Coach Liz Kritza,
Nicole Edelman S, Taylor Simpson OH, Cierra Simpson DS/L
Head Coach Liz Kritza
(opening Statement)
“That was probably one of the more interesting, and highly contested matches thus far in the tournament and good luck to Colorado State as they advance. I want to point out the strength and perseverance of my players. Most teams would go down 0-2 against a strong team like CSU and they would probably not be able to get themselves back into it. This group of players did, and could, and really made a match out of it. That is a testament to who they are as competitors and as people, and although we are upset and disappointed, there is only one team at the end of the season that gets to have the press conference that gets to talk about winning. Everyone else talks about a great season, and for us we have a lot to talk about. This was a transformational season for our program history, institution history, and with all the postseason accolades coming in, these young ladies are a testament to where CU Buffaloes Volleyball is going and I am confident with it in their hands in the future.”
(on key moments in the game)
“There was a point where both teams were hitting above .300, and that is a function of the individual players' ability to score and some are the opponent's team defense. We talked about what we can do to slow them down offensively because they were getting too many points on the board too quickly. We gave away too many points and had some unforced errors and that helped them even more.”
(on CU's ability to fight back)
“They are winners, they have guts, and steel in their spine. They simply refused to just let it go. We didn't play our best volleyball today, and we are honest with each other and we didn't. There is a lot of volleyball to be played for those coming back, and we sent off our seniors very respectfully in the locker room. We didn't play our best volleyball today, and that's okay for the players and coaches to be honest with each other. The expectation for this program is different. We all want to win a national championship; you have to want to fight back and have steel in your spine. You have to be able to take control of matches when you have advantages over teams. This is a hard lesson learned, but they gave us everything they had, they emptied their tanks. We had to make some adjustments and it became about who used their talented athletes to the best of their ability and who was most consistent.”
(on the playing environment)
“To have thousands of people sitting in that gym watching, that was a fantastic environment. For our fans, staff and administrators who came in support, we thank you. Sometimes in collegiate athletics you don't get that type of environment, but for volleyball that was a very big night.”
Taylor Simpson (OH)
(on her performance)
“I mean it stinks, but my performance is a testament to how much I need my team. I could not do it without them and I am going to miss them a lot.”
(on the tough competition between the teams)
“Their outside hitters were unstoppable for us. We didn't expect them (CSU) to hit as well as they did, and we may have overlooked them a little bit, but best of luck to them in the regional.”
Cierra Simpson (DS/L)
(on what was said in the locker room)
“It was sad, it was emotional, but mostly it was a huge thank you to the seniors who were the backbone of this team this season. For the players returning it's about starting over, turning another page and getting ready for next season.”
Nicole Edelman (S)
(on being down early)
“Of course it was the emotional talk and the technical. Technically it was, 'who do we need to slow down, and what changes do we need to make on our side of the floor.' The emotional, it was, 'do-or-die.' We have come back before and it's not fun to lose in five, but we have had the ability to in a playoff game to force a five-setter.”
