March 17, 2007

Recap | Box Score

NCAA Women's Basketball Post-Game Press Conference Quotes Stanford University, March 17, 2007

Gonzaga Bulldogs

Head Coach Kelly Graves:

Opening Thoughts:
"First of all, I want to congratulate Middle Tennessee, Coach Rick Insell. They are a great basketball team that we made look a lot better. I was very impressed. We have not seen pressure like that since we played North Carolina, which was months ago. I was very impressed though. That was a good basketball team. At the same time, we didn't play our best game tonight, but I'm really proud of our team, especially these two, who led us all year. I know it's tough to say now, but this one game doesn't take away from a great season. We're going to learn from it, hopefully and hopefully we'll be back many times in the future."

On what he said to his two seniors when he pulled them from the game at the end:
"Number one, I just let them know that I loved them. We've been through a lot together. I'm very proud of them. I wanted them to get a little recognition as they came out of the game. They've meant a lot to our program. I don't think you are going to find two better people than those two. They're good friends; life-long friends. I took a team, three years ago, to their first NCAA Tournament, Saint Mary's College. I told these two that they always remember the first. They'll have a special place in the hearts of Gonzaga fans and the Spokane Community. I was really proud of them. That's tough to say after we just got blitzed, but they're two special women."

On Chrissy Givens:
"You just don't see players like that every day. I thought she was the one that really set the tone. We had to change some things up right at the get-go. We didn't have any answers for her tonight. Once we finally got her under control a little bit, then the floodgates were open. Lots of people were feeling good. I think, obviously, that's a team that feeds on her. But, they have a lot of weapons. You have those kids knocking down threes. Actually, I thought we defended the three pretty well tonight. She's a very special player. No question."

On Amber Holt:
"They're very athletic. They talk about being undersized, but rebounding has nothing to do with size. It has to do with determination, grit toughness and going after it every time. I think she definitely brings that. I thought both those inside players did tonight. Their four and their number one both did a very good job. We normally are a little better on the boards, but they took it to us tonight."

On what areas he wants to continue to improve on:
"I think a lot of areas. This has been coming. We've been building it. We've put ourselves in a position now to dictate our success year in and year out, much like Middle Tennessee has done. People forget that experience matters. This is our first time here and we played like it. Thirty-seven turnovers isn't going to win us any ball games. They played like they've been here before and done this and there's not substitution for experience. I think we just got to get better in all faces of the game. Our recruiting has certainly been excellent. We have some great players sitting on the bench that'll be ready for us next year. I anticipate that this isn't going to be the last people see of Gonzaga. I'm proud of us. This is just a stepping stone. I think the future's pretty bright."

Stephanie Hawk:

On her collegiate career and this being her last collegiate game:
"First of all, this was just a great experience. This is what you work for all year. You constantly work to make the NCAA Tournament. It was our first appearance. It wasn't a great one, but I'm hoping the younger girls will be able to learn from it and come back next year and advance further than we did this year. This whole experience has been amazing. I've just had a blast with these girls. I'm just really excited that we made it."