Postgame Quotes: Virginia vs. Team Concept (Exhibition)

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Women’s Basketball vs. Team Concept
Monday, November 5

Virginia Head Coach Debbie Ryan
Opening Statement:
“They played hard out there. Aisha (Mohammed) looked like an All-American for a while. I thought we played very well defensively in spots. Not the whole game, but in some spots of the game.”

On the early part of the game:
“We didn’t start off very well. Then we picked it up in the middle of the first half and carried it through the game. And second half they only shot 33 percent so I was glad to see that. And that’s what we really focus on: how well we do defensively.

“The team played a little too fast in the beginning, but that’s why you play exhibition games, so you can get the jitters out and be ready for primetime when it comes.”

On Aisha Mohammed:
“Aisha Mohammed is the real deal. Pound for pound, she is so much muscle. You saw how well she finishes under the basket. Her hands are active and she catches everything, and she is just a real presence in there. You can’t discount her, and, if someone wants to double her then they could go ahead, because you have Lyndra Littles on one side and you got Kelly Hartig on the other side.

“Aisha’s body is very much like (former Cavaler) Wendy Palmer’s power game. Aisha is such a strong player. I’ve never had a player as strong as her before.”

On freshman Kelly Hartig:
“I thought Kelly Hartig played very well tonight for her first game in college, and she really showed a lot of presence out there. She has picked up the defense fairly well and I feel pleased with her playing here tonight as well.”

Senior guard Sharne Zoll
On the season:
“I’m really excited about this year. As you can see, I’m surrounded by a ton of athletes, a ton of talent, a ton of potential. I just can’t wait for all of it to unfold.

“We have to take it game by game, and keep working to get better. We have a lot to work on. We compete in practice and that is what is going to make us better every single day.”

On the team being more experienced:
“Last year, it was the new players Monica (Wright) and Paulisha (Kellum) were all naive to situations. They had basketball experience, but they didn’t have college basketball experience, which is a big difference. You can tell the maturity now in them with knowing what to do and what not to do. Monica has become a great leader as well.”

Junior Center Aisha Mohammed
On returning to the court:
“I’m very happy to be here with my teammates. I was so angry last year being unable to play because I was injured, but I’m happy to be here right now, and we are going to come together as a team with spirit and play the game.”