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Virginia Women’s Basketball
NCAA Tournament Selection Show Quotes
March 17, 2008
Head Coach Debbie Ryan
On the team’s No. 4 seed:
“I thought it was a great draw for us simply because of location and the fact that we get to stay fairly close. We had a really great opportunity to garner some respect from the committee, and as I have said all year, it didn’t matter what we were ranked. I knew the people on the committee were paying attention to us. I have seen them here at games. I couldn’t be happier with the fact that this group of young women was rewarded the way they were tonight.
On finding out their seed, opponent and location right away:
“I think we knew we were going to be on the board but it was exciting for it to come up early because then you can just relax and watch the show. You don’t have to worry about who is up there and who isn’t up there.
“We had an idea we might stay close if the seeds broke down the way they did. With Old Dominion winning their conference the other night, I knew they would be a three-four-five, in that area. I thought they might try to keep somebody from this region here so we could help with the attendance and stuff like that. I am just really pleased that it is us and we get to have some fans in Norfolk.”
On the region as a whole with UConn, Rutgers, California, etc:
“You can’t look any farther than one game. There is absolutely no guarantee in the NCAA Tournament. I don’t care whether you are playing at home, away, upside down, inside out. It doesn’t matter. You can only go one team at a time. You have to take your time and be ready to play.”
On the atmosphere in Norfolk:
“The atmosphere down there is going to be great regardless of who is in the second round. If we are fortunate enough to get to the final game, I think a lot of Virginia people will find a way down there and that would be awesome for us.”
Senior guard Sharne Zoll
On the team earning a No. 4 seed:
“I was looking for a five or six, especially since we really weren’t ranked all year, until the end. But I am really excited and really anxious to play.”
On playing in Norfolk:
“It’s good for our preparation because we won’t have to leave as early. We’ll be in a more familiar setting. Also just being close to home and being in the same time zone. When you have to play in a different time zone, sometimes it takes a few days to adjust.
Being right here is really good for us.
On being the only team member to have played in the NCAA Tournament and what advice she’ll give her teammates:
“We can’t take possessions off. Every possession is going to matter because if you lose, you’re done. There is no tomorrow. That is the main thing I will preach. There has to be a sense of urgency. I have been feeling like that all year. You never know what day is going to be your last. Every game is the last of something. I don’t want this to be my last game.
Junior forward Lyndra Littles
On what the moment was like when Virginia was called:
“It was exciting. I am not really all that excited yet, but I will be when we get there, and I realize I am playing in the NCAA Tournament. It’s going to be a nice change from playing in the WNIT every year I have been here. I am looking forward to it.”
On knowing early in the selection show:
“I wasn’t jittery or anything. I knew we were going to be in. I was more interested in knowing where we were going and who we were going to play.
On playing in Norfolk:
“I was telling everybody earlier I wanted to be in Norfolk. All of my family can come down and I have a lot of friends in that area so hopefully they can come down and watch us play. I hope a lot of Virginia fans will be there.”
Sophomore guard Monica Wright
On earning a No. 4 seed:
“When they showed Virginia up on the screen, we were just all excited about the opportunity. I am waiting for Sunday to come around so we can show people who we are.”
On playing in her first NCAA Tournament:
“It’s just an experience you’ll never forget. Something that you can live on and tell people, I remember when we went to the NCAA Tournament in 2008.’”
On the team’s potential:
“I feel like we are all peaking at the right time as a team. Everybody is picking it up and keeps on improving as the year goes along. We are definitely going to be able to peak at the right time, when we need to.
On making a run in the tournament:
“We have been under the radar for a while. This is definitely a breakout year where we can prove some things and show people what we are all about. Every game is on TV so you can’t miss anything. As long as we focus on ourselves and what we have to do, there is no doubt in my mind that we will be successful.”