Postgame Quotes: Virginia vs. NC State

Story Links

Postgame Quotes
Virginia 73, NC State 60
Jan. 27, 2010

Virginia head coach Debbie Ryan
Opening Statement
“We started off great in the first minute, but then did not play very well on the boards in the second half. I was really disappointed with that at halftime and really got on the team about it. I think they corrected it for the most part in the second half. It was not completely corrected but it was better. I sort of saw this coming the past two days of practice. We practiced very well, but we have not rebounded very well. We played out of it, and that is the most important thing. They did what they had to do. I thought NC State was shooting the ball great in the first half, and that we would have to come out and do a much better job defensively in the second half. I think that we did. We forced a lot of turnovers, and capitalized on those turnovers, which helped our shooting percentage.”

On improvement of shooting percentage in second half
“I just reminded them that shot selection is so key. I also thought Chelsea Shine had her best game of the season tonight. She took good shots, and she took the right shots. There were some people who were not taking good shots, and I actually took some people out when they were not taking good shots. It is just a matter of getting the right people taking the right shots at the right time.”

On Whitny Edwards’ back-to-back three-point shots
“They were huge. I really encouraged her at halftime to shoot the ball. She missed a couple and was short with her follow-through. She was tentative with the ball, but came back in with a much better resolve to shoot the ball when she was open.”

On coaching against NC State without Kay Yow
“Kay was a great friend and a great mentor. Honestly, Kay has not left me, and all the memories I have are right here. I do not feel as if she has left me at all. She is right here with me, and every lesson she ever taught me is going with me today. I feel very energized by the anniversary of her passing instead of sad because I know she left a legacy that would be impossible to supersede.”

Virginia Guard Monica Wright
On Whitny Edwards’ back-to-back three-point shots
“They were exactly what we needed after getting stops, and even better being in transition. They were electric and got the crowd in to it so they were just what we needed.”

On confidence in the rest of the team to step up
“That is a confidence every scorer wants. Today it was coming from all areas. We were in attack mode in the second half, and I feel like if we can turn that into a first half thing we would not have to dig ourselves out of that hole. It is comforting to know that if my shot is not falling and we need points then someone else will step up.”

Virginia Guard Whitny Edwards
On her play in the game
“I do not feel like I played very well in the first half. I was not aggressive enough on the boards and on defense. Coach Ryan talked to me at halftime about not being enough of a threat so I tried to focus on that coming into the second half.”

On her sister Britny’s play
“I think she came in to the second half and played really well. I was really proud of her. A lot of people stepped up tonight, and that was big for us.”