Virginia vs. Alaska Anchorage Postgame Quotes

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Postgame Quotes (Exhibition)
Virginia 69, Alaska Anchorage 57
Nov. 5, 2011
John Paul Jones Arena

Virginia Head Coach Joanne Boyle
On the game:
“It was exciting just to get out there and get the uniforms on. I think we did a pretty good job in the first half but just came out flat in the second. It was a momentum shifter, and we got really tentative on offense. I was proud that the kids came to a point in the game where they said, ‘no more,’ and people stepped up. We made a couple of shots, and then the momentum came back our way. It was a good first game, but I think we have a lot to learn and a lot to work on for our opener on Friday.”

On the Alaska Anchorage taking the lead in the second half:
“We just needed to settle down offensively. They make a few shots, and then everybody feels like they can’t make a shot. The middle was wide open, so we needed be aggressive, take shots, make some really good dump-down passes to our other posts and make some lay-ups. We got fouled, went to the free-throw line, and I think they just settled down. I think the big thing was coming out flat in the second half; it just prevented us from carrying over our momentum from the first half.

On her team:
“The great thing about the team is that when I came in and they had great chemistry with each other and that always makes it easier. They were very willing to buy in. They walked into practice every day, deer in headlights, and they were willing to do whatever we asked of them. We’re trying to make it fun and competitive in practice but also work through things. We have a long way to go, but it’s a great start.”

Senior forward Chelsea Shine
On the game:
“It was really good to get back out here in our home gym under the lights. It felt like forever. We’ve been really excited to show off what we’ve been working on, which is a lot of new stuff. I was challenged to be more aggressive after our scrimmage. Guards were making good eye contact with me, so the transition was flowing. In the second half the middle was wide open, and once I realized that and the team realized that, it made it a lot easier for me to have open looks in the middle, or to dump down to the posts. I can give all the credit to my teammates for finishing. I know the guards would say the same thing to the posts. We give them the assists when we finish their passes, and the same thing for us.”

Junior guard China Crosby
On being a leader:
“I’m the point guard. Ariana (Moorer) and I are the floor generals. We need to lead the team on the floor. Coach Boyle is on the sideline, but we’re on the court. This is going to be a challenge for me, because I just want to have a complete, full, healthy year. That’s the only thing I’m kind of worried about. Now it’s time for me to chip in my leadership skills and be that floor general that I know I can be. I started off pretty good tonight, we just have to be smarter with our offense, and I have to be that gnat on defense. I need to get my teammates pumped up when they’re not feeling good, those are the times you need to lead your team.”