Post Game Press Conference vs USC: Thompson, Clarkson, Lawson
Postgame quotes from Tina Thompson, London Clarkson and Kaydan Lawson
UVA Coach Tina Thompson Quotes
Opening Statement:
“Well, I think I can assume that everybody would make the assumption that we’re not feeling good right now. Today as a whole, it was not a correct representation of who we are. We’ve got to get better. Our effort has to be continuous from the start to the finish of the game. We cannot be motivated by instant successes. Basketball is a game of runs and there are going to be ups and downs. And when the momentum is not in our favor, we have to kind of buckle down and defend and be tougher and raise our level of intensity so that we can get the momentum in our favor.”
On if there are growing pains in finding the teams identity:
“I can definitely say that cohesion is part of it, but it’s not the total landscape of it all. It is partially that but it is also continuous effort. I’m not going to make excuses for the outcome of this game today. My team could have been better. I know that and we know that and I’m giving them this evening to kind of sit in the feelings of this moment. When we come back to practice tomorrow or the following day, we’re going to have to come back with a different attitude. We’re going to have to be in work mode and we’re going to have to get back to you know how we were working in the very beginning. For sure it is not easy to be down 0-2 when you felt like you should be 2-0, and that the outcome of the game should be different. But the reality is that it is what it is. In order to change that we have to be willing to do the work to do something about it.”
On what it means to have her alma mater here:
“Well, I’m appreciative. You know, coming from Los Angeles to Charlottesville was a very long trip, but we’re committed to continue at this point to play each other. I appreciate the coaching staff and just being committed to playing the games. My foundation and a big reason why I’m in this position is what I learned in my experience at Southern Cal, so to continue to have a relationship where they’re willing to play us and we’re willing to play them, It’s great. I think that it gives both teams a different experience. I know that we did not travel east a lot when I was in school, so to have those young women be able to come and experience Charlottesville, I think it’s a really cool life experience. And I hope that we continue to be able to do that. I have a lot of relationships on that side so to see them in my new home is pretty cool.”
On being back in JPJ in front of a home crowd:
“I think it’s always a good thing to be in JPJ. It’s where we spend most of our time. It’s a wonderful place. It’s a great arena to be able to play in. I definitely think that our kids feed off of our fans and people showing up to root us on and watch us compete. We have to show them that we have the same appreciation by continuing to work and have better efforts.”
Virginia Player Quotes
Guard Kaydan Lawson
On her contributions coming off of the bench:
“Coming off the bench I definitely saw that offensively we needed to have more composure and slow down and see what USC was presenting defensively. Defensively, for us, I know just being in the gaps, helping our teammates, especially down in the post and knowing the schemes of our defense, that’s what we needed to do. That’s what I tried to contribute coming off of the bench.”
Forward London Clarkson
On how she looks to lead the team going forward:
“For me that means coming into practice tomorrow with a good attitude and good energy. I think we can learn a lot from this game. Watching film, going over our plays, being ready, and being better for tomorrow. Like she [Head coach Tina Thompson] said, she’s giving us this time to really think about it. Tomorrow we’ve got to be ready. We’ve got to be better. I have got to be leading by example.”