March 18, 2007

Head Coach Sue Semrau:

(Opening statement) "We're excited to advance to the second round. We're familiar with Stanford from a year ago. I think both teams are very different though, obviously Stanford is a year older with tremendous players. Candice Wiggins is one of the best players we've played against all year long. She wore us out last year; she's a great player. Brooke Smith is a great player as well and we're very familiar with her as well. We feel like our styles are completely different, it will be interesting to see those two styles match up tomorrow night."

(Differences in Stanford last year versus this year) "Stanford's most productive players are a year older. We graduated five seniors, which gives us a much different look. They're just so tremendously balanced. They have a lot of talent; it doesn't just end with Candice Wiggins and Brooke Smith. Jayna Appel is a great freshman talent. Looking at what Cissy Pierce was able to do yesterday. You could just go down the line. They're just so well coached. They are disciplined, they're tough, and they rebound. I just can't say enough about how impressed I am with their team."

(Stanford on their home court) "NCAA has taken great steps towards getting to neutral courts by having predetermined sites. It is what it is; we've played on other people's home courts all year long. It is an obstacle we need to overcome, but home is where the hoop is, I think they say."

Mara Freshour:

(Home court advantage for Stanford) "Obviously, when the draw comes out you hope for a neutral court, but that's not always given to you. They're going to have their home crowd and their home fans, and it's going to be loud. But that's just something we're going to have to deal with. That doesn't change the way you play just cause they have more fans than you. We're excited and we're just going to play."

(Last years experience against Georgia and having a 'neutral court') "All those prior games prepare you for this. I think that as a team one of the most satisfying things to quiet a crowd. That's just what we're looking to do."

(What you learned against playing Stanford last year and Brooke Smith) "Last year and this year they're very similar. We're a little more athletic. They're a little slower and more methodical, but they're also very smart and disciplined. Those are some things we're just going to have to deal with. Brooke Smith, we've got Ice (Alicia Gladden) starting against her she's going to do a great job at shutting her down and play some tough defense on her. We're going to be physical and push them out and get them off their track."

Alicia Gladden:

(Jayna Appel and Candice Wiggins) "Well, with Candice we're just going to keep her from doing the things she likes. They are pretty deep in the post so we are going to try to come in and be a strong post for us and use their height to our advantage. And with the freshman (Jayna) we have to play the same way as the other post, we have to play them all the same."

(Home court advantage for Stanford) "We've had to overcome that obstacle, I mean everybody has to play on somebody else's home court. It's just something you have to work on, avoiding the crowd and just getting into it. You can't help where you play. Stanford is a great place to play."

(Last years experience against Georgia and having a 'neutral court') "We are very used to playing on a court that is made to their advantage."