Post-Game Quotes - Washington vs. Kentucky
November 30, 2002 | Women's Basketball
Nov. 30, 2002
Women's Basketball vs Kentucky 11/30/02
Coach June Daugherty
On Winning Tourney Title: "We're definitely very excited about winning this game and this tournament. There's no doubt that this was a statement game for us. We talked about coming into the championship game and how important it was to play well as a team and get it done and I'm just really pleased with the total team effort again tonight."
On Post Play: "I think our posts need to be complimented. I think they did a very good job on their inside post players and for a team to out rebound a team with that type of athleticism shows that we're really moving in the right direction. So we're very excited about the total team effort and the progress that we're making."
On Team Defense: "We did a much better job on the two areas we talked about last night. To get out on those wings and not allow that middle penetration and to get big on the glass. And those two gave us great results with a win over a very good SEC team."
On Guard Play: "The guards have been challenging themselves since that [Texas] Tech game. I just thought the improvement in the last four or five days since that game and the commitment that the guards have made to making sure they're not allowing the penetration and making them have to go to a secondary offense or option definitely affected them. I think another thing is our guards were big on the glass tonight and that's so important because we've got to get on the glass if we want to get into a running game."
On Unselfish play: "I'm real proud of the way we're playing as a team. I think it's never been a question of selfishness, I think it's more a question off just understanding how to make a defense work and how to manage the shot clock especially with that kind of lead."
On Gioconda Mendiola: "She played a great game and she had a lot of energy about her. She's really excited for her teammates and I really thought she made so much happen. I thought the other thing, talking about the guards stepping up and having to play their guards, I thought that she in particular took it personal and really came up with some big steals and stops for us."
Forward Andrea Lalum
On style of play: "We're more patient, we're definitely looking for the best opportunity we have to score. Individually, each one is smart enough to know if it's a good opportunity. We're patient enough and unselfish enough to give it to the next person and we definitely crashed the boards.
On inside-outside game: "That was more of a recent development. In the second half they definitely came down and pressured the post and gave us the opportunity to go inside out and that gave the guards more three-point opportunities. It's being more aware of where your teammates are at and knowing if you have the open shot or not.
On post play: "That's something we've always prided ourselves on, to be strong in the post. Since there's only four of us this year, we definitely have to rely on one another and depend on one another, so we definitely need to make a presence down low, defending and rebounding most of all.
Guard Giuliana Mendiola
On her sister's play: "It's awesome, I know what my sister is capable of and she definitely did her thing. I know when I'm on the court with her, when she penetrates, I'm roaming around the basket because she knows where I am. She's definitely looking for me. She played really good though and I'm proud of her.
On winning the tournament: "It was huge, past year was pretty disappointing losing it. Disappointing for the fans and us I'm sure, but this year we had something to prove. We came out strong, sometimes when we have a slow start we don't play as well throughout the game."
On receiving MVP award: "I think it's a credit to my teammates, they have a lot of confidence in me, the coach has such great confidence in me when I'm on the court. They look for me to take my shots and they trust me with the ball."
On more playing more aggressive offensively: "I thought last year I hesitated too much, it wasn't a matter of me just not shooting when I had the shots. I just didn't take them. This year I have confidence in my shot, I'm looking to shoot. I think if I'm more aggressive offensively, things will open us for my teammates."
