Nov. 16, 2008
Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery 
Head Coach Craig Skinner
On his excitement level after the win…
“As a coach you think about Auburn next. We have to play them at Auburn and they gave Florida a battle last time. We now have an opportunity to share the conference championship, but as this team has done all year it is one step at a time. I think that I left my joy in the locker room. We had a few moments together as a team, and it was exciting for us.”
On his team’s character…
“One of our words for this team is `trust.’ I think that my players believed in one another and trusted the system and their ability to execute plays at the end. It was one of the calmest demeanors that we have had. Even though we got blitzed in the second game, I was proud of the way we stuck to it and executed. In the fifth game we really took it to them and took the win from them. They didn’t give it to us.”
On Sarah Rumely’s play…
“She is a big-time player and you like to see those players step-up at the right moments. She was in the huddle talking about the game plan saying we need to execute, stick together and believe in each other. I think that she trusted some people who aren’t necessarily the highest statistical leaders, but they got the job done too. When your leader trusts everybody that permeates through the group.”
On the crowd…
“If that is not exciting volleyball then I don’t know what is. I would hope that they would all want to come back. We have a big game at home against Tennessee the Friday after Thanksgiving, and if we get the opportunity to host an NCAA Tournament game I would love to see a big crowd again. The fans were incredible and I am sure there were some people out there that didn’t know a lot about volleyball, but their energy and excitement for the Big Blue was very evident today.”
Kentucky Players
#20, Queen Nzenwa
On the very loud 3,512 fans that came out to support the Wildcats…
“I have to thank them for everything they did. I thank them for coming out and supporting us. That is the best crowd that we have had all season, and they were a big part of this win.”
On what made the momentum turn between sets three and four…
“We went into the locker room and knew that we had to come out and win this game. We got a pep talk from Coach Skinner as always. It was good to come out in my last chance to play Florida and show them what I can do. I am very proud of this team.”
#6, Lauren Rapp
On the excitement in the locker room after the game…
“It was crazy. We were all jumping up and down. Even Coach Skinner came in yelling, so there was definitely a party in the locker room.”
On what was going through her mind on that last kill that won the match…
“It wasn’t real to me. I had to look at the scoreboard to make sure that we wereonly going to 15. It is something that I will never forget and it will be replayedin my head over and over again. I am just so excited. As a kid you always lookat all the great athletes that play well in tough situations and you never imaginethat it could be you.”
#7, Sarah Rumely
On when the momentum changed in the match…
“I can’t pinpoint an exact moment in my head, but when everything started to click we all started believing and it started going on way. We kept fighting and that definitely was the difference.”
On the excitement level in the locker room after the game…
“It was something that would never be created again. We were jumping up and down cheering and hugging each other. We were so excited for what we have accomplished as a team. We won this for the program that has struggled to beat them in the past, because Florida is such a good program. This is one of those great moments that you will never forget. You will never be able to replay everything that happened back in your mind. But, it will stick with you forever. This is such an exciting time for Kentucky volleyball and the state of Kentucky.”
