UK ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
NCAA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
DEC. 3, 2021
MEMORIAL COLISEUM – LEXINGTON, KY.
Illinois Head Coach Chris Tamas
Opening statement …
“It’s nice to come out with a win. I think West Virginia played a heck of a match, and they came out swinging in lots of different places. I think after that first match, we settled in a little bit more and got it going from the service line. Then we got some important plays, whether it be a scramble play or a big block. We are used to having these back-and-forth matches in the Big Ten, so it’s what we face every night. Hats off to West Virginia for pushing us to the limits.”
On wanting to make noise during the tournament …
“The toughest part is making it here. To go through a conference where you’ve got seven teams in the top-25 and five or six teams in the top-15, you’re going to play in front of thousands of fans no matter what. To be able to make the tournament and compete at the highest stage, we’re thrilled to do it. I feel like this is a couple years in the making.”
Illinois Student-Athletes
#3, Taylor Kuper, Senior, Defensive Specialist
On what the team showed tonight …
“I think we are just trying to take it one day at a time and one play at a time. West Virginia is a great team, and I thought the matchup was great. I think our coaches do a great job in preparing us well and putting us in good places in defense. I will say, they did a great job on handling our serves which we take great pride in. They are a great team and I’m just happy we came out with a win.”
On overcoming adversity during the first set …
“I think we just said to play within ourselves, and maybe they would come down a little bit. We were able to settle down and get it going.”
#12, Raina Terry, Sophomore, Outside Hitter
On playing in her first NCAA Tournament …
“It was a lot of fun. It was definitely a lot of pressure, but we always face a lot of pressure. I had a little bit of jitters in the first set, but they were able to calm down after that.”
On the potential of playing the defending national champions tomorrow night …
“I’m just looking forward to that battle. I know our team is the most competitive people I’ve ever met, so I know if that happens, we’re going to come out on top.”
On having 18 kills and her dynamic with teammate Diana Brown …
“Diana [Brown] is an awesome setter and an amazing teammate. It wasn’t just me and Diana, it was our middles and Meg [Cooney] who did a great job at holding the block, which opened a lot of one-on-one opportunities for me.”
UK ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
NCAA VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
DEC. 3, 2021
MEMORIAL COLISEUM – LEXINGTON, KY.
West Virginia Head Coach Reed Sunahara
Opening statement …
“Congrats to Illinois for advancing. It’s not the way we wanted to end, but I’m proud of our players and our program for getting to the tournament and then making it this far. They made history and I’m proud of them for working hard and getting us here.”
Closing remarks …
“Thank you to everyone for making this experience memorable. UK is a great place and all you guys back here made this happen, so thank you.”
West Virginia Student-Athletes
#2, Kristin Lux, Senior, Outside Hitter
On this being her last game …
“It’s kind of bittersweet. It has been a long ride. I came in as a freshman and talked to Reed [Sunahara] about building a legacy and making history. It happened, and that’s what I came here to do. I’m really grateful for the experience. I’m grateful for the fact that this team just did what we wanted to do. We made so much history throughout the season, especially with this tournament. It’s not the outcome I’d love, but it was a great ride.”
#18, Adrian Ell, Fifth-Year, Outside Hitter
On the season the team had …
“Coming in, Reed [Sunahara] and I talked about this dream and this goal that we had to go to the tournament. To make that happen in the first year – I am so proud of these girls. I know that they’ve worked hard all four years. It has not been easy, and it didn’t just happen in one season. It took a lot of building and a lot of hard work, and I couldn’t be more excited and prouder of how far we’ve come this year and we’ll continue to build on it in years to come.”
