November 30, 1998

LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech Volleyball Press Conference Monday, November 30, 1998

Quoting Texas Tech head volleyball coach Jeff Nelson

On the last weekend of the regular season: "We played at Kansas and Oklahoma this week and we played really well. Offensively we did some great things. I was a little nervous about the Kansas match because we played really well and beat them badly the first time and theyre a better team than what we saw. We got out there and played well and hit over .300. Lori Garber had a big night for us. We were able to control them in the middle and get that done. We jumped on Oklahoma early and got after it. Lori had another big night and so did Lisa Hilgers. We had a good night there. We started the match really well and we looked at their defense and I told Lisa to just set the ball over the net and she did and it kind of caught them off guard. That was the way the rest of the match went. It went our way and we controlled things. Lori Garber put up big numbers for us. Sonia Moric and Kristen Holmes also both had good weekend. We had a bout with the flu last week but I think well get over it for the week to come."

On the upcoming tournament:

"We drew Ohio State in the first round. Its a tough match because the Big 10 is just like the Big 12. If you dont play well and everyones good, you just cant take anything for granted. Theyre led by outside hitter Rosie Snow. She has almost 500 kills and is ranked in the top -20 in the nation in kills per game. They also have some other people putting up big numbers for them. Its going to be a lot like playing a Kansas State or Texas A&M for us. Weve got to be ready and play tough. I think if we do that, we have a good opportunity to advance and maybe play Florida. It would give us a rematch with Florida from back in 1995s second round. Our players- the four seniors who played in that match- would look forward to that. Its a tough draw. We still feel like we shouldve won that match. Were really going to focus on Ohio State but well use that as motivation to get another shot at Florida. Ohio State is very good."

On the tournament draw:

"Its an interesting draw for Florida. Theyve got one of the two teams that has beaten them all year in Ohio State in their bracket along with another nationally ranked team in Texas Tech. I think its really interesting that a No. 1 seed would be put in that position. Im not really sure how that happens. As much as were saying we have a tough draw, Florida is saying, What did we do to deserve this? We just want our shot at them. Ohio State beat them 3-2 earlier this year in a tournament. Theyll probably be cheering for Ohio State because they want another shot to beat them."

On going into the tournament having won seven of its last nine matches:

"This last half of the Big 12 is the best weve played in the four-year period since Ive been here. Weve made some changes to make us a better team all-the-way around. Our play has become steady. Our blocking has been the best since Ive been here in four years. Our passing has been great. Lisa runs the middle better than anyone out there."

Quoting Texas Tech senior setter Lisa Hilgers

On the what it would be like to play Florida:

"I think it would be a great match. Four of us were there three years ago and knowing that it was a close match, it would be great to go back and play them again."

On the possibilities of ending her career at Texas Tech:

"Knowing that my career is coming to an end, its kind of a scary thought. All five of us realize that and well play as hard as we can this weekend. Well go into this tournament with our best.