Head Coach Al Scates

Opening Statement:

I¡¯m glad we¡¯re here and that we have a chance to reach our season-long goal. It¡¯s great to back in Happy Valley again. As far as our team goes, we¡¯re healthy. We got through our last practice without any injuries. Everybody¡¯s healthy so that¡¯s a good sign.

What¡¯s the secret to playing your best volleyball in May?

I think the secret is that when you¡¯re 5-9 you have a team that isn¡¯t pointing fingers and is still supporting each other and still showing up in the weight room working hard. I think it¡¯s about the individuals on the team. I continue to work them hard. In the long term that pays off. It¡¯s easy to peak a team; I know how to peak a team if they¡¯ll stay healthy and this team has cooperated.

Does the meeting you had with Penn State in Hawai¡¯i have any bearing at all on tomorrow night¡¯s match?

We were a completely different team and they couldn¡¯t pass at all so they¡¯re a completely different team too. They¡¯ve improved and we¡¯ve improved so I¡¯m not particularly interested in looking at the tape of that match. We brought it but I probably won¡¯t even look at it.

Do you think this tournament should be expanded?

Of course; we¡¯re the most under-represented sport in all of the NCAA. We¡¯ve got over 80 teams playing and there are only four teams that actually get to participate in the tournament. If we had 8 teams or 12 teams we would be under-represented. There are so many good teams out there that deserve to be in this tournament.

There will be no first team All-Americans on the floor tomorrow night. Do you think that¡¯s a testament to the importance of team volleyball?

Well when the coaches choose the All-Americans they typically look at the stats. Unfortunately our team shares the ball. Last night we had five players in double figures. At the end of the year we don¡¯t have anybody standing out in these categories. If you look at the stats everybody¡¯s absolutely right; we don¡¯t have any All-Americans on this team. All we want to do is have the best team in the country. We are a very good team and we¡¯ll find out tomorrow night if we¡¯re the best.

Sr., OH, Damien Scott

Given the hole you were in earlier in the season, how good does this feel?

Like coach said it was our season goal so we were all focused on that. My mom would ask me if we still had a chance and I never doubted us.

Does part of the reason you never doubted this team stem from the type of program UCLA is and has been?

With the chemistry we have as a team and how we¡¯re such good friends on and off the court and always have each others backs, I couldn¡¯t imagine this not happening. We want to uphold the legend and tradition that UCLA has also. I was on the team when we had the worst record ever and also on the team that had gone four years without ever winning a national title. I think that¡¯s on our minds but our chemistry when we go out there helps out and I think everyone else feels the same way and that we can pull through.

After playing so many road matches how different will be it be to play in front of a sold-out crowd?

I don¡¯t really hear the people; I just hear the noise and feel the energy. That¡¯s what makes me start playing. The UCI/Penn State game was so entertaining for us to watch last night. Everything that could happen happened. It went to five, they had the crowd going back and forth and everything was going on. It was a remarkable experience and I think that tomorrow night will be a great experience too.

Do you think you have the mental edge going into tomorrow night¡¯s game after winning fairly-easily in three games?

I don¡¯t think so. They had two more games of practice to fine tune all their techniques. I think they have the advantage.

Sr., S Dennis Gonzalez

After missing most of the championships last year, how glad are you to be able to be here right now?

It¡¯s great. It¡¯s a second chance and not too many people would have that opportunity with many other programs. It¡¯s such a consistent program and we believe in ourselves. We don¡¯t have any All-Americans on the team, we have one honorable mention and we¡¯re still here. It¡¯s been a great team effort.

After playing so many road matches how different will be it be to play in front of a sold-out crowd?

We¡¯ve come out big in front of big crowds. I think we¡¯re going to step up; I have no doubt.