Sept. 21, 2004

Winston-Salem, N.C. -

Q: Talk about the season so far

VB: We've had a great start. We've had three tournaments getting ready to go into ACC play this weekend. Our only losses have come to ranked teams, so that's a first for us. Last year we were mentioned at the selection show that we were a bubble team, unfortunately, we had a hard loss at the end of the season that kind of cost us a trip to the tournament. Our upperclassmen realize the importance of the end of the season and the last 10 matches and we are much more focused and determined this year to finish stronger. I think we have the potential to do that.

Q: You are entering ACC competition this weekend. How do you feel about facing Maryland and Virginia?

VB: Virginia and Maryland both have very strong teams. Maryland is the defending ACC champion, while Virginia is a young team, with one outside hitter that has performed really well for them. We have a senior right side that will match up against Virginia, so hopefully experience will weigh out. As far as Maryland goes, they have two strong middles that are returning for them and if we can get Valerie Rydberg's serve going, then we should be ok.

Q: How do you feel about starting conference competition against two tough teams?

VB: I think it's a confidence thing for one. If we come away this weekend with two wins, our girls will be much more confident playing the rest of the ACC.