Day One Quotes - Penn State
2008 NCAA Men's Volleyball Tournament
April 30, 2008
2008 NCAA Men's Volleyball Tournament
Bren Center - Irvine, Calif.
May 1 & 3
Day One Quotes - Penn State
Head Coach - Mark Pavlik:
"We are coming off a year where we had some decent success in all aspects of our game. I think this weekend the word is familiarity. I don't think there is anything Ohio State has done that we haven't seen and conversely I don't think we have done anything Ohio State hasn't seen. This is our Big Ten rivalry.
Regarding the fact Ohio State has faced LBSU and PSU this season
"I think the Long Beach match showed us the ability to compete at a high level. We had Ohio State early in the year and then late in March. I think against Ohio State we had them at our place and were on a roll. We are just getting better, and better and better...from spring break until now."
Regarding George Mason loss
"I don't think our focus was ever on an undefeated season. We were following the idea of what is in front of us, whether it is practice or a game. We didn't do much talking about what we wanted to do in the future. They stayed pretty grounded. George Mason put us in the most hostel environments we played in this year. Had they gone out there on the national circuit and played a tougher schedule there would have been more upsets. I think the guys refocused and kept going one at a time."
Regarding setter Luke Murray
"His distribution has been what we wanted. He gets everyone involved in the offense. If you go back over the course of the season, Luke has been able to set it up where anyone can get the ball at crunch time. They know he is going to make some pretty good decisions. The one thing the team doesn't have to worry about is the second contact. Luke deflects the pressure a little bit."
Matt Anderson:
Regarding NCAA Tournament experience
" Experience comes with juggling our school work. We are in our last week of class with finals when we get back. We took care of all our classes last week so we can get out here and focus on the tournament."
Regarding Penn State-Ohio State matchup
"It is a friendly competition during the season, but now it is straight competition."
Luke Murray:
Regarding NCAA Tournament experience
"Going through the whole process of the championship weekend is a good experience. Having gone through it before allows us to focus on the game."
Regarding George Mason loss
"It gave us that hunger to not want to lose ever again. I think everyone was pretty well pissed off and it lit a fire under us again."
Max Holt:
Regarding Penn State-Ohio State matchup
" I feel we see Ohio State every month. Even though there is no Big Ten in volleyball, Penn State-Ohio State always factors into everything. We are pretty good friends with a few guys on the team."
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