Texas Tech University Athletics
Weekly Press Conference
June 21, 1999 | Women's Volleyball
September 28, 1998
LUBBOCK, Texas - WEEKLY PRESS CONFERENCE (September 28, 1998)
Quoting Texas Tech Volleyball head coach Jeff Nelson
Opening Comments: "We had an interesting weekend. I felt like our matches were good. We had opportunities- we came out strong and got a big lead right away but then we stopped playing. Thats the wierd thing about our sport is that the momentum changes back and forth constantly. Ours just stopped. It was like we ran into a wall. It seemed like the harder wed try, the worse it would get. It wasnta great match. I thought we could have gotten a better performance out of our more experienced players. Bad got worse and one of our freshmen who plays quite a bit, Emily Brengman, went down with an ACL tear. Its definitely an ACL tear and will be out for the rest of the season. Her surgery is next week and as young as she is, we need to get her fixed and back on the court. She needs to be on the court playing for us next year.
"Some good things happened. Lisa Hilgers became the all-time career digs leader and we retired Jill Burness jersey on Friday night. That was a significant event from a standpoint in terms of the volleyball program, she was a premier player. We focus on our academics also and the combination of the two things have really brought her to the forefront of the program and were proud of that."
"Saturday night against Texas, we did a little better, played a little better and did a good job. We went to about 9-9 in the first game then we kind of shut down. For the first time, we battled back in game two and actually led 13-7 and had four or five or six opportunities to score when we had game point at 14-13 and 15-14. We had a little fear of putting it away and didnt go after it the way I felt we should have. If we lose, were going to go down swinging and not tipping the ball over the net. We actually did a good job of controlling their players except for Demetria Sance, whose their All American and candidate for national player of the year."
"Were going to practice today, then play at SMU on Wednesday night. Theyre much improved at 9-5 right now. Lisas doing a good job there. From there, we go to Missouri on Friday night and that should be a tough match because theyre much improved. Then we go to Iowa State. After this week, we should be fired up and ready to go after it. Were going to spend this week competing hard."
On the 25th national ranking and where Texas Tech will be this week: "We wont fall that far out of the polls. Teams above us lost. Florida State lost three matches to unranked teams. Some other teams lost- Ohio State among others. Looking at it, well come about probably 26th or 27th tomorrow. If we get back on track, well get back in. I think every time we get in, we feel comfortable about it and we go in and out and in and out. Id rather forget it existed for awhile. Its a good guage as to where you sit and its good for recruiting."
