Baylor Coaches Media Luncheon -- 11/11/03
11/11/2003 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 11, 2003
WACO, Texas - Three of Baylor's head coaches spoke to the media at Tuesday's press luncheon. Below are excerpts from their comments.
Head Volleyball Coach Brian Hosfeld:
On seeing Andrea Vakulya named Big 12 Player of the Week:
"We are coming off a good win against Iowa State, and it is good to see Andrea rewarded for some consistent play over the last few matches. I think she was hitting .400 or .500 the last few times out, and she had a great match against Iowa State."
On the upcoming schedule:
"We are excited about SMU. I think it is one of the bigger matches for us in terms of getting ready for the NCAA. They are second in their conference, with Hawaii being first in the WAC. They are most likely an NCAA Tournament team; I think they've won 20 matches. If we can go up there and win like we are planning to do, it will show how strong we will be in the Big 12. Heading into Saturday against Texas, it is always good to play the Longhorns here."
Head Cross Country Coach Todd Harbour:
On the teams' success at the Big 12 Championships:
"Two weeks ago in Austin, our men and women had our best day in Big 12 history for us. We combined with a fifth place for the men and second for the ladies for seven points. Our men had been banged up all year, and we almost put together a full race. Our ladies haven't surprised me; they have been a great team to coach. Our top four finishers had freshmen and sophomores. We were actually ahead of Colorado halfway through the race, but they tend to run better at the end of the race because they are used to high altitude. We knew it was coming; we just weren't able to hold them off. In another year, we will be able to do so. Our ladies are in really good shape to be able to get a bid to the NCAA meet, and in another ten days or so we will have enough at-large to win."
On hosting the upcoming NCAA Regional:
"Our women are the No. 1 ranked team in the region and No. 18 in the nation. Our men are third in the region and will really have to run to beat Arkansas and A&M. Overall we are looking forward to it. I have a lot to do to get the course ready. We really appreciate what Cottonwood does for us; they really roll out the red carpet for us. It sure helps when you have people out there yelling for you. Kyle King is ready to go; I think he will run his best race of year out there. He is a gamer and ready to go."
Head Football Coach Guy Morriss:
On quarterbacks Aaron Karas and Shawn Bell:
"I think we are going to split reps this week, and decide when it get closer to game time who will start at QB."
On facing No. 1 Oklahoma this weekend:
"I think we always have a chance. We will take the same approach and go up there and get lined up and play with great emotion and see what happens. I don't think you can make comparisons with scores and those kind of things; we are just going to go up there and give it our best shot. Every thing about Oklahoma is very impressive. I guess their defense is their main strength, with their athleticism and their speed. They aren't overly big, but all of them can run. I think what makes them so good is that everyday on the practice field there is competition for jobs.
"We have to contend with Okla and not have to overcome ourselves. We need to line up correctly, tackle better, execute our schemes more consistently, and hang into the fourth quarter. Their offensive line is all cut from the same cloth; they move like they are about 240, not 315. They are all playing well and can run; they are all impressive."
"Going into Norman should help us, and we can use it as a tool for experience. I hope we don't go in scared and we learn from it. It could have been worse in the A&M game; those players were just doing what they are supposed to do. It's not Oklahoma's problem; it's our problem to stop them."
On QB Jason White:
"White is having a great year. He is comfortable and has a great team around him. In any offense, that is the key position, the trigger man From my perception of looking at tapes, he is a guy that has a great presence, and I'm sure everyone around him has a respect for him. It seems like all the intangibles are in place."
On giving some younger players more time in the last two games:
"We are going to try to play the younger players more these last few games and give them an opportunity to play against the No. 1 team in the nation. Each week we have been playing them a few more snaps. I don't think the lineup will change that much; I think we have done a good job of opening up with our best players and we will start out with them. I know (Dominique) Zeigler will play, and we'll try to work other young guys in."
On Baylor's excellent special teams performance:
"I think (special teams) coach Mark Nelson is doing a great job. (The Big 12 Player of the Week award) is a credit to (Robert) Quiroga; he seems to have a knack for running those things back. We spend as much time as other teams for special teams; the difference is our whole staff gets involved with special teams from the top down. I think it's a whole staff and team effort."
