Lauren Smith meets the media
Photo by: Creighton Athletics
Volleyball Meets Media in San Diego Prior to Regional Semifinal
12/11/2015 1:15:00 AM | Volleyball
Kirsten Bernthal Booth, Lauren Smith and Jaali Winters take questions
NCAA Regional Quotes
Thursday, December 10, 2015 – University of San Diego
San Diego, Calif.
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT HEAD COCH TOM BLACK
Difference between start of season and now:
"There was a lot of turmoil going on in the first four weeks. I had to come in and out because of World Cup. We had some key injuries. We just had to learn a lot from that. We had to change our line-up three weeks into the season because of those injuries. I think there was just some learning and some figuring out. The way the girls went about the season, that never changed. I think that is why we were able to gel as people had to come in and step-up. We kind of found our rhythm there."
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT SOPHOMORE OUTSIDE HITTER/SETTER SARAH SPONCIL
On what it is like being in the Sweet 16:
"You always want to imagine sitting here and being in the Sweet 16. I think we just took it one day at a time and we got two percent better everyday. I think that is why we are here today. We just worked day-by-day, not thinking too far ahead."
KANSAS HEAD COCH RAY BECHARD
Do you feel like this is the most athletic team you've coached?
"Yeah, I think so. Couple that with, I think that they're good volleyball players too. Their volleyball IQ is high and they enjoy playing with each other. They really do enjoy competing together. It has been a competitive chemistry that has allowed us to create a good season"
KANSAS SENIOR OUTSIDE HITTER TIANNA DOCKERY
On keeping the team mentally focused:
"I feel like we have finally gotten to know one another a lot better. We know what we need to do when things get a little shaky during practice or if we need to just stop during a drill. Everybody has a voice on our team in order to keep everything calm and to continue to play the way that we need to play."
KANSAS JUNIOR MIDDLE BLOCKER TAYLER SOUCIE
On being back in southern California for the Sweet 16 (previously in 2013):
"It's just as big of a thrill. Whenever you make the Sweet 16 it's always going to be a thrill. It's also nice going in knowing that I've been here before and that we've been here before. So we kind of have more of a feel for it. It's not as nerve racking as not knowing what to expect."
KANSAS JUNIOR MIDDLE BLOCKER JANAE HALL
On playing west-coast teams:
"I try to approach every team the same way. Everyone we play on a daily basis is going to be someone who's going to put up a good fight. We always have to stay true to our own game and focus on what we're doing on our side of the net to handle whatever team we are up against."
CREIGHTON HEAD COACH KIRSTEN BERNTHAL BOOTH
Are you intimidated when you hear USC volleyball?
"I don't think intimidation is the word, I think respect. We know that they're a great program, well coached, and obviously we've seen them earlier this year and know how strong they are from top to bottom. I think we're excited for the opportunity to play against them."
CREIGHTON FRESHMAN OUTSIDE HITTER JAALI WINTERS
Describe the feeling after the loss to USC earlier this year:
"That was a really long time ago. I would say now our line-up is completely different with completely new attitude. That killer instinct has completely changed. As for the feeling after that loss… That was one of our worst losses of the year. I'd say it definitely motivated us to get better. Now we're here."
CREIGHTON JUNIOR MIDDLE BLOCKER LAUREN SMITH
How do you handle the travel and time change?
"I love traveling. I think it's great to be able to see most of the east coast and now the west. It has taken us everywhere. For those adjustments, we study a lot on the road and make sure that academics come first but we're playing the sport that we love. We're with the people that we love. So it's not hard to adjust when you're doing the one thing that you know how to do. Just go out and play with ease and play for each other."
USC HEAD COACH MICK HALEY
As a team that has done so well, do you feel like the competition is getting tougher?
"No question that that's true. It used to be that you felt like the kids in the west coast would play a little bit more volleyball because they get to play in the summers and outdoors. If you look at the number of matches and the number of practices that kids in the mid-west and on the east coast and the southwest are playing now, they're all playing about the same number. It's amazing. That's why the recruiting shifts from each side of the country from year to year… You don't have an advantage being on one side of the country or the other now. There's talent everywhere."
USC SENIOR MIDDLE BLOCKER ALICIA OGOMS
On playing close to Los Angeles:
"There is a big population of USC alums that also live in San Diego so we're hoping that a lot of people come out as well. We've been basically playing all year to get sent here so we could play in this facility and in this game. It's kind of what we wanted."
USC SENIOR OUTSIDE HITTER SAMANTHA BRICIO
How do you handle the pressure of being at USC and being the number one seed?
"It's always nice to play on a team that has such a history. I think it's good because it makes you want to work harder than normal. "
San Diego, Calif.
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT HEAD COCH TOM BLACK
Difference between start of season and now:
"There was a lot of turmoil going on in the first four weeks. I had to come in and out because of World Cup. We had some key injuries. We just had to learn a lot from that. We had to change our line-up three weeks into the season because of those injuries. I think there was just some learning and some figuring out. The way the girls went about the season, that never changed. I think that is why we were able to gel as people had to come in and step-up. We kind of found our rhythm there."
LOYOLA MARYMOUNT SOPHOMORE OUTSIDE HITTER/SETTER SARAH SPONCIL
On what it is like being in the Sweet 16:
"You always want to imagine sitting here and being in the Sweet 16. I think we just took it one day at a time and we got two percent better everyday. I think that is why we are here today. We just worked day-by-day, not thinking too far ahead."
KANSAS HEAD COCH RAY BECHARD
Do you feel like this is the most athletic team you've coached?
"Yeah, I think so. Couple that with, I think that they're good volleyball players too. Their volleyball IQ is high and they enjoy playing with each other. They really do enjoy competing together. It has been a competitive chemistry that has allowed us to create a good season"
KANSAS SENIOR OUTSIDE HITTER TIANNA DOCKERY
On keeping the team mentally focused:
"I feel like we have finally gotten to know one another a lot better. We know what we need to do when things get a little shaky during practice or if we need to just stop during a drill. Everybody has a voice on our team in order to keep everything calm and to continue to play the way that we need to play."
KANSAS JUNIOR MIDDLE BLOCKER TAYLER SOUCIE
On being back in southern California for the Sweet 16 (previously in 2013):
"It's just as big of a thrill. Whenever you make the Sweet 16 it's always going to be a thrill. It's also nice going in knowing that I've been here before and that we've been here before. So we kind of have more of a feel for it. It's not as nerve racking as not knowing what to expect."
KANSAS JUNIOR MIDDLE BLOCKER JANAE HALL
On playing west-coast teams:
"I try to approach every team the same way. Everyone we play on a daily basis is going to be someone who's going to put up a good fight. We always have to stay true to our own game and focus on what we're doing on our side of the net to handle whatever team we are up against."
CREIGHTON HEAD COACH KIRSTEN BERNTHAL BOOTH
Are you intimidated when you hear USC volleyball?
"I don't think intimidation is the word, I think respect. We know that they're a great program, well coached, and obviously we've seen them earlier this year and know how strong they are from top to bottom. I think we're excited for the opportunity to play against them."
CREIGHTON FRESHMAN OUTSIDE HITTER JAALI WINTERS
Describe the feeling after the loss to USC earlier this year:
"That was a really long time ago. I would say now our line-up is completely different with completely new attitude. That killer instinct has completely changed. As for the feeling after that loss… That was one of our worst losses of the year. I'd say it definitely motivated us to get better. Now we're here."
CREIGHTON JUNIOR MIDDLE BLOCKER LAUREN SMITH
How do you handle the travel and time change?
"I love traveling. I think it's great to be able to see most of the east coast and now the west. It has taken us everywhere. For those adjustments, we study a lot on the road and make sure that academics come first but we're playing the sport that we love. We're with the people that we love. So it's not hard to adjust when you're doing the one thing that you know how to do. Just go out and play with ease and play for each other."
USC HEAD COACH MICK HALEY
As a team that has done so well, do you feel like the competition is getting tougher?
"No question that that's true. It used to be that you felt like the kids in the west coast would play a little bit more volleyball because they get to play in the summers and outdoors. If you look at the number of matches and the number of practices that kids in the mid-west and on the east coast and the southwest are playing now, they're all playing about the same number. It's amazing. That's why the recruiting shifts from each side of the country from year to year… You don't have an advantage being on one side of the country or the other now. There's talent everywhere."
USC SENIOR MIDDLE BLOCKER ALICIA OGOMS
On playing close to Los Angeles:
"There is a big population of USC alums that also live in San Diego so we're hoping that a lot of people come out as well. We've been basically playing all year to get sent here so we could play in this facility and in this game. It's kind of what we wanted."
USC SENIOR OUTSIDE HITTER SAMANTHA BRICIO
How do you handle the pressure of being at USC and being the number one seed?
"It's always nice to play on a team that has such a history. I think it's good because it makes you want to work harder than normal. "
Creighton Volleyball Pink Out Recap vs. Seton Hall
Wednesday, October 22
Creighton Media Availability Volleyball - 10/21/25
Tuesday, October 21
Creighton Volleyball vs Seton Hall Postgame Press Conference - 10-19-25
Sunday, October 19
Creighton Women's Volleyball Highlights vs. St. John's - 10-17-25
Saturday, October 18
