Quotes from Wednesday's Opening Press Conference

May 22, 2002

NCAA WOMEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES
May 23-27, 2002
Don E. Porter ASA Hall of Fame Stadium
Oklahoma City, Okla.

ARIZONA HEAD COACH MIKE CANDREA

General comment:
"The thing we haven't done real well this year is play with a lot of emotion. Obviously, at this time of the year that's pretty important. Finally, in the last game at the regional, I really thought that we played probably our best game overall. So I'm very excited to see what happens once we take the field here in Oklahoma City."

On the importance of pitching at the World Series:
"I think you win championships with pitching and defense. When you get to this point, no matter how good you are offensively, good pitching seems to equalize good hitting. It's a game of making great pitches at the right time, being opportunistic by getting a run at the right time and playing good defense."

On facing Nebraska:
"I know enough about them. We've played them in numerous regionals and I know Coach Revelle very well. I know the passion that she brings to the game. It's a team that's going to be very well prepared, will play with emotion and will do all the things it takes to be successful. They're sitting up here for a reason and I have a lot of respect for them."

ARIZONA SENIOR JENNIE FINCH

On why Arizona has not played with emotion at times:
"I'm not quite sure. I wish I did know. In that last game we had our backs against the wall and we just came out and left it all out on the field. Hopefully we make that carry over to the College World Series. And hopefully the freshmen got to know what it's like to have our backs against the wall and to be in a pressure situation."

On how to pitch to UCLA All-American Stacey Nuveman:
"She's a great hitter. You've got to try to mix it up and keep the ball down."

ARIZONA STATE HEAD COACH LINDA WELLS

On her team's WCWS appearance:
"Certainly, we're excited to be here. It was definitely a team effort that got us out of Louisiana. Hopefully that team effort will carry over. I concur with my peers that it's hard to get here and it's harder after you get here. We'll have to take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves."

On the importance of pitching in the WCWS:
"There is no substitute. You can get by things with waiting for other aspects to perform but pitching has to perform every day, every pitch."

On being a former coach in the Big Ten and facing Michigan:
"I came out of the Big Ten and I have a lot of respect for all of the teams, especially Michigan. Traditionally, they have had strong teams and I have a lot of respect for Coach Hutchins. She is a competitor and her team personifies that."

ARIZONA STATE SENIOR ERICA BEACH
On pitching against UCLA's Stacey Nuveman: "Don't let her get her hands out on the ball because she has a reach that goes to the opposite batter's box."

MICHIGAN HEAD COACH CAROL HUTCHINS

General comment:
"If there's one thing I think everyone here agrees on, it's that it's really, really difficult to get to the World Series. And when you get here it's even more difficult. We've had a difficult schedule the entire year and the Big Ten season, in particular, really prepared us because we didn't have an easy game. Our team has risen to the challenge the entire year and has played with a lot of enthusiasm. I feel we're very prepared to play this one game at a time like we have all season."

On the importance of pitching in the WCWS:
"Defense starts on the mound. Pitchers have to have good movement, keep you in the game and give you a chance to win with your offense."

NEBRASKA HEAD COACH RHONDA REVELLE

On her team making it to the WCWS:
"I'm proud of our team that we have made it this far. I think the strength of our team is our passion for the game. As I track our season, we've had times where we were really high and times we were really low. There was a stretch during the season where we wondered whether or not we were really good but we hung together. To get here is really difficult, but once you get here it's even more difficult because everyone else here is playing well. The thing that I feel most confident about our team is that we have earned our way here."

On the importance of pitching in the WCWS:
"Pitchers set the tone for the game. The team is going to follow the pitching and even your offense is going to follow your pitching. A pitcher who is confident and has great poise can make your offense more relaxed."

On Nebraska's pitching plans for Arizona:
"We've been working a lot of tandems, actually, and either pitcher could go. Arizona's a great hitting team so it might be going with match-ups or it might be that we have one pitcher go through the lineup once or twice and then we'll make a change."

NEBRASKA SENIOR LEIGH ANN WALKER
On if there's incentive in facing other players from her home state of Arizona who are on the Arizona and Arizona State teams: "I don't really look at it any differently. The fact that I get to see a lot of people that I grew up with is the best thing. We get to share the experience. It's just exciting to see us all come full circle. But really, I place no more pressure on myself no matter who we're playing. I have equal respect for every team that is here."

CALIFORNIA HEAD COACH DIANE NINEMIRE

On making it to the WCWS:
"We are a completely different team than last year. This year we have added 10 new players to our roster and it was a challenge in the beginning to play together as a team. We started out slow in the beginning, but then we went on an 11-game winning streak which turned the program around. Our team is led by seniors Candace Harper and outstanding pitcher Jocelyn Forest. We are looking forward to the World Series and we feel prepared after the regional last weekend."

On Oklahoma:
"They obviously have a home field advantage, but I told our team that we have to keep the focus on ourselves and take care of our own game. After playing at Fresno last weekend, we are used to having a lot of fans against us."

CALIFORNIA SENIOR JOCELYN FOREST

On pitching against Oklahoma:
"I remember Oklahoma from the past and I know that they always swing for the fence. I will have to adjust my pitching to what they do. I enjoy the challenge and am ready for it."

FLORIDA STATE HEAD COACH JoANNE GRAF

On the 2002 season:
"We just went through a real tough regional, having to win three games on the final day due to the rain delay (May 19 in Tallahassee, Fla.). I guess the best way to characterize this team is that it's a core group of individuals who really work together as a team and believe in themselves as a unit. As for the season, we played a tough schedule and we beat some good teams. Losing the conference championship was a disappointment but we used that to rebound in the regional. It's been awhile since the last time we've been here (1993), so our players are really excited. But its going to be a challenge."

OKLAHOMA HEAD COACH PATTY GASSO

On the state of the 2002 team:
"It's been a tough season to say the least. Despite our record, expectations have been extremely high and we lost some talented seniors from last year's squad. We've been trying to figure out how to replace them. But Jennifer Stewart has been her notorious championship self and our freshman and defensive play has stepped up this past month. We were able to beat our biggest nemesis, Texas, last Saturday. That win against them means a lot to this team because they had beaten us four previous times and it got us back to the Women's College World Series. I'm proud of this young team for being able to put it all together, especially of late."

Remarking on the 2000 WCWS game vs. California:
"That was our first World Series game and we were very unnerved. The fans were a big part of that game. It was a true battle and a great way for us to get started. We're looking for more of the same tomorrow against Cal."

UCLA HEAD COACH SUE ENQUIST

On UCLA's repeated appearances in the College World Series:
"Each year we come here, there is a greater level of appreciation to be here. This sport is growing so fast and the non-favored teams are competing until the end of the season. It is great for the sport of softball. I feel that we bring experience to the postseason. We know how to handle pressure situations and what to do when our 'A' game hasn't shown up. Our key is to get into our game as quickly as possible and take care of the ball on defense while making good choices."

On catcher Stacey Nuveman:
"The numbers she puts up at the plate haven't been seen by the game in a long time. She gives the sport of softball great recognition. She doesn't get much credit for how incredibly disciplined she is. She has great home run and RBI numbers, but at the same time she doesn't strike out much."

UCLA SENIOR STACEY NUVEMAN

On the World Series:
"I've been here a lot, but it has only once ended the way I wanted it to. Experience is great, but you want to win when you get here. A goal for me coming back this year was for me to finish the season off the way I want it to."

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Quotes from Wednesday's Opening Press Conference

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