June 21, 2000
Q: What will be the Sun Devils' strengths this season?
A: We've got some nice returning outside hitters. Amanda Burbridge, All-Pac-10 [in 1999], just really has a complete game. She's had three years to really learn the system. We're also returning Jami Coughlin on the left side, and that's nice to have the integrity of your put-away hitters on the outside. Were returning Becky Sidoti as our setter, and also two middle blockers with Robyn Mattingly and Julia Leddy. It's nice to have the continuity of kids that have had a lot of experience out on the floor. I'm looking forward to that.
Q: What is an area of weakness for your team?
A: It might be our right-side blocking size [because of] our setting. Becky is smaller, and we also have an incoming freshman Cheryl Anglin, who are smaller blockers on the right side. If we have to run a 6-2 we will, because we have some capabilities to sub in with some bigger blockers.
Q: How does Amanda Burbridge compare to the other premier outside hitters in the Pac-10? A: I'll easily say she's not only one of the top three in the conference, but one of the top 10 in the nation. She just attacks at a very high level. Her repertoire of her shots, and the experience of her shots are really at an ultimate level. We're expecting her to have a great senior year ? putting the whole game together.
Q: What will your incoming freshman class add to this team?
A: Their experience. These kids have won at every level that they've competed at since 12-and-under. They're great students, and they're extremely talented, skilled players. And so they'll give us depth and ball control, which is what we really need to add. We've got good size in our returning core, but these young kids will come in and play great defense ? they'll pass ? and also give us some winning experience.
Q: Which teams look like the early favorites in the Pac-10?
A: UCLA, Stanford and USC are going to have the most talent and depth. It's kind of been that way traditionally. I also expect Arizona [to be strong] ? they have a good returning core of starters returning. I think we'll contend along with Arizona. I expect to see Cal to come out of the gates a little stronger, along with Oregon State. [The Beavers] have had their coaching changes, and they have some players in the program that will make them a lot better as well.
Q: Please comment on your non-conference schedule.
A: We've got it set up with real nice inter-regional play. We have competition against five teams that competed in the NCAA Tournament last year. We certainly fill our competitive quota in the Pac-10, but to be able to play Loyola Marymount and Cal Poly, San Jose State and other teams that had great years in the past, we're really looking forward to that.