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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Steven McRoberts Weekly Press Conference #9
10/21/2019 | Volleyball
Ole Miss Volleyball Head Coach Steven McRoberts met with members of the media on Monday as part of his weekly press conference. Coach McRoberts discussed the Rebels' weekend and the tough schedule ahead...
Opening Statement:
"Another great weekend at the Gillom Center. We had two packed houses for both matches. The band was there and we always appreciate it when they come. It's just a great college atmosphere. It's quickly becoming an intimidating venue in the SEC and just a great volleyball venue. It's something that's been built up for six years. At times it almost seems surreal that this is going on in the Gillom Center here. It's a lot of fun to see how our community has embraced our volleyball team. It really helps, so I'm very appreciative to our fans who are coming out and supporting the team and cheering us on."
On last weekend's matches vs. Arkansas and Texas A&M:
"We had a good match against Arkansas on Friday night. [We] got the win to maintain our undefeated streak in the conference. That was our 14th win in a row to match the program record. We turned around to play a very good Texas A&M team. The RPI came out this morning and they are No. 17 in that. It was a touch match. We were up 12-11 in the fifth and just could not close it out. The team was very disappointed, the staff is disappointed, but also it's an interesting feeling to come in on a Monday to be tied for first in the SEC. The office is quiet, we're upset about the loss and disappointed for these young ladies who put a lot of work in. [We're] disappointed that the streak has ended. There aren't many teams in the nation that run off 14 wins in a row, especially at this level in the SEC, which is a great league. We had a chance. Again, facing the No. 17 RPI team and we're No. 42 right now. We kind of maintained where we were last week. We were hoping to make a jump with a win on Sunday. We get another opportunity against them later on."
On upcoming opponents Georgia and Kentucky:
"We play at Georgia on Wednesday for a quick turnaround. We've done this before. It's going to be a 9 p.m. ET match, so it's another late one. We played at eight o'clock against Arkansas, so the girls- from a physical standpoint- have already gone through a long day like that. We know what it's like. Georgia is tied with us for first, along with Kentucky and Florida. Kentucky comes in next Sunday here. Big week for us, two great coaches in the league. Tom Black at Georgia has done a really nice job with that program. They're right along the lines with us in that fact that they weren't expected to do as well as they have in the league. We're both up here tied in the league through seven SEC matches so it's fun."
On Nicole Purcell's 1,000th dig and receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches poll:
"Nicole Purcell, who is leading the league in digs, had her 1,000th dig over the weekend. Once again, just really proud of her for the work that she's put in and she deserves that. When I left here last week, for the first time since 2007, we received votes in the AVCA Coaches Top 25 poll. Whether or not that's going to happen again today after the loss on Sunday, I don't know, but that was kind of a neat thing for our program. Like I said, playing two of the teams that we're tied with at the top this week. We have a lot of opportunities coming up schedule-wise I think from an RPI standpoint. We have 11 SEC matches left and I think maybe three or four teams are behind us in the RPI. Lots of opportunities to build that resume."
Opening Statement:
"Another great weekend at the Gillom Center. We had two packed houses for both matches. The band was there and we always appreciate it when they come. It's just a great college atmosphere. It's quickly becoming an intimidating venue in the SEC and just a great volleyball venue. It's something that's been built up for six years. At times it almost seems surreal that this is going on in the Gillom Center here. It's a lot of fun to see how our community has embraced our volleyball team. It really helps, so I'm very appreciative to our fans who are coming out and supporting the team and cheering us on."
On last weekend's matches vs. Arkansas and Texas A&M:
"We had a good match against Arkansas on Friday night. [We] got the win to maintain our undefeated streak in the conference. That was our 14th win in a row to match the program record. We turned around to play a very good Texas A&M team. The RPI came out this morning and they are No. 17 in that. It was a touch match. We were up 12-11 in the fifth and just could not close it out. The team was very disappointed, the staff is disappointed, but also it's an interesting feeling to come in on a Monday to be tied for first in the SEC. The office is quiet, we're upset about the loss and disappointed for these young ladies who put a lot of work in. [We're] disappointed that the streak has ended. There aren't many teams in the nation that run off 14 wins in a row, especially at this level in the SEC, which is a great league. We had a chance. Again, facing the No. 17 RPI team and we're No. 42 right now. We kind of maintained where we were last week. We were hoping to make a jump with a win on Sunday. We get another opportunity against them later on."
On upcoming opponents Georgia and Kentucky:
"We play at Georgia on Wednesday for a quick turnaround. We've done this before. It's going to be a 9 p.m. ET match, so it's another late one. We played at eight o'clock against Arkansas, so the girls- from a physical standpoint- have already gone through a long day like that. We know what it's like. Georgia is tied with us for first, along with Kentucky and Florida. Kentucky comes in next Sunday here. Big week for us, two great coaches in the league. Tom Black at Georgia has done a really nice job with that program. They're right along the lines with us in that fact that they weren't expected to do as well as they have in the league. We're both up here tied in the league through seven SEC matches so it's fun."
On Nicole Purcell's 1,000th dig and receiving votes in the AVCA Coaches poll:
"Nicole Purcell, who is leading the league in digs, had her 1,000th dig over the weekend. Once again, just really proud of her for the work that she's put in and she deserves that. When I left here last week, for the first time since 2007, we received votes in the AVCA Coaches Top 25 poll. Whether or not that's going to happen again today after the loss on Sunday, I don't know, but that was kind of a neat thing for our program. Like I said, playing two of the teams that we're tied with at the top this week. We have a lot of opportunities coming up schedule-wise I think from an RPI standpoint. We have 11 SEC matches left and I think maybe three or four teams are behind us in the RPI. Lots of opportunities to build that resume."
Players Mentioned
DS
/ VolleyballPRESSER | Ole Miss Volleyball - SECT Postgame vs Texas (11-23-25)
Monday, November 24
HIGHLIGHTS: VB vs. No. 3 Texas (SEC Tournament) (11-23-25)
Sunday, November 23
PRESSER | Ole Miss Volleyball - SECT Postgame vs Mizzou (11-22-25)
Sunday, November 23
Gabi Placide's Block vs. Missouri (SEC Tournament)
Saturday, November 22