University of Houston Athletics
Bill Walton Chat Wrap
9/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Sept. 17, 2002
Alex: After three tough losses, how will you prepare the team for this weekend against Hawaii and St. Mary's?
Bill Walton: We are working hard to get Jenny Tanneberger healthier. She had a shoulder injury and was not allowed to attack the ball last week. We will continue to improve serve reception and improve our conversion after a dig.
Sacramento: How do you like your schedule? What team are you/did you most look forward to playing?
Bill Walton: I don't think there is a single team that we most look forward to. But our match against South Florida is always a good one because it is against one or my former assistants. Louisville is always the team we love to beat.
Houston: Do you have a better setter than Sellen, it seems that she is not up to par at the Division I level. I dont think you can go to the tournament with her as the setter.
Bill Walton: Donna improved immensly in the spring, and her and Tanneberger achieved a real unconscious understanding of where they were, which was a huge improvement in our offense. We have not yet acheived that this fall, and the injury to Tanneberger has slowed down their cooridination on offense.
Chris (Sugar Land): Hey Coach! You are a legend at the U of H! How has our volleball program settled into CUSA? Is it tougher than the old SWC?
Bill Walton: Travel is tougher in C-USA. In the SWC, we used to play Wednesday and Saturday, but Fridays and Saturdays are a much tougher schedule in C-USA. There was rarely an easy opponent in the SWC. At its demise, SWC was ranked third as a conference -- C-USA was eighth last year.
Kate (Houston): What caused the home defeat by Lamar? Were the players overconfident or was it just a poor match?
Bill Walton: We passed poorly and failed to convert after a dig on defense and Tanneberger's injury only allowed her to tip the ball. Up until that match, Tanneberger was hitting over .500 and averaging 5-6 kills per game. That loss of production can really hurt. Give Lamar credit, they came out with the revenge motive strongly on their side.
Dave (Houston): Are your middle hitters stronger than the outsider hitters? I have noticed that Dews is getting more time at the net and Tanneberger does well there too.
Bill Walton: The coordination between the middle hitters and setters have been an early season success. Our outside hitters have been inconsistent, but hopefully we can improve in that area as the season progresses. Because our middles are strong, our opponents should have to committ more blockers to the middle, leaving the outside more open.
Houston: How are you going to keep the squad healthy, especially with C-USA play around the corner?
Bill Walton: We will limit practice time to keep players healthy and rehabilitate 2-3 times a day for injured players.
Joe_Coog: Coach, just wanted to thank you all of the hard work you and your staff are putting in. Keep up the good work.
Bill Walton: Thanks Joe Coog. I appreciate the encouragement.
Erik (Dallas): How does this years team compare to previous UH teams? Are the expectations for the season the same?
Go Coogs!
Bill Walton: Last May, we had the same expectations as always -- C-USA championship and a return to the NCAA tournament. With seven players lost or injured, we have maintained the same expectations but require everyone to play flawlessly because we have no bench strength. Our players' efforts have been awesome, and our record to this time shows that we are capable. We will always play our best so that Cougar boosters will be proud of us.
Graydon: Is this bill walton off of tv the commentator
Bill Walton: You would not be the first person to ask this question. From Continental Airlines, to hotels, and even an ex-girlfriend, we have had our identities have been mistaken. We met at the 1996 Olympics at the Omni in Atlanta. There are many humorous stories about our mistaken identity, but I am always asked if I am the 'real' Bill Walton. And of course, I am. Good luck to both Bills, follow us both. In our own ways we both had fairly successful athletic careers. Even my grandmother thought I was him once. Thanks for asking. Bye.
Bill Walton: Thanks for all your questions. Catch the Cougar volleyball squad a their next match at No. 2 Hawai'i this Friday. Go Coogs!
