Postgame Notes
Chattanooga 69, UNCG 60
Southern Conference Tournament
Asheville, N.C. | Harrah's Cherokee Center
Sunday, March 10, 2024
Coach Shawn Poppie
Thinking back to April 2022, did you expect back-to-back SoCon titles:
"I tell you what, I know the expectations around here are very high. We can do something special. I'd be lying to say I thought we could do it this fast. But it's a testament to the crew I inherited. They bought into everything we sold, and then we brought in some special talent. I'm just proud of this group for them to be able to get what they deserve, They put the work in and bought in since we got here."
On the heavily tilted support in the stands:
"What a feeling when you look back and have that support sitting behind you. People ask all the time, 'what makes this place so special'? It's the people. Chattanooga cares about women's basketball, and these girls get the chance to play in front of a true fan base that loves on them, and I think it continues to push us forward and it helped us today."
Jada Guinn, Gr., G
On how special this year has been to her to this point:
"It's been so special ever since I got to Chattanooga. It feels like I've been here for four years and that's just a testament to the culture that Coach Poppie has created and the culture of Chattanooga women's basketball. I'm just blessed that I'm able to be a part of it."
On the difference was in the game:
"We just stuck together. We've been in these kinds of moments before and people on this team last year were in this same championship atmosphere. Coach Poppie told us to just stick to the game plan and stay together and that's exactly what we did."
On the play of Hannah Kohn and Caia Elisaldez:
"I'm so happy for them. Caia and Hannah have been such a big part of us since the beginning of the year. They were a little nervous coming into this game but the Caia did a great job guarding (Jayde) Gamble and Hannah hit some hug threes that helped boost us. I'm just so happy for them."
Raven Thompson, So., F
On what it means for her to accomplish this:
"It meant a lot. Just to know where I've came from and how much it took for me to be in this position. It means a lot."
On being able to go back-to-back and how much she and this team has grow from now to then:
"We're going into this tournament focused on just being us. We aren't gonna do anything crazy, just be us."
Addie Grace Porter, Jr., G
On being able to go back-to-back and how much she and this team has grow from now to then:
"I think there's just been a lot of growth and belief in confidence. Going into last year, we had confidence but not like we did this year. Our team is so close and tightly knit together where we just know we're gonna get it done regardless. We're going into the NCAA Tournament believing we're gonna win a game now. Our message going into the locker room now is we're gonna go and win. We're not just going up there for a good time."
Sigrun Olafsdottir, Sr., G
On being a back-to-back SoCon Champion:
"It's something we've been working towards for the whole year, so it's just amazing. That it came true…this team deserves it all."
On finishing strong throughout the fourth quarter:
"It was a physical game throughout, but i think we just came up with big plays in the end. It's like we always do, just find a way to win, and we did that today."
