Postgame Quotes
Chattanooga 60, Mercer 37
Chattanooga, Tenn. | The McKenzie Arena
Saturday, January 18, 2025
 
Deandra Schirmer, head coach
Opening Statement
"I think that we coming in here and establishing the program the way that we wanted to run it, we kept saying, trust the process, it's going to come. Trust the process, it's going to come. And in the meantime, we made sure that we established our defense, and our defensive rebounding has carried us through the season so far. And tonight, it really felt like we turned a corner offensively. It really felt like we were moving. We were playing together. The ball was hot. We were making the right passes and executing the way that we want to execute. And I was really proud to see that. I think that we had a lot of contributors tonight, and that's what we want to see. We want to see balance minutes. We want to see balance scoring. We want to go into a game knowing that we have a lot of different options down the stretch when it comes to who to get the ball to. And tonight, obviously, Gianna was having a great night. Whenever she's hitting the threes, she's feeling good. She knows it's a good night, but it was off of great execution. And so from a coach's standpoint, we're starting to see that they're playing together. And couldn't be more proud of our effort today against a tough conference opponent."
 
On adjusting from defending Samford's game to Mercer's game
"We knew coming into this game that Mercer has a lot of talented players that like to drive, that like to post up and like to score in the paint, so we really wanted to make sure we packed it in and took away any easy looks inside. And I think in the second half, they started getting more post ups, and the bench was hearing how upset I was about that, but being able to execute a completely different game plan than we had against Sanford, who has a lot of knock down shooters looking to spread the court, looking to play five out. And so I think I'm most proud of this group and how we are able to have the maturity to adjust from one game where we're playing a lot of, you know, knock down shooters, to another game where we're playing a lot of driver, slash up and post players."
 
On Sigrun Olafsdottir breaking the UTC games played record
"I communicated to the team that Sigrun was about to pass the all-time record here at Chattanooga for games played, and I explained to the team how being such a historic program that UTC women's basketball is, how much that means, and how I could not think of a better player to be the face of Chattanooga women's basketball, to be the Iron Woman than Sigrun Olafsdottir. Every one of her teammates would say the same thing. A lot of times. We'll talk about, what legacy do you leave? And I think the legacy that Sigrun leaves is a legacy of hard work. It's a legacy of leadership. It's a legacy of being an excellent teammate. It's a legacy of being just an amazing basketball player, but also an amazing person. And who would have thought when she came here and everything that she's been through, that she would really be the key piece in the success that we've had this season so far, but also the success she's had as a two-time SoCon champion. So I think it's couldn't go to anybody more deserving than Sigrun. And just so proud to have her a part of our group.
 
On lessons learned from Sigrun Olafsdottir
"As far as lessons, Sigrun has taught me a lot of lessons. I think Sigrun has taught me to sometimes be the quiet confidence that sometimes you know, coming in and just being solid and consistent every single day. I think also her work ethic teaches her teammates what it looks like. She's the one that's getting the most shots up all the time, and that really sets the tone for what it looks like to be successful. I think the other thing is, she loves her teammates. She loves Chattanooga, and I think in the day and age that we are in where players are leaving and transfer portal and everything like that to get a player that has given her whole heart to Chattanooga women's basketball. I'm just so proud of her and so honored and humbled to be able to coach her and be around her, because she just a positive influence on all of us."
 
 
Gianna Corbitt, Fr., F
On how she is able to get rebounds
"I don't really think about it. I just go out and I miss some rebounds, like, off the board, and I'm like, 'Hey, I could have got that', like, that one offensive rebound, but I don't think, I don't go in the game, like, Oh, I gotta get 10 rebounds. When they come off the glass, I think, don't let the other team get it, because we gotta get it in there and get a transition. So it's not really a pregame process."
 
On her offensive play with her third double-double
"I don't even feel like I really did much offensively. I read the defense. What I did if one wasn't there I just turned around. That they were giving me the drive. They were either overplaying the screen or they were forcing me into it. So I turned down and on the drive and just took it.