2025 Chattanooga Women's Basketball
Postgame Quotes
Nov. 16 – UAB – McKenzie Arena
 
Coach Deandra Schirmer, 2nd Season
Opening statement:
"I talked with my team after the game, and I let them know that if we don't start playing defense, this is going to be the result. We take pride in our defense. Me as a coach, I take pride in our defensive effort, our defensive game planning and how we're prepped for games. I feel like we have not been able to execute that and showcase what our defense can look like. Giving a team 80 points is way too much. We can talk about missed shots, missed layups, missed free throws...we can talk about everything we're doing offensively, but if we're not getting stops on defense, it really doesn't matter."
 
On expectations with a new team:
"Another piece that we have talked about as a coaching staff is that the expectations on this group are very, very high, and we will not lower them. We do have a lot of new bodies and a lot of new faces, and we've got to find a way to teach and learn and grow. As a coach, we'd love to win games while we're doing that growth process, but sometimes you have to learn the lesson the hard way. And tonight was definitely one of those."
 
On the offense:
"We need to be able to respond to what the defense is giving us and making sure we're taking every single opportunity that they give us. I thought we left a lot of points on the board not being able to finish out plays."
 
On moving forward:
"We have a lot of very talented players who are learning that we've got to be disciplined in the little ways. I think film sessions always help that. I think teaching, learning and growing always help that. I've got to find a better way to deliver the message."
 
Caia Elisaldez, Jr.-G
On if the disjointed flow impacted the game:
"I do think it's a challenge, but it's a challenge that comes within every game. I think every game has its own adjustments that need to be made. I don't think it was that at all. I honestly think at the end of the day we have growing pains. Knowing how we play together, what to do in situations like that. We only have a few returners that have been in situations like this to be in a game where you still have a chance, but you're down double digits in the fourth quarters. It's hard. I have full faith in this team. I have full faith in our coaching staff. It's not going to be a problem later on down the line."
 
On a frustrating loss:
"I have no doubt that everyone gave their all. Sometimes, we have mental lapses. That was it. That was the game right there. Those mental lapses cost us, but that frustration doesn't mean failure. This was one game that I will take this hit. We will take this hit. If that means we grow more for the next game and the game after, we're going to take it as our coaches say, we got to move on to the next one."