2026 Southern Conference Tournament (Women's)
Postgame Quotes - Quarterfinals
#1 Chattanooga vs. #8 Western Carolina
Asheville, N.C. – March 5, 2026
Deandra Schirmer, Head Coach
Opening statement after 66-47 win over WCU.
"We talked a lot about this week about tournament time and how exciting it is and the atmosphere. And we knew that we wanted to come out and prove something. I feel like the way that the regular season ended left a bitter taste in our mouth. And so this whole entire week our team has been very, very locked in. We've been locked in on us and what we do well. And to see us come out and be able to execute the way that we did, I think that offensively we were just clicking on all cylinders. That was really a testament to a lot of the hard work that we put in this week knowing that we got a challenge in front of us and this group rises to every challenge I put in front of them."
On response from back-to-back defeats to end regular season.
"Yeah, I think that at the end of the day, our goal that we put forth was to be the number one seed, and we did that. We put ourselves in a position to really set ourselves up on the side of the bracket and be able to have the early game and all the things that come with the number one seed. We kind of had to regroup a little bit. Obviously, ending the way that we did, we had something to prove, and I always feel like I'm best when I got a chip on my shoulder, and I feel like our team is the same way."
On the program's identity.
"I feel like this program is such a staple in women's basketball, has done, been there, done that for basically everything. And so far this group understands that, yes, our expectations are high, our expectations are always high here at UTC, but we're still special. We're still different than any team that's been here. And whether that's, you know, in the middle of the season setting a defensive record or whether that's now setting an offensive record, this group has a lot of special pieces to it and a lot of special people, and I'm excited for them to make their own mark."
On tying the SoCon Tournament Record for most 3-pointers in a game
"Anytime that someone tells us a stat that we've set a record in the UTC women's basketball program, I'm shocked because I feel like this program is such a staple in women's basketball, has done, been there, done that for basically everything. And so, for this group to understand that, yes, our expectations are high, our expectations are always high here at UTC, but we're still special. We're still different than any team that's been here. And whether that's, you know, in the middle of the season, setting a defensive record or whether that's now setting an offensive record, this group has a lot of special pieces to it, and a lot of special people, and I'm excited for them to make their own mark.
Gianna Corbitt, So.-G
On understanding the mission.
"I think it's understanding that we have a greater goal. Like, we fight everyday in practice to get to this point, and no matter who we have to respect everybody that we play, I think honestly having the respect for every team that we face, it allows us to go and play hard and play our game, and understand that anybody can sneak up on us."
On getting defensive stops in the second half.
"We didn't start the third quarter the right way, the way that we wanted to start defensively, so what we were talking about in the time out in the hood was get a kill, get three stops in a row, and just continue to get stops and string along good possessions of defense that meant to our offense. And we're just resilient. We're not going to, we're not going to lay down to any, any challenge."
Gianna Corbitt, So., Forward
When she realized how locked in she was offensively
"All week. It wasn't just, you know, before this game. All week, I was locked in on the 1st game of conference, you know, just one team at a time and go get the dough."
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