March 29, 2006
Quotes from Arizona State Women's Golf Head Coach Melissa Luellen
On what happened at ASU's last Tournament in Guadaljara, Mexico
"The overall feel of the tournament felt flat. I didn't feel like there was that urgency to try to win. The way we are looking at the semester is to learn from each tournament. I don't think we will be flat for the [PING/ASU Invitational]. I think the players are worried about peaking at the right time. This is all uncharted territory for them. We are just staying on task. We need to hit the ball well. Not having a fifth score caught up to us [in Guadalajara]. That was three tournaments in a row we haven't counted our fifth player's score. I think we will see a change in that in this tournament. Brooke Todare qualified and has been playing really well. She has been making birdies. So hopefully we can get a low fifth score to count."
On having a three-week layoff since ASU's last tournament:
"I think at this time of year it's a great three-week space with spring break thrown in there. These kids were really tired. We played three tournaments in four weeks. When we are gone five days at a time, it's tough. Traveling is tough. Guadalajara was a physically demanding trip. We were gone a full extra day. They were really tired. Everyone feels rested now and they are caught up in school. In golf terms, it doesn't really hurt you [to not compete for three weeks]. It only hurts when you are out for three or four months away from competition. They are practicing mentally every day."
On winning the PING/ASU Invitational last year and on defending that title this year:
"Last year we were so excited to win our tournament. It was a scorecard win. We actually tied with UCLA but the fifth player score won the tournament for us. So for it to be that close last year was exciting for us. This year we would love to win outright. The girls feel like they are contenders and confident. I think that they'll be really excited for the event. Every time you play at home, there is just that little more pressure to win. We are only at home one time this year and we really want to enjoy it."
On the importance of having a good showing this weekend with postseason coming up:
"I think it is really important to have a good showing at the tournament going into Pac-10s. One of our goals this year is to win the Pac-10 championship. To get a boost of confidence will make us mentally stronger. I'll be giving them some tough challenges during the break just to keep them more competitive. They are really hungry and ready for the postseason. We are looking at our tournament as a kick-off to postseason. We are taking everything that we've learned and we are going to apply it."
On if ASU has a "target on its back" at tournaments with its No.3 ranking:
"I still don't feel like we are the ones to be hunted. There are still a lot of things that we haven't accomplished yet whereas Duke and UCLA are the ones being `hunted'. I don't feel like we are there yet. I said to the girls, `Congratulations on being number three, but don't be satisfied with that. We want to be number one.'"