UIC head coach Shannon Tully

On playing Northwestern in the first roundÉ

ÒItÕs obviously an experience, but itÕs difficult. TheyÕre so many levels above us and above most teams in the country so it was hard. ItÕs hard to get in it and survive the points but itÕs definitely a positive experience.Ó

On the season as a wholeÉ

ÒI thought our season this year was, on paper, our results were much stronger than the past so we are doing better regionally. We still arenÕt really hanging with the top teams in the country but I was really proud of our girls this year. They did a great job and our conference is getting much stronger. Winning that was great and having 12 straight conference wins as well.Ó

Northwestern head coach Claire Pollard

On beating UIC in the first roundÉ

I thought it was a good, clean performance. I thought we were focused, good energy, didnÕt let them into any matches. TheyÕve had a great season and I hate to beat a good friend like Shannon [Tully], but itÕs part of the business.Ó

On whether or not itÕs difficult to motivate the team as such heavy favoritesÉ

ÒI donÕt think so. You know that if you donÕt, youÕre going home. I think if you lose it, itÕs easy to bring it back. WeÕve had a lot of practice at playing when weÕre heavily favored. We talked a lot this year that if things were decided on paper, IÕm not sure any coach or any writer or anyone whoÕs in college tennis would have written Northwestern as the one seed in the tournament. You go out and earn it for yourself and IÕm proud of the way weÕve earned things for ourselves and will continue to do so.Ó