We're starting to come together and play better. Our defense has been pretty good all season. We just have to continue to hit the ball.

I'll do whatever. If they want me to play every single special team, play defense, even if they need me to play some offense. It sounds funny, but I'm gonna do whatever it takes for this team to win and make the next step.

It's always fun to watch Natalie play on defense because you never know when she will make that great play or make a throw that no one expected. Offensively we've seen a lot of growth in her this last year, expanding her game to include the short game, using her speed to be able to slap as well as drag bunt to get herself on base.

Illinois and Michigan State are both going to play pretty good defense. They're playing a little better than we are defensively right now, and I guarantee you both teams are going to run.

That was a tremendous stop. When we play defense, we can be pretty good and we did an outstanding job in the last 30 seconds. There are going to be some nights when it's going to come own to that one shot, and that's why we play defense and take pride in it.

I'm not a big fan of that play. But since no one (on defense) was trailing, it was a pretty safe bet at that point. I thought it was fine.