SKY QUOTES

Head Coach Steven Key
On his feelings about this first game:
“With an exhibition game, you get to gauge where you are after a week’s worth of practice and get a chance to play against someone else for a change. I felt we shared the ball really well with 22 assists in the game and I felt we defended really well. Our players were in the right spot at the right time and we had good spacing. We’re headed in the right direction.”

On who stood out:
“Chasity Melvin really stood out. She is in great shape and is ready to go. The battle against Sylvia every day in practice will make them both better, and will make the whole team better.”

“Quianna also did a great job of coming in and knocking down some big shots. She doesn’t hesitate. I was pleasantly surprised to see her play the way she did at this level.”

#15 Quianna Chaney
On playing in her first WNBA game:
“I was scared and a little nervous to start with, but when the team came in at the half and Coach Key spoke with us, I felt a little more calm and was able to get in a groove.”

#34 Sylvia Fowles
On playing in her first WNBA game:
“I kept telling myself before the game that I was not nervous, but when I got on the court I felt like my legs were not moving and I felt like I was not doing anything I was supposed to do. I told myself to calm down and stay focused and in the second half I was less nervous and able to play a lot better.”

“I saw Yolanda and I wanted to ask her for her autograph. I am star struck.”

On what she was most pleased with about her game tonight:
“I’m happy to be here, but I was not happy with my game. I need to work on calling for the ball more and being stronger with the ball, crashing the boards.”

On her thumb, which had to be taped in the first quarter:
“I just scraped it, I’m alright.”

STORM QUOTES

Head Coach Brian Agler
On the first preseason game:
“I think we learned a lot about our team. I think we learned a lot about our personnel. I think we learned quite a bit about how physical the game needs to be played. Some of these people playing their first game learned some stuff.”

On the additions of veterans Sheryl Swoopes and Yolanda Griffith:
“I think they’re still working to get in shape a little bit, but obviously they have a presence in the game, they play with a lot of poise, they anticipate what can happen and obviously it’s a plus.”

On playing the Sky in the regular season opener:
“They are going to have a good team. Sylvia Fowles obviously is going to help them. It’ll be interesting to see who will make the rest of their squad. They’re going to be real solid, there is no question about it.”

#13 Yolanda Griffith:
On why she decided to sign with Seattle:
“The experience they have. I’ve always wanted to play for Brian (Agler), he is a great coach and I still feel like I can learn more from him. You’ve got LJ (Lauren Jackson), who is a two-time MVP, you’ve got Sue Bird who I’ve won gold medals with, you’ve got Sheryl Swoopes, a veteran player. This was just an opportunity and I am pretty sure anyone given this opportunity would have taken it, too.”