Monarchs center Yolanda Griffith, after a win last week, to the Sacramento Bee:
"I've been trying to help my team accomplish all that we can. It's not about stats or scoring or rebounding. I lead by example. Even when I'm struggling, Coach leaves me on the court just because of my presence. My teammates know who I am. That's the only thing that matters.""

Sun guard Lindsay Whalen, after a career-high 28 points in a win over Charlotte on Thursday night:
"It felt like a track mee. I was getting a little winded out there. I just wanted to stay aggressive, stay in the middle and create things that way."

Sue Bird and the Storm are looking for their second straight title. Bill Baptist/NBAE/Getty Images

Storm guard Sue Bird, to the News Tribune:
"It’s a women’s league, and it’s important to have people like Anne trailblazing the way. Because I know right now, women are the minority for head coaching positions. Anne is kind of the one carrying the load. She’s won the first title, she’s gotten to 100 first. Maybe when people see what Anne has done they won’t be … I don’t want to say scared … but will hire women coaches.”

Liberty coach Pat Coyle, on Vickie Johnson, to the New York Times:
"The first thing she talks about is defense and rebounding, then scoring. We want her to step up and be a scorer for us and get to the basket and get fouled. With Ann being out, V. J. is just as vital putting numbers on the board for us in addition to all the other stuff she does."

Sun coach Mike Thibault, after last week's loss at home to the Liberty, to the Norwich Bulletin:
"(Saturday) gave us answers to things we need to see and when we get to the playoffs. If we played (New York) in the playoffs, the strategy would probably be a little bit different (than Saturday night)."

Tamika Catchings, after a Tuesday win in Connecticut secured the second seed:
"We came in really composed. Last time we came in here, they blew us out."

Storm guard Betty Lennox, who returned last week from a sprained wrist:
"I try not to focus on the pain. I just try to focus on the game and not the wrist. I'm just happy to be out there."

Comets forward Sheryl Swoopes, after clinching a playoff berth on Thursday:
"I always go out and try to play good and stay focused and do whatever I have to do to help my team win. You can always play defense, you can always rebound and always put the effort out. If your shot's not falling, it's not going to fall."

Sparks forward Chamique Holdsclaw, to the L.A. Times:
"We're happy just to be in the playoffs. It's a whole new season now. We've got to go out there and bring our best game from this point on. Sacramento is a good team, but they're a team we know we can beat. Last year our roles were reversed … we were the No. 1 seed and they were No. 4, and they bumped us. Anything's possible in the playoffs. The level of play goes up a notch, and great teams will step up to the forefront."

Comets coach Van Chancellor:
"I've never seen Sheryl more focused to get into the playoffs," coach Van Chancellor said. "Tonight just clinched us. We've gone through so much this year. I was really proud of our team tonight. I thought the team showed a lot of character. We defended Phoenix really well, and they're hard for us to defend."

Shock coach Bill Laimbeer, on WNBA Shootaround on ESPN2 Saturday night:
"It will be very difficult to beat the Detroit Shock two games in a row. I don't care where we're playing."

Storm center Janell Burse, after wrapping up the second seed for the second straight year on Thursday night:
"It's kinda like déjà vu. We're hoping that things happen like last year as well. The team is different, but it's so much fun, especially nights like this."

Anne Donovan on Saturday night after their ninth straight win at home, with ESPN2's Heather Cox:
"Lauren wanted to play tonight after hurting her back, so Ithink she'll be able to come along with it and be ready. Betty is getting better everyday and is getting her legs back under her and is making good progress."

Sun coach Mike Thibault, to the Boston Globe, after wrapping up the best overall record in the WNBA on Friday night:
"It feels real good. At the beginning of the year, we set certain goals: make the playoffs, take care of the conference and get the best overall record."

Indiana center Natalie Williams:
"Already, this has been an incredible season. This is the most wins I've ever had playing on any WNBA team. My kids start kindergarten, actually in a few weeks. So it's all about them now. It's their time now."

Liberty G.M. Carol Blazejowski, on her team, to the New York Times:
"Nobody wanted Becky, we pick her up. Nobody wanted Frett, we pick her up. Shameka Christon played for a small school in Arkansas, but we picked her up. Erin Thorn came from Brigham Young University. People knew about Elena Baranova and Ann, but they were considered soft Europeans. I'm real proud of my cast of characters."

Sun forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin, to the Hartford Courant, after closing out the regular season with a win:
"We wanted to make sure we went out winners and moved forward as winners."

Mystics coach Richie Adubato, after missing the playoffs, to the Washington Times:
"We lost a lot of close games this year that would have made the difference. We owe it to the fans and we owe it to ourselves to understand that when we look in the mirror every night [we have to know] we laid it out on the floor."