STANFORD, Calif.: Chiney and Nneka Ogwumike had their possibilities at championships for Stanford that fell brief earlier than the sisters celebrated one collectively in San Antonio when the Cardinal lastly gained once more.
Kate Starbird, Nicole Powell, Candice Wiggins and numerous others had been additionally a part of gifted Stanford groups that didn’t finish their seasons by slicing down the nets.
Its heartbreaking to undergo that, recalled Tara VanDerveer, who accomplished her thirty fifth 12 months teaching Stanford by capturing this system’s first NCAA championship since 1992.
The Cardinal made 10 Final Four appearances solely to come back up empty-handed since their earlier championship twice ending as runners-up earlier than holding off Pac-12 rival Arizona 54-53 to finish the almost three-decade drought.
It means every part, Wiggins stated of seeing Stanford come by way of this time.
VanDerveer and her emotionally spent group returned to Northern California on Monday for a victory parade by way of campus after capturing that elusive championship.
The Hall of Fame coach took time after successful to replicate on all of these particular gamers, deep runs and near-misses. And how this gifted group did it for the others who did their half to construct the perennial powerhouse.
I actually really feel like we gained this for all the nice gamers which have performed at Stanford,” VanDerveer stated. “The former players would be so proud to be part of this team because of the resilience theyve shown, because of the sisterhood that they represent.
That sisterhood became even stronger following a poor decision by players in September that could have derailed the championship season before it began.
Kiana Williams and some teammates left campus to play pickup basketball in a gym nearby when they were supposed to be under quarantine following COVID-19 protocols after everyone reconvened on campus.
VanDerveer shared her disappointment in their choices and her hurt.
That incident, as the coach and her star point guard described it after Sunday night’s win, made Williams strive to be a better leader. The only way she imagined making it up to her coach: hoisting the championship trophy.
When she found out she was just so heartbroken and disappointed, Williams said. I felt like the only way to make up for that is to win a national championship for her. Me and Alyssa (Jerome), we said from there on out were going to be better leaders, follow the rules, follow protocol, to win this natty. To look back on that experience, having that feeling to now, Im extremely proud of this team.
I also want to add I feel like it was worth it going to play those pickup games.
Yet positive coronavirus tests from that group delayed the start of practice. VanDerveer, in a more risky age group if she were to contract the virus, expressed her feelings and frustrations.
I was hurt. I was upset. I let them know that, she said. I think, though, that developed more trust with us as a staff with our players. They understood that you have to be accountable. But since then, we did have staff test positive three staff but no players.
I think that incident helped us because they were quarantined for 14 days. … It was a very tough year. That was just the beginning of it. But I think that really set the tone that said, Were going to be honest, were going to be trustworthy, and we need that from all of us. I think it was a learning experience.
It helped these close-knit women, who spent more than two months living out of hotels because of COVID-19 restrictions that prevented them from playing home games, make it up to the Hall of Fame coach they admire.
So many great players have passed through this program. They have all come for the same reason that we have, to be coached by the greatest, to develop not only as a player but just as a person, as a young woman,” sophomore Haley Jones stated. “So I feel that is simply an honor to have the ability to do that for her and along with her.
The 67-year-old VanDerveer is the all-time winningest ladies’s coach and she or he’s not able to say whether or not she is pondering retirement not but, anyway.
Maybe Ill give it some thought later. Right now I’m very enthusiastic about what we achieved, and Im actually excited in regards to the group that we’ve got … and the younger individuals which might be dedicated to Stanford, VanDerveer stated. Im glad. Im having fun with it. I dont know if I can undergo one other COVID 12 months, so I hope everyone is carrying their masks. Lets get higher so we are able to get again to regular.
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