The 1990's

As we have seen, the 70's and 80's were full of changes for a Stanford team that rose to the top of women's basketball. Getting to the top wasdifficult feat, but staying there was an even tougher challenge for the Cardinal in the 90's. The '90-'91 squad had the daunting task of following the "dream season" and trying to live up to those expectations.

The '90-'91 squad had an outstanding season, and lived up to all expectations. They once again captured the PAC 10 title with three players, Sonja Henning, Trisha Stevens, and Julie Zeilstra making theAll Conference Team. Henning was further honored as PAC 10 player of the year and as a Kodak All-American. The team made it to the FinalFour in New Orleans, but suffered losses along the way. Trisha Stevens suffered a knee injury in the Regional Semifinals, and Julie Zeilstra pulled her calf muscle just minutes before their game against Tennessee. The dreams of another National Championship were gone with a loss to Tennessee. The team ended the season with a 26-6 record and a trip to the Final Four which everyone was extremely proud to have accomplished.

It finally looked like Stanford would have to stop and catch its breathfor a season when the '91-'92 campaign began. However, five new outstanding freshmen, and tough returnees such as Val Whiting and Molly Goodenbour would make sure that the Cardinal would not fade from national prominence. Once again Stanford captured the PAC 10 crown with Val Whiting garnering PAC 10 player of the year as well as Kodak All-American. Anita Kaplan and Rachel Hemmer were on the All-Freshman squad, with Hemmer being named Freshman of the Year. They once again made it to the Final Four in Los Angeles, but this time were not to be denied. In a historic match-up with Virginia in the semifinals, Stanford won by just one point. They went on to defeatWestern Kentucky for their second National Title, and another trip to the White House. Stanford was a bona fide powerhouse in women's basketball.

With all five starters returning from the National Championship team, the '92-'93 season looked very bright. The pressure was high for another National Championship and the team was poised to answer the call. They won yet another PAC 10 title with Val Whiting once again being named PAC 10 Player of the Year and Kodak All-American. MollyGoodenbour was also on the All Conference Team. Unfortunately, things don't always fall perfectly into place. Stanford suffered a heartbreaking loss to Colorado in the Regional Semifinals, and just like that the season was done. They still had much to be proud of with a PAC 10Championship and an excellent 26-6 record.

Instead of crying over the loss of four great seniors, the coaching staff went out and found five amazing recruits to add to the mix. Jamila Wideman, Kate Starbird, Charmin Smith, Vanessa Nygaard, and Tara Harrington made an immediate impact on the Stanford team. This was an extremely youthful team who took a lot of knocks, but still managed to finish second in the PAC 10 and make it to the Regional Finals before losing to Purdue. They finished with a 25-6 record and tons of experience. Christy Hedgpeth, Rachel Hemmer, and Anita Kaplan all made the All-Conference squad, with Jamila Wideman and Kate Starbird taking All Freshman honors. The coaching staff decided it more height and inside depth to help out Hemmer and Kaplan who were the true posts.

For the '94-'95 season, Stanford brought in six freshmen, all over six feet tall. This team may have been young, but they had lofty goals. They put themselves back on top of the PAC 10 with Anita Kaplan and Kate Starbird taking All Conference Kristin Folkl and Naomi Mulitauaopele made the All-Freshmen team VanDerveer was once again named PAC 10 Coach of the Year. They powered their way to the Final Four in Minneapolis, but fell to eventual National Champion, Connecticut, finishing with an enviable 30-3 record. Yet, some big changes were coming and how the team handled them would determine their success in '95-'96.

A great honor was bestowed on Stanford coach, Tara VanDerveer, for the'95-'96 season. She was named the United States Olympic coach for the'96 games in Atlanta. The nation's gain was Stanford's loss becauseVanDerveer was required to takealeave of absence from Stanford forthe season to coach the National Team through a year long American and International tour. VanDerveer left the team in good hands, though.

Associate coach Amy Tucker slid into the head coaching spot along with legendary coach Marianne Stanley. As co-head coaches, they helped theStanford team continue its winning tradition.

The '95-'96 season was another banner year for the Cardinal. They dominated the PAC 10 with an 18-0 mark. Jamila Wideman and KateStarbird were All Conference with Starbird also taking home Player of the Year honors, as well as Kodak All-American. Amy Tucker and MarianneStanley took home the PAC 10 Co-coaches of the Year honors along with the United Press International Coach of the Year. The team made it to the Final Four yet again, this time in Charlotte. Though Georgia stood in their way this time, the Cardinal fought hard until the end. They finished the season 29-3 and kept fond memories of a unique season.

Tara VanDerveer went on to coach the U.S. team to a gold medal in Atlanta with Jennifer Azzi and Katy Steding as part of that history-making year. VanDerveer returned for the '96-'97 season, as did 10 players from the previous season's Final Four team. Stanford was in the title hunt once again. Three new outstanding freshmen rounded out an already deep Cardinal squad. This team powered through its schedule, once again winning the PAC 10 by going 18-0 for the second straight year. Olympia Scott, Kate Starbird, and Jamila Wideman were All Conference selections with Starbird taking home Player of the Year. Milena Flores was honored as an All-Freshmen selection and Tara VanDerveer was yet again, Coach of the Year in the PAC 10. Kate Starbird also brought home the Naismith National Player of the Year along with Kodak All-American honors. If that wasn't enough, she also ended her career as Stanford's all time leading scorer with 2215 points.

Every one of these honored players would have traded all that in for achance to be National Champions, but sadly the Cardinal fell justshort. They made it to the Final Four in Cincinnati and were matched upwith Old Dominion, the only team to beat them during the regularseason. In heartbreaking fashion, they lost by just one point inovertime. It was still one of the greatest seasons ever for Stanfordand they finished 34-2 with nothing to hang their heads about. Stanfordwould suffer some big losses from graduation, but they would hold ontotheir big and deep frontline and add four new faces.

After a rocky pre-season where the team was 3-4, the 1997-98 Cardinal turned up their game for the PAC 10. They were conference champions for the ninth time in ten years with a 17-1 record. Kristin Folkl, Vanessa Nygaard, and Olympia Scott were All Conference. With a number one seed, they looked poised to make another run to the Final Four. Fate had something different in mind. Both Vanessa Nygaard and Kristin Folkl, two of their leading scorers, suffered major knee injuries the week before Stanford's first round game. It was too much for the Cardinal to overcome and they lost to Harvard 67-71. Still, this team finished 21-6, with Kristin Folkl.

We now find ourselves at the just completed '98-'99 season. Twenty-five years from where the varsity team started. This season's team was what you would call "green" with six freshman, four sophomores, three juniors, and one senior. It was a team of definite challenges for coachVanDerveer, but she took them all in stride. They finished third in a competitive PAC 10 race, and earned the teams 12th consecutive bid to the NCAA tournament. The team finished with a respectable 18-12 record, with Milena Flores selected to the All-PAC 10 team and Lindsey Yamasaki and Bethany Donaphin selected to the PAC 10 All-Freshman team.