[2006alum]

I too am late to the party -- thanks to a recent death in the family on top of everything else the past year has thrown at me (and the world), this definitely felt like the rare bright spot lately.

I'm so thrilled for Tara and the team - for some reason, from the outset, this team felt like they had a championship in them. I never wanted to voice this thought out loud, but with Fudd going to UConn and both SCarolina and UConn having beyond stacked rosters starting next season, part of me thought this year really was our best shot at finally getting that third championship, and I'm sure glad we didn't squander the opportunity. And as soon as they announced the tourney would be held in San Antonio, as I remarked in one of our bball threads, it seemed like Kiana got locked in and started playing with a renewed focus. It really did feel like it was meant to be this year.

And it's almost impossible as a casual fan to appreciate all that the women's team put up with this year in terms of travel, testing, uncertainty, isolation, and upset routines. It's true that we did not play our best in the finals, and I wish Kiana hadn't dropped a stinker in her final game in a Stanford uniform in her hometown. But a win, is a win, is a win, and as we've all said all year, survive and advance. As Tara said during the post-game, no one remembers the score or how many points - they remember who won, and we did. We keep our 45-year natty streak alive. Tara is now the winningest coach in D1 Bball history. She is also the coach who has gone the longest in ANY D1 men's or women's sport between championships: 29 years! This third championship should silence all the haters and doubters who thought Tara would never be able to get over the hump, that the PAC-12 hasn't won a championship in decades, etc. etc.

So more than anything, this is about respect and desert. This team did everything to earn the respect a title conveys, and as much as any sports team I've ever followed, they deserve it. Their grit, their unselfishness on and off the court, their excellent comportment in interviews, everything. Rarely have I found a championship team more worthy of praise and appreciation.

So thank you Tara, thank you ladies, and thank you Stanford.

[2006alum]

I too am late to the party -- thanks to a recent death in the family on top of everything else the past year has thrown at me (and the world), this definitely felt like the rare bright spot lately.

I'm so thrilled for Tara and the team - for some reason, from the outset, this team felt like they had a championship in them. I never wanted to voice this thought out loud, but with Fudd going to UConn and both SCarolina and UConn having beyond stacked rosters starting next season, part of me thought this year really was our best shot at finally getting that third championship, and I'm sure glad we didn't squander the opportunity. And as soon as they announced the tourney would be held in San Antonio, as I remarked in one of our bball threads, it seemed like Kiana got locked in and started playing with a renewed focus. It really did feel like it was meant to be this year.

And it's almost impossible as a casual fan to appreciate all that the women's team put up with this year in terms of travel, testing, uncertainty, isolation, and upset routines. It's true that we did not play our best in the finals, and I wish Kiana hadn't dropped a stinker in her final game in a Stanford uniform in her hometown. But a win, is a win, is a win, and as we've all said all year, survive and advance. As Tara said during the post-game, no one remembers the score or how many points - they remember who won, and we did. We keep our 45-year natty streak alive. Tara is now the winningest coach in D1 Bball history. She is also the coach who has gone the longest in ANY D1 men's or women's sport between championships: 29 years! This third championship should silence all the haters and doubters who thought Tara would never be able to get over the hump, that the PAC-12 hasn't won a championship in decades, etc. etc.

So more than anything, this is about respect and desert. This team did everything to earn the respect a title conveys, and as much as any sports team I've ever followed, they deserve it. Their grit, their unselfishness on and off the court, their excellent comportment in interviews, everything. Rarely have I found a championship team more worthy of praise and appreciation.

So thank you Tara, thank you ladies, and thank you Stanford.