[fullmetal]

The team lost #2 player (and All-American) Mallory Burdette before the season, so there's been a lot of people breaking into new roles.  The team is hitting its stride none too soon.

Stanford is the lowest-seeded team to reach the championship match since UCLA's runner-up finish also as a No. 12 seed in 2007. It's really an incredible accomplishment for a squad that lost its No. 2 player and All-American Mallory Burdette in September, as she elected to forego her senior season and begin her pro career. Prior to this season, only Nicole Gibbs and Stacey Tan had competed in more than two NCAA Tournament matches. A walk-on during her first two seasons, Natalie Dillon had not played in the lineup full-time until her junior year. Who knew what Kristie Ahn would provide? She missed all but three matches in 2012 and basically the entire 2011 postseason due to injuries. Ellen Tsay has limited NCAA experience and Krista Hardebeck is a rookie. Head coach Lele Forood and associate head coach Frankie Brennan have been there and done that during their legendary tenures on The Farm, but this one must feel extra special.

Forood and Brennan recruited well last season :)  (And Hardebeck chose wisely!)

http://www.gostanford.com/sports/w-tenni...13aaf.html

[fullmetal]

The team lost #2 player (and All-American) Mallory Burdette before the season, so there's been a lot of people breaking into new roles.  The team is hitting its stride none too soon.

Stanford is the lowest-seeded team to reach the championship match since UCLA's runner-up finish also as a No. 12 seed in 2007. It's really an incredible accomplishment for a squad that lost its No. 2 player and All-American Mallory Burdette in September, as she elected to forego her senior season and begin her pro career. Prior to this season, only Nicole Gibbs and Stacey Tan had competed in more than two NCAA Tournament matches. A walk-on during her first two seasons, Natalie Dillon had not played in the lineup full-time until her junior year. Who knew what Kristie Ahn would provide? She missed all but three matches in 2012 and basically the entire 2011 postseason due to injuries. Ellen Tsay has limited NCAA experience and Krista Hardebeck is a rookie. Head coach Lele Forood and associate head coach Frankie Brennan have been there and done that during their legendary tenures on The Farm, but this one must feel extra special.

Forood and Brennan recruited well last season :)  (And Hardebeck chose wisely!)

http://www.gostanford.com/sports/w-tenni...13aaf.html