[Softball Fan]

Hopefully the pandemic will be under control by next season and Tara will be able to schedule some tough non-conference teams early in the season and see how the team stacks up against tough defenses. I can't wait to see how Brink develops and which of the non-starters emerge as starters or players coming in quickly off the bench.

[Softball Fan]

Hopefully the pandemic will be under control by next season and Tara will be able to schedule some tough non-conference teams early in the season and see how the team stacks up against tough defenses. I can't wait to see how Brink develops and which of the non-starters emerge as starters or players coming in quickly off the bench.

[Madera86]

WE'RE NUMBER ONE! WE'RE NUMBER ONE! WE'RE NUMBER ONE!

Congratulations to Coach Tara VanDerveer. What an outstanding mentor and representative for Stanford. And congratulations to an amazing group of student-athletes. So proud to be a Cardinal. 

And the Streak is alive! Long live the Streak!

[Madera86]

WE'RE NUMBER ONE! WE'RE NUMBER ONE! WE'RE NUMBER ONE!

Congratulations to Coach Tara VanDerveer. What an outstanding mentor and representative for Stanford. And congratulations to an amazing group of student-athletes. So proud to be a Cardinal. 

And the Streak is alive! Long live the Streak!

[BostonCard]

When 5-6 McDonald launched that shot, she was being defended by 5-10 Anna Wilson, 6-0 Lexie Hulll, and 6-4 Cameron Brink.

And yet, she not only got it off, she drew iron.  That was an unbelievable effort by McDonald, and if she had made it, I'd have been devastated but at that point you just take your hat off to her.  That being said, with three players guarding McDonald, there were two wide open Wildcats.

I didn't like that the last two games, the opponent had a chance to score and got a good look as time expired, and we were fortunate they didn't go in.

BC

[BostonCard]

When 5-6 McDonald launched that shot, she was being defended by 5-10 Anna Wilson, 6-0 Lexie Hulll, and 6-4 Cameron Brink.

And yet, she not only got it off, she drew iron.  That was an unbelievable effort by McDonald, and if she had made it, I'd have been devastated but at that point you just take your hat off to her.  That being said, with three players guarding McDonald, there were two wide open Wildcats.

I didn't like that the last two games, the opponent had a chance to score and got a good look as time expired, and we were fortunate they didn't go in.

BC

[BobK]

So very very happy for Tara. She so deserves this. I missed what Tara said about Willians it ended with but she stayed out there

A tremendous team effort with certainly some luck thrown in.

Exhausted. Drained and just can’t imagine what the players coaches and staff went thru.

National Champ. Sounds great

[BobK]

So very very happy for Tara. She so deserves this. I missed what Tara said about Willians it ended with but she stayed out there

A tremendous team effort with certainly some luck thrown in.

Exhausted. Drained and just can’t imagine what the players coaches and staff went thru.

National Champ. Sounds great

[BostonCard]

Yes, but how long has it been since only 1 bench player (Prechtel) scored points?  Jerome was the only other bench player that even attempted a shot.

While Arizona had two bench players score, one of their starters didn't, so both teams got all their points from six players.

BC

[BostonCard]

Yes, but how long has it been since only 1 bench player (Prechtel) scored points?  Jerome was the only other bench player that even attempted a shot.

While Arizona had two bench players score, one of their starters didn't, so both teams got all their points from six players.

BC

[martyup]

Yes, but how long has it been since only 1 bench player (Prechtel) scored points?  Jerome was the only other bench player that even attempted a shot.

While Arizona had two bench players score, one of their starters didn't, so both teams got all their points from six players.

BC

Pretty unusual for our team this season.

[martyup]

Yes, but how long has it been since only 1 bench player (Prechtel) scored points?  Jerome was the only other bench player that even attempted a shot.

While Arizona had two bench players score, one of their starters didn't, so both teams got all their points from six players.

BC

Pretty unusual for our team this season.

[BosCard]

So very very happy for Tara.  She so deserves this.  I missed what Tara said about Willians it ended with but she stayed out there

A tremendous team effort with certainly some luck thrown in. 

Exhausted.  Drained and just can’t imagine what the players coaches and staff went thru.

National Champ. Sounds great

So happy for this team.  I think losing this game to an opponent we had beaten twice before might have been devastating for the program.  Like we squandered our best shot at a national championship.  But we had just enough defense to squeak out a win.  Hopefully future teams will play a little looser and not feel so much pressure to make up for historical losses.

[BosCard]

So very very happy for Tara.  She so deserves this.  I missed what Tara said about Willians it ended with but she stayed out there

A tremendous team effort with certainly some luck thrown in. 

Exhausted.  Drained and just can’t imagine what the players coaches and staff went thru.

National Champ. Sounds great

So happy for this team.  I think losing this game to an opponent we had beaten twice before might have been devastating for the program.  Like we squandered our best shot at a national championship.  But we had just enough defense to squeak out a win.  Hopefully future teams will play a little looser and not feel so much pressure to make up for historical losses.

[Branner77]

McDonald was 11 of 42 in the two prior games against LSJU this season, so 5 of 20 was pretty much on brand for her.

I heard Tara say last week that Anna Wilson may return for her 6th season next year. Everyone gets a free Covid year of eligibility? She deserves to be drafted by the WNBA but if not, please come back!

[Branner77]

McDonald was 11 of 42 in the two prior games against LSJU this season, so 5 of 20 was pretty much on brand for her.

I heard Tara say last week that Anna Wilson may return for her 6th season next year. Everyone gets a free Covid year of eligibility? She deserves to be drafted by the WNBA but if not, please come back!

[martyup]

Wilson is a really good shooter, both inside and out.  If she comes back, I'd like to see her get more involved on the offensive end. She was overshadowed by Ki this season and didn't really attempt many shots. With Ki gone, Wilson might just bloom on offense.

[martyup]

Wilson is a really good shooter, both inside and out.  If she comes back, I'd like to see her get more involved on the offensive end. She was overshadowed by Ki this season and didn't really attempt many shots. With Ki gone, Wilson might just bloom on offense.

[CompSci87]

ALL RIGHT NOW

[CompSci87]

ALL RIGHT NOW

[terry]

I didn't like that the last two games, the opponent had a chance to score and got a good look as time expired, and we were fortunate they didn't go in.

I thought S. Carolina got a good look at the end. Arizona did not get such a good look. I thought McDonald's shot was in the "a hope and a prayer" category. Stanford's real stroke of luck was that McDonald ran the clock all the way down. If she had taken the shot a little earlier, an Arizona player would have had a chance at an easy put-back, because Stanford wasn't setting up to rebound the shot.

[terry]

I didn't like that the last two games, the opponent had a chance to score and got a good look as time expired, and we were fortunate they didn't go in.

I thought S. Carolina got a good look at the end. Arizona did not get such a good look. I thought McDonald's shot was in the "a hope and a prayer" category. Stanford's real stroke of luck was that McDonald ran the clock all the way down. If she had taken the shot a little earlier, an Arizona player would have had a chance at an easy put-back, because Stanford wasn't setting up to rebound the shot.

[Nan3cy]

I loved that the first thing Kiana and Tara said after the game was praise for AZ.

[Nan3cy]

I loved that the first thing Kiana and Tara said after the game was praise for AZ.

[magnus]

I didn't like that the last two games, the opponent had a chance to score and got a good look as time expired, and we were fortunate they didn't go in.

I thought S. Carolina got a good look at the end. Arizona did not get such a good look. I thought McDonald's shot was in the "a hope and a prayer" category. Stanford's real stroke of luck was that McDonald ran the clock all the way down. If she had taken the shot a little earlier, an Arizona player would have had a chance at an easy put-back, because Stanford wasn't setting up to rebound the shot.

We can thank Anna Wilson's defense for that.  Aari couldn't get a clean look.

[magnus]

I didn't like that the last two games, the opponent had a chance to score and got a good look as time expired, and we were fortunate they didn't go in.

I thought S. Carolina got a good look at the end. Arizona did not get such a good look. I thought McDonald's shot was in the "a hope and a prayer" category. Stanford's real stroke of luck was that McDonald ran the clock all the way down. If she had taken the shot a little earlier, an Arizona player would have had a chance at an easy put-back, because Stanford wasn't setting up to rebound the shot.

We can thank Anna Wilson's defense for that.  Aari couldn't get a clean look.

[jonnyss]

Credit Wilson for gutting it out, she really started to pickup her play in the 4th, and we probably would've lost if she didn't come back into the game after that knock.  Kiana really struggled, but glad it wasn't the difference.  I can't wait to see Brink next year, I think her and Jones will be two of the biggest stars in the nation, especially once she gets smarter about not fouling.  This was a very special team, and they really deserved the championship this year with the talent they had and the adversity they overcame.

to my eyes, cam even smacked aari in the face on the last shot. could have been called. makes me more sympathetic to UConn on the last second no call against dijonai.

[jonnyss]

Credit Wilson for gutting it out, she really started to pickup her play in the 4th, and we probably would've lost if she didn't come back into the game after that knock.  Kiana really struggled, but glad it wasn't the difference.  I can't wait to see Brink next year, I think her and Jones will be two of the biggest stars in the nation, especially once she gets smarter about not fouling.  This was a very special team, and they really deserved the championship this year with the talent they had and the adversity they overcame.

to my eyes, cam even smacked aari in the face on the last shot. could have been called. makes me more sympathetic to UConn on the last second no call against dijonai.

[terry]

I didn't like that the last two games, the opponent had a chance to score and got a good look as time expired, and we were fortunate they didn't go in.

I thought S. Carolina got a good look at the end. Arizona did not get such a good look. I thought McDonald's shot was in the "a hope and a prayer" category. Stanford's real stroke of luck was that McDonald ran the clock all the way down. If she had taken the shot a little earlier, an Arizona player would have had a chance at an easy put-back, because Stanford wasn't setting up to rebound the shot.

We can thank Anna Wilson's defense for that.  Aari couldn't get a clean look.

Good point, you're right -- it wasn't luck, it was good defense.

[terry]

I didn't like that the last two games, the opponent had a chance to score and got a good look as time expired, and we were fortunate they didn't go in.

I thought S. Carolina got a good look at the end. Arizona did not get such a good look. I thought McDonald's shot was in the "a hope and a prayer" category. Stanford's real stroke of luck was that McDonald ran the clock all the way down. If she had taken the shot a little earlier, an Arizona player would have had a chance at an easy put-back, because Stanford wasn't setting up to rebound the shot.

We can thank Anna Wilson's defense for that.  Aari couldn't get a clean look.

Good point, you're right -- it wasn't luck, it was good defense.

[Durty Nelly]

Watch again.  Minimal to no contact by Brink.

Credit Wilson for gutting it out, she really started to pickup her play in the 4th, and we probably would've lost if she didn't come back into the game after that knock.  Kiana really struggled, but glad it wasn't the difference.  I can't wait to see Brink next year, I think her and Jones will be two of the biggest stars in the nation, especially once she gets smarter about not fouling.  This was a very special team, and they really deserved the championship this year with the talent they had and the adversity they overcame.

to my eyes, cam even smacked aari in the face on the last shot. could have been called. makes me more sympathetic to UConn on the last second no call against dijonai.

[Durty Nelly]

Watch again.  Minimal to no contact by Brink.

Credit Wilson for gutting it out, she really started to pickup her play in the 4th, and we probably would've lost if she didn't come back into the game after that knock.  Kiana really struggled, but glad it wasn't the difference.  I can't wait to see Brink next year, I think her and Jones will be two of the biggest stars in the nation, especially once she gets smarter about not fouling.  This was a very special team, and they really deserved the championship this year with the talent they had and the adversity they overcame.

to my eyes, cam even smacked aari in the face on the last shot. could have been called. makes me more sympathetic to UConn on the last second no call against dijonai.

[ca245]

If Arizona uses snubs -- such as the NCAA promo video -- to motivate itself, they just got something to carry over to next season. ESPN came out with its Way-Too-Early" Top 25 teams for next season, and Arizona didn't make the list, despite making the championship game this season. (We were #3, after Uconn and S.Car.)
Way-Too-Early Top 25

[ca245]

If Arizona uses snubs -- such as the NCAA promo video -- to motivate itself, they just got something to carry over to next season. ESPN came out with its Way-Too-Early" Top 25 teams for next season, and Arizona didn't make the list, despite making the championship game this season. (We were #3, after Uconn and S.Car.)
Way-Too-Early Top 25

[Card Fan in OR]

81alum wrote:


This team, and this coach, deserved this championship.  And I think the fans who have screamed themselves hoarse for three decades deserve just a little bit of it.

I am so proud to be an alum of an institution that has put Tara Vanderveer at the head of this outstanding program, with such outstanding women, who go on to do such outstanding things--and to make absolutely no compromises in ethics or academics to do it.  To win a national championship in this era with such integrity, class, and academic achievement is a stunning accomplishment.  And that is why I am a Stanford fan.

Thank you team, and thank you coaches, and thank you Tara, not only for bringing us fans a national championship, but for doing it in the right way.

>>>>>

Couldn't have said it better, so I won't even try.

[Card Fan in OR]

81alum wrote:


This team, and this coach, deserved this championship.  And I think the fans who have screamed themselves hoarse for three decades deserve just a little bit of it.

I am so proud to be an alum of an institution that has put Tara Vanderveer at the head of this outstanding program, with such outstanding women, who go on to do such outstanding things--and to make absolutely no compromises in ethics or academics to do it.  To win a national championship in this era with such integrity, class, and academic achievement is a stunning accomplishment.  And that is why I am a Stanford fan.

Thank you team, and thank you coaches, and thank you Tara, not only for bringing us fans a national championship, but for doing it in the right way.

>>>>>

Couldn't have said it better, so I won't even try.

[Durty Nelly]

Watch again.  Minimal to no contact by Brink.

Credit Wilson for gutting it out, she really started to pickup her play in the 4th, and we probably would've lost if she didn't come back into the game after that knock.  Kiana really struggled, but glad it wasn't the difference.  I can't wait to see Brink next year, I think her and Jones will be two of the biggest stars in the nation, especially once she gets smarter about not fouling.  This was a very special team, and they really deserved the championship this year with the talent they had and the adversity they overcame.

to my eyes, cam even smacked aari in the face on the last shot. could have been called. makes me more sympathetic to UConn on the last second no call against dijonai.

[Durty Nelly]

Watch again.  Minimal to no contact by Brink.

Credit Wilson for gutting it out, she really started to pickup her play in the 4th, and we probably would've lost if she didn't come back into the game after that knock.  Kiana really struggled, but glad it wasn't the difference.  I can't wait to see Brink next year, I think her and Jones will be two of the biggest stars in the nation, especially once she gets smarter about not fouling.  This was a very special team, and they really deserved the championship this year with the talent they had and the adversity they overcame.

to my eyes, cam even smacked aari in the face on the last shot. could have been called. makes me more sympathetic to UConn on the last second no call against dijonai.

[UltimateCard]

And no, this is not turning out to be "beautiful basketball."

That's what tough defense does.  Both teams playing aggressive defense.  Unfortunately some casual fans will see the turn overs and missed shots as a bad quality of basketball by the PAC-12.

Well, I guess it was good enough quality for the Pac-12 to own the title game.  It ain't pretty if you don't win.  All the "pretty" basketball playing teams were watching from home.

The PAC-12 title game teams knocked out all the teams that had been ranked #1 at some point this season except one (and that nearly happened!). The last one standing at the end.

[UltimateCard]

And no, this is not turning out to be "beautiful basketball."

That's what tough defense does.  Both teams playing aggressive defense.  Unfortunately some casual fans will see the turn overs and missed shots as a bad quality of basketball by the PAC-12.

Well, I guess it was good enough quality for the Pac-12 to own the title game.  It ain't pretty if you don't win.  All the "pretty" basketball playing teams were watching from home.

The PAC-12 title game teams knocked out all the teams that had been ranked #1 at some point this season except one (and that nearly happened!). The last one standing at the end.