Season plans still in flux

Fans won't be able to see the team in person as they did last year, but they hope they can celebrate when play resumes this season. (Stanford Athletics)

“Stay tuned.”

That’s associate head coach Kate Paye’s advice to Stanford women’s basketball fans who are wondering when and how the 2020-21 season will proceed.

“Things are changing constantly,” she said in a recent phone interview.

Despite the fluid situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic, several things are known for sure.

Games to start Nov. 25

First, the NCAA Div. I and Pac-12 will allow competition to begin Nov. 25. However, the schedule is still in flux. Moreover, Stanford’s start must also be cleared by Santa Clara County health authorities.

There might be more conference games than usual because all Pac-12 teams are following the same testing protocols.  Assuming other schools adhere to the same health guidelines as Stanford, colleges closer to home might be scheduled to avoid plane travel, Kate said.

In the meantime, some players are working on shooting and ball-handling skills on outdoor courts in accord with county rules. An outdoor weight training facility has been set up for conditioning.

Practice can resume Oct. 14 if the county approves.

Sorry, no fans

Second, no fans will be allowed at the games. That situation will be revisited in January, said Stanford president Marc Tessier-Lavigne.

Third, all of the players are on campus and healthy. They include the two international players, senior forward Alyssa Jerome from Canada and freshman guard Agnes Emma-Nnopu from Australia.

New coaches Katy Steding and Britney Anderson also are on The Farm, joining Kate and head coach Tara VanDerveer.

Fourth, everyone is undergoing COVID-19 testing in accord with university and Santa Clara County protocols.

Fifth, along with all other athletes, they’re staying in the new Escondido graduate student housing complex. Looking ahead, there might be what Kate called Olympic village-type housing. Officials are “refining housing plans,” she said.

Besides men’s and women’s basketball, sports hoping to resume are football, wrestling, women’s gymnastics, and men’s and women’s swimming and diving.

Maya opts out of season

Sixth, the team is missing senior forward Maya Dodson, who has opted out of the season and is at home in Georgia. Like everyone else at home and on campus, she’s taking her classes remotely.

“I have spent time reflecting on my personal circumstances navigating the midst of vast uncertainty, be it college sports, the gravity of the pandemic, or the complicated political and social justice climates,” Maya said on social media.

Like Maya, the players are closely following the issues, and the U.S. citizens have registered to vote, Kate said.

In accord with rules regarding student-athletes who opt out of this season, Maya is still a Stanford student and will retain a year of eligibility, Kate said. “We respect everybody’s decision.”

Maya wrote, “As a senior, I will take leadership in stride and support (my teammates) in any way I can from afar.”

Also missing is senior guard Estella Moschkau, who graduated early and has transferred to grad school at the University of Wisconsin in her home state.

Staying flexible and positive

Despite the masks and social distancing, Kate said, “we’re really excited to see each other.”

On a personal note, Kate’s daughters, like the Stanford players, are studying online. Anne is in kindergarten while Cassie is in fourth grade.

Kate praised campus leaders for all they have been doing to make sure everything goes right.

In the meantime, “we’re trying to stay flexible and positive,” Kate concluded.