Balanced scoring leads to victory over Santa Clara

Talana led the team with 16 points. (Stanford Athletics)

 

If you had asked what I would write if the Santa Clara game had continued on the same path as the first quarter, I would have said something like, “It wasn’t pretty, but it was a win, and we’ll take it.”

Yes, it was a win but not ugly. Instead, the Stanford women’s basketball team coalesced and came up with a 79-58 victory over the visiting Broncos on Nov. 6.

Of the nine of 12 available players who got into the game, six – evenly divided between upperclassmen and freshmen -- scored in double figures.

According to Stanford Athletics, this was the first time that six players had scored in double figures since Dec. 31, 2023, against Morgan State.

This time they were led by senior guard Talana Lepolo with 16 points.

She was followed by freshman forward Lara Somfai with 14 points plus 13 rebounds, junior forward Nunu Agara and freshman guard Hailee Swain with 13 each, junior guard Chloe Clardy with 12 and freshman forward Alex Eschmeyer with 11 plus 12 rebounds.

Stanford Athletics reported that Talana’s 16 points were the most she had scored since a career-high 20 at Cal on Dec. 29, 2023.

Talana also had four of the team’s 11 3-pointers, including two in row during the third quarter. Chloe had three 3’s. One each came from Nunu, Lara, Hailee and Alex.

As for what I might had written if the game had followed the first-quarter path, Santa Clara had 4-point lead about halfway through the quarter.

Sloppy play marked the Cardinal’s effort during that time. The first 4 points came from free throws, and the team had logged three fouls. The first basket didn’t come until about the 4:41 mark when Talana scored.

The score was tied 8-8 at the 3:40 mark, but when the buzzer sounded, Stanford had managed to pull ahead 17-12.

Things looked up after that. Nunu opened the second quarter with a trey, and Lara bookended it with a trey to end the half at 38-27. The advantage widened during the next two quarters to give Stanford the win.

The taller Stanford team dominated the boards with 52 rebounds to Santa Clara’s 30.

The home team also prevailed in other areas, but turnovers continued to be a problem with 14 to Santa Clara’s nine.

The three unavailable players were senior guard Lauren Green, sophomore center Kennedy Umeh and freshman forward Nora Ezike, but they didn’t appear to be seriously impaired.

Starters were Talana, Hailee, Courtney, Lara and Nunu.

Next up, the team will host Cal Poly at 1 p.m. Nov. 9 followed by a Behind the Bench.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great start to the new season

 

Players who have finished their stints  cheer for a teammate's score. (Stanford Athletics)

In what was definitely not a nail-biter, the Stanford women’s basketball team opened its regular season with an 87-42 home win over UNC Greensboro on Nov. 3.

As had been true in the exhibition win over Cal State LA, the Cardinal’s superior height was a big factor.

Sparsely attended with only 2,068 fans, the game was never in doubt. The visitors’ first score, a 3-pointer, didn’t come until just over three minutes into the first quarter.

In the meantime, freshman forward Lara Somfai had already scored Stanford’s first three baskets. She wound up with 15 total points to lead the five Stanford players in double figures.

Also in the double-figure column were two other freshmen: forward Alex Eschmeyer with 13 and guard Hailee Swain with 12. Two juniors -- guard Chloe Clardy with 12 and forward Nunu Agara with 10 -- joined them.

All 12 available players got into the game and scored. Reflective of the team’s emphasis on sisterhood, players on the bench erupted in cheers as two less-used players – sophomore forward Harper Peterson and freshman guard Carly Amborn – scored late in the game.

The unavailable players were senior guards Stavi Papadaki and Lauren Green along with sophomore center Kennedy Umeh. None of them appeared to be seriously impaired.

Starters for the game were Nunu, Lara, Hailee, junior forward Courtney Ogden and senior guard Talana Lepolo.

Stanford’s height helped to snare 44 rebounds vs. the Spartans’ 23.

Of Stanford’s seven 3’s, Chloe had two. One each came from Nunu, Lara, Alex, Carly and junior forward Mary Ashley Stevenson.

Free-throw shooting was a Stanford plus with 14 of 16, so were the 15 assists.  Turnovers were a minus with 13.

Up next, Stanford hosts neighboring Santa Clara at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 followed by Cal Poly at 1 p.m. Nov. 9.

A preview of coming attractions

 

Although it was only an exhibition game against an overmatched team, the Stanford women’s basketball 85-50 victory over Cal State LA on Oct. 29 offered some hints of what’s to  come.

One positive note from the start is that all 15 players were available, and all played, albeit with limited minutes for a few.

Right off the bat, head coach Kate Paye inserted two of the five freshmen – forward Lara Somfai and guard Hailee Swain – into the starting lineup.

They joined two juniors – forwards Nunu Agara and Courtney Ogden – along with senior guard Talana Lepolo as starters.

However, Kate substituted liberally throughout the game, probably to give everyone a taste of competition and to get a sense of what the rotation might look like in the coming season.

Four players were in double figures, led by junior guard Chloe Clardy with 20 points, followed by Nunu with 17, Lara with 13 and Hailee with 10. Lara also led the team with 10 of its 60 rebounds.

While Stanford has nine players 6 feet tall or taller, Cal State has only four. However, its players are quick and can force turnovers. Still, both sides had 13 turnovers, but some by Stanford were just miscues.

Free throws were a plus with 18 of 19, but 3-pointers were a minus, only three of 18. Chloe had two, and Talana had one.

Another plus was assists – 17 – some of them coming near the basket as a player with the ball would make a quick pass to a teammate for a score.

It was good to see Talana back at the point after she had missed most of last season with an injury. As has been her wont, she wasn’t a prolific scorer, but she did contribute seven points, distribute the ball well and play tough defense.

Another player back after missing most of last season was sophomore forward Harper Peterson, who played just under six minutes, scoring and snaring a rebound.

With Stanford enjoying a substantial lead by the end of third quarter, some of the 1,976 fans began to file out.

Because it was an exhibition, there were no student support groups like the band, cheerleaders, Dollies and Tree. Nor was there any halftime entertainment.

Still, it was a tantalizing look at what might lie ahead in the season, starting with UNC Greensboro on Nov. 3 and Santa Clara on Nov. 6, both at 7 p.m. and both at Maples.

 

 

 

Fans get their first look at the team in action at scrimmage

 

When several hundred fans attended the Stanford women’s basketball team’s annual Cardinal vs. White scrimmage on Oct. 25, what they saw was a rough draft of what might be coming, not the finished product.

Fourteen of the 15 players got onto the court. Junior forward Nunu Agara was there but unavailable.

Joining them were several male practice players along with two SWBB alums, Fran Belibi, ’23, and Marta Sniezek, ’19.  These two, plus the men and two senior guards, Stavi Papadaki and Lauren Green, comprised the red (actually black) squad for the final three quarters.

Everyone else was on the white squad.

Although no official statistics were kept, several impressions emerged.

First, returning players looked good. It was especially gratifying to see senior point guard Talana Lepolo and sophomore forward Harper Peterson in action after they had missed most of last season with injuries.

Second, the five freshmen acquitted themselves well. For example, forward Lara Somfai made at least four 3-point shots, by my count.

Third, overall though, 3-point shooting needs to be more accurate, and the team needs fewer turnovers.

Going into her 26^th season, Betty Ann Hagenau served as the announcer. “This team is locked and loaded this year,” she said.

She introduced the coaches and staff along with the two interns, Amy Arnes and Karlie Samuelson. Karlie had been in a boot at the reception earlier in the week, but this time she was on crutches and didn’t appear to participate.

After the game, each player, starting with the freshmen, introduced herself.

Kate wrapped things up with “This is a team that’s going to get better and better as the season goes on.”

Fans might get a better picture of what’s to come when the team hosts Cal State LA for an exhibition game at 7 p.m. Oct. 29 and opens the season against UNC Greensboro at 7 p.m. Nov. 3, also at home.

 

 

 

High hopes for upcoming season

 

Assistant coach Jeanette Pohlen (in red) with her Stanford coaches, from left: now head coach Kate Paye, retired head coach Tara VanDerveer and retired associate head coach Amy Tucker at Jeanette's induction into the Stanford Athletics Hall of Fame.

Optimism was the prevailing mood as head coach Kate Paye and five players talked about the upcoming Stanford women’s basketball season during a reception Oct. 21 in the Hall of Champions.

“You will love watching our team play,” Kate told several hundred supporters.

Announcer Kevin Danna served as emcee and interviewed three of the 10 returning players and two of the five freshmen.

Junior forwards Courtney Ogden and Mary Ashley Stevenson along with sophomore guard Shay Ijiwoye said that during the off-season they worked on conditioning and shooting. Shay added that she focused on defending without fouling. All three had nothing but praise for their freshman teammates.

Freshmen praise returners

The feeling was mutual as freshman forwards Lara Somfai and Nora Ezike said that returning players helped them adjust to college ball.

Lara, the team’s second Australian player, following Alanna Smith, ’19, said she was born in Hungary and speaks Hungarian. However, she moved to Australia with her family when she was 2 years old and learned English in school. She has played for the Australian national team.

Nora also has international experience, having played for Nigeria, where her parents lived before moving to the U.S. During the summer she played for Nigeria at the FIBA U19 World Cup and recorded 25 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals while going eight-for-eight in field goals.

Kevin noted that Shay is interested in broadcasting and is being mentored by Ros Gold-Onwude, ’10. But the ties go back to Shay’s childhood when Ros’ mother and aunt were her babysitters, Shay said.

Taking the microphone, Kate said that “our freshmen have elevated our returners.”

This is Kate’s second season as head coach and Stanford’s second season in the ACC. Playing in the ACC involves cross-country trips.

Last season the team flew in a chartered plane that needed to refuel once going east and twice going west, leading to long hours in the plane. This year the team will fly in a larger plane that won’t need refueling, Kate said.

This year the team also is enjoying its new locker room after two years of construction. Even though it’s underground on the west side of Maples, it has natural light from skylights.

“It’s gorgeous,” Kate said, adding that includes a lounge, nutrition center and film room.

The men’s basketball team and women’s volleyball team also have locker rooms in the addition.

On the injury front, Kate said that senior guard Talana Lepolo is back in action after missing most of last season with an injury.

Sophomore forward Harper Peterson also was out with an injury last year, but she was at the reception minus the boot she had worn.

Karlie celebrating a tournament victory.

Karlie returns

However, Karlie Samuelson, ’17, who’s back with the team as an intern after playing in the WNBA, was walking in a boot. As she returned to her car in the Maples lot, she was using a knee scooter.

In another bit of trivia, her return reunites her with classmate and teammate Erica “Bird” McCall, now an assistant coach. Bird’s position recently was endowed by longtime supporters Celia Oakley and Craig Barratt.

Another assistant coach, Jeanette Pohlen, ’11, recently was inducted into the Stanford Athletic Hall of Fame. Her photo, along with the other new inductees, is displayed in the Hall of Champions.

Fans will have an early look at the team during an open scrimmage at 10 a.m. Oct. 25 in Maples.

Preliminary action starts with an exhibition game against Cal State LA at 7 p.m. The regular season opener is at 7 p.m. Nov. 3 against UNC Greensboro. Both are home games.

(Photos by Stanford Athletics)

Open practice offers preview of team

 

Sophomore guard Shay Ijiwoye is her usual exuberant self at the practice.

Several hundred fans of Stanford women’s basketball got a sneak peek at the 2025-26 team at an open practice July 24.

“We are having a fantastic summer,” head coach Kate Paye told the crowd. “It’s great to be back.”

She made several pitches for people to renew their season tickets and to bring their friends. In an email the next day she said, “Renewals are doing GREAT. Right where we’ve always been and even above!”

During the session, the players went through various conditioning and shooting drills before a scrimmage that ended the afternoon.

All 15 players were there, but not everyone could participate. Senior guard Talana Lepolo and sophomore forward Harper Peterson were sidelined, as they had been most of last season.

Talana was doing some shooting on her own early in the session before switching to the stationary bike. Harper was still wearing a boot on her left foot. However, Kate said in another email that she expects both to be ready for the start of the new season.

The season’s first home game is scheduled for Nov. 3.

No printed roster was available, but the videoboard flashed photos of each player and her position several times.

It’s too early for any real assessments, but the overall impression is that the team is doing well. Returning players all have improved, and the five freshmen acquitted themselves well.

At the end of the session, each player, starting with the three seniors, introduced herself, her academic year and her hometown.

Senior guard Talana Lepolo signs her autograph for fans.

Afterward, the team adjourned to the north concourse to sign autographs.

The summer quarter continues through Aug. 16. Fall classes start Sept. 22.

The team’s new locker room is expected to be ready by then. For now, the area between the west side of Maples and Campus Drive remains blocked off.

Photos by Stanford Athletics

 

 

 

Optimistic outlook for 2025-26 team

Sarah Boothe, '12 (center, in black in front of Stanford logo), visits the team. (Stanford photo)

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With a stellar recruiting class and a strong contingent of returning players, the Stanford women’s basketball team promises to give fans a lot to cheer for in 2025-26.

“We’re feeling very happy right now,” assistant coach Katy Steding said in a recent phone interview.

Even though it’s a relatively young squad with only three seniors and four juniors, “We’re so optimistic,” Katy said. There’s much to cheer on the roster.

It also appears that for now the 15-member team is at nearly full strength. Senior point guard Talana Lepolo “appears to be in great shape” and has been cleared to play after missing most of last season with an injury.

Sophomore forward Harper Peterson, who also missed last season with an ankle problem, has had surgery that went better than expected. She still recovering, and  her teammates have been supportive, Katy said.

Freshmen are impressive

As for the freshmen, HoopGurlz-rated 4-star forward Nora Ezike from Illinois has been in the Czech Republic playing for Nigeria, which soundly defeated China in the first round of FIBA U19 World Cup competition. The coaches have great hopes for her and all of the freshmen.

Then there’s versatile 4-star wing Carly Amborn from San Anselmo. “You can’t leave her open,” Katy said.

Hailee Swain, a 5-star point guard from Georgia, missed some practices, but now “she’s doing great.”

“Super versatile” is how Katy described 5-star forward Lara Somfai, who’s from Florida.

Alexandra (Alex) Eschmeyer of Colorado, another 5-star forward, is the team’s tallest player at 6’5”. When Katy saw her play during a recruiting trip, she immediately left and called head coach Kate Paye, telling her that Alex needed to come to Stanford. Meanwhile, Alex was worried when she saw Katy leave, fearing that she wasn’t interested

All five freshmen are 3-point shooters and run the floor well. “I’m really impressed with all of them,” Katy said

Internships for some

Several returning players have internships this summer. Among others, senior guard Stavi Papadaki and junior guard Chloe Clardy are in finance. Sophomore Center Kennedy Umeh is helping at a Stanford hospital, and senior guard Lauren Green is learning about shoe design.

All of the players and staff are looking forward to getting into their new, larger locker room, which was under construction last season. It’s hoped it’ll be ready for the new season.

With so much talent available at all positions, the players might have to play tag team. “It’s a really deep, talented squad,” Katy concluded

A look back: Part two of two

 

Happy players and coaches celebrate the Florida State win. (John Lozano/ISI Photos)

After the winter holiday break, the team hit the road for two ACC games. Both resulted in losses: 67-63 at SMU on Jan. 2 and 65-61 in overtime at Clemson on Jan. 5.

Returning home, the team prevailed 89-84 over Florida State on Jan. 9 but lost to North Carolina State 81-67 on Jan. 12.

Spending nearly a week in North Carolina, the team enjoyed its first-ever ACC road win 74-71 over Wake Forest on Jan. 16 followed by a 74-49 loss to Duke on Jan. 19.

The Wake Forest win was highlighted by junior guard Tess Heal’s 24 points, thanks in part to her six 3’s, four of them in the first quarter. Sophomore forward Nunu Agara was right behind her with 23 points.

Cross-bay rival Cal came to Maples on Jan. 23 and left with a 75-72 win.

A week later, still at Maples, Stanford defeated Pittsburgh 58-46 on Jan. 30 and nearly upset the then-No. 15 University of North Carolina 69-67 on Feb. 2.

Although the Pitt game brought the home team’s lowest score so far in the season, it had some bright spots, such as a perfect 15-15 at the free-throw line.

Sophomore guard Chloe Clardy and senior guard Elena Bosgana led the team with 14 points each. Elena’s parents were visiting from Greece and saw her play for the first time in her collegiate career.

Elena also electrified the crowd by scoring a buzzer-beater after a fast break to end the first half, when the score was only 19-14 in Stanford’s favor.

Record falls under .500

Playing on Eastern Time, which is three hours ahead of Pacific Time, the team came away with two losses, dropping its season record to below .500, 11-12.

The team lost 96-47 to Notre Dame on Feb. 6 and 74-65 to Louisiana on Feb. 9.

The loss to Notre Dame set a record for the team, but it wasn’t a record anyone wanted. It was the largest margin of defeat in program history.

The team suffered another loss, too, when leading scorer Nunu fell hard on her backside just five minutes into the game. Aided by trainer Katelin Knox, she walked to the locker room. She returned to the bench later but didn’t play.

She didn’t play in Louisville either, so sophomore forward Mary Ashley Stevenson took her place in the starting lineup. She became one of the four Stanford players in double figures with 15 points. She was just behind Chloe, who had 16.

The penultimate home stand resulted in two wins: 79-58 over Syracuse on Feb. 13 and 80-75 over Boston College on Feb 16, raising the season record to 13-12.

Redshirt junior guard Jzaniya Harriel was in uniform for the Syracuse game after missing several, but she didn’t play. Nunu was out again. Freshman guard Harper Peterson was out, too.

Elena led the team with 18 points plus 11 rebounds and both of the team’s two blocks.

Senior forward Brooke Demetre and Chloe both had 14 points. Chloe also had a team-high 14 assists. Thus Brooke broke out of a scoring slump, making three 3’s in a row during the first quarter.

Freshman guard Shay Ijiwoye had what should have been a game highlight with a buzzer-beater to end the first quarter, but the refs ruled it was too late.

Nunu didn’t start against Boston College, but she came in to applause about midway through the first quarter. However, she played less than a total of seven minutes and added two rebounds and an assist. Jzaniya also saw limited action.

Fans learn about Lifetime Cardinal

After the game, an information session about Lifetime Cardinal filled Kissick Auditorium.

Lifetime Cardinal will provide financial support to Stanford student athletes. It responds to the changing collegiate landscape that allows players to be paid for NIL, name, image and likeness.

Fans can make a tax-deductible donation and direct it to a specific team, such as women’s basketball. Go to www.lifetimecardinal.com.

The season’s final road trip ended with a thrilling overtime win, 75-74 at Virginia Tech on Feb. 20.

According to Stanford Athletics, freshmen and sophomores scored 65 of the team’s 75 points. Sophomore forward Courtney Clardy had 15. Despite four fouls, Shay had a career-high 10 points, including the two free throws that iced the win in OT.

Still recovering, Nunu didn’t make the trip.

The outcome was different when the team visited the University of Virginia – an 89-69 loss on Feb. 23.

Courtney led the team with a career-high 17 points as well as eight rebounds.

Shay and Elena celebrate the win over Georgia Tech. (Nhat V.. Meyer (Bay Area News Group)

Season ends with two home wins, Senior Day

Two home wins highlighted the end of the regular season: 86-69 over Miami on Feb. 27 an 87-82 over Georgia Tech on March 2.

Stanford’s score against Miami was boosted by 14 3’s, courtesy of Chloe, Brooke, Courtney, Elena, Shay and Tess.

It was Senior Day for the Georgia Tech game. Kate gave flowers to the visiting seniors before the game.

And in honor of Elena, who hails from Greece, the Greek national anthem preceded “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

She started the game and led the team with 19 points.

The Senior Day ceremony after the game started by honoring the team managers and male practice players.

Then there were tributes to Elena, Brooke and Jzaniya.

Early exits from ACC, WBIT tournaments

It was on to Greensboro, N.C., and the team’s first ACC tournament. It ended with a 63-46 loss to Clemson on March 5.

One consolation was Nunu’s return. She didn’t get into the game until late in the first half and went on to play just 17 minutes. She contributed eight points, three rebounds and two steals.

Failing to make the NCAA tournament for the first time in 37 years, the team had to settle for the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament. It ended with a heartbreaking 69-68 overtime loss to Portland in the first round at Maples on March 20.

It was a back-and-forth game played in front of a sparse crowd of 1,106. The upper areas were roped off. One reason for the low attendance was that it was the end of finals week, so some students might have left for spring break.

Thus the season ended with a 16-15 record.

Fans say farewell at banquet

Several hundred fans gathered for one last farewell to the team at the annual banquet April 8 at the Arrillaga Alumni Center.

Early in the program head coach Kate Paye announced that Katelin is leaving Stanford to become head trainer for the Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest team.

Kate opened the program by saying that 2024-25 “was a season of change and challenge,” but the theme of sisterhood prevailed.

She thanked everyone behind the team and introduced by players by class, starting with the freshmen and ending with the seniors.

After a video of season highlights, she looked ahead, noting that the five outstanding recruits will be mentored by the returning players.

“We are hungry to get back to our championship ways…The best is yet to come,” she concluded.

 

A look back: Part one of two

 

The 2024-25 team. (Stanford Athletics)

Fans of Stanford women’s basketball are a spoiled lot.

Just four years ago the team won a national championship. This season, though, was an entirely different story.

A series of changes led to just a 16-15 record, no NCAA tournament for the first time since 1967 and a heart-wrenching loss in the first round of the WBIT tournament.

As for the changes – First, legendary head coach Tara VanDerveer retired, handing the reins over to her longtime assistant, Kate Paye.

Next, the Pac-12 Conference imploded, so Stanford moved to the Atlantic Coast Conference, necessitating tens of thousands of miles in travel and frequent three-hour time differences.

Then there was the loss of last year’s most prolific scorers. Hannah Jump and Cameron Brink graduated, and Kiki Iriafen transferred to USC. On top of that, junior point guard Talana Lepolo missed almost all of the season because of injury.

On the other hand, three promising freshmen arrived along with two transfers.

The team also had two new staff members: Victoria Saucedo, sports performance coach; and Heather Oesterle, assistant coach.

Players faced their first competition by playing against and defeating three Italian teams during a 10-day trip to Italy starting Aug. 18.

Fans got their first look at the team during the annual Cardinal-White scrimmage Oct. 26, Stanford’s homecoming.

They got an even better look when the team played its first five games at home.

Home wins kick off competition

First, there was the 91-70 exhibition win over Cal State LA on Oct. 30.

Starters were senior guard Elena Bosgana, senior forward Brooke Demetre, red shirt junior guard Jzaniya Harriel, junior guard Tess Heal (one of the transfers) and sophomore forward Nunu Agara.

Some of the first players off the bench were sophomores: forwards Courtney Ogden and Mary Ashley Stevenson (the other transfer), and guard Chloe Clardy.

Nunu led the team with 25 points and 13 rebounds.

The night before the exhibition, Buck Cardinal Club members gathered at the Hall of Champions for a chance to meet the team and hear from Kate.

Kate recorded her first regular season win as head coach when the team defeated LeMoyne College 107-43 on Nov. 4.

In another first, the team set a program record of 18 3’s, led by Jzaniya with six. She also led the team with 24 points.

The starters were Elena, Brooke, Jzaniya, Nunu and Talana.

Washington State was the next to fall, 94-65 on Nov. 7, followed by Gonzaga, 89-58 on Nov. 10. That win vaulted previously unranked Stanford to No. 24 in AP’s Nov. 11 weekly poll.

Tata with alums and coaches at the unveiling of Tara VanDerveer Court. (SF Chronicle)

The crowd of 3,865 at the Gonzaga game saw not only a victory but also the unveiling of Tara VanDerveer Court in honor of the then-winningest basketball coach of all.

A reception in the Hall of Champions followed the game. During her remarks, Tara praised Kate. She also noted that she’s working part-time in the office of athletic director Bernard Muir.

This initial home stand ended with another win: 69-56 over UC Davis on Nov. 13.

First road trip results in first loss

The first road trip brought the season’s first loss: 79-66 against Indiana on Nov. 17

Back at home, though, the team logged three more wins: 91-49 over Morgan State on Nov. 22, 81-45 over Cal Poly on Nov. 25 and 84-54 over UC San Diego on Nov. 29. Talana missed the Cal Poly game and all the rest to come.

UC San Diego is coached by Tara’s younger sister, Heidi. Since the game came the day after Thanksgiving, the two teams celebrated Thanksgiving with dinner together in the Hall of Champions.

Traveling to Louisiana State on Dec. 5 and playing in front of more than 10,000 people, the team went toe-to-toe against the then-undefeated and ranked No. 5 hosts. It held a lead until the fourth quarter’s final second when LSU scored two points to tie at 80-80.

Going into overtime, Stanford lost 94-88. Nunu led the charge with 29 points and 13 rebounds. According to Sports Reference, she was the first D1 player with these stats in a true road game against a top 5 AP opponent since Nov. 21, 2021.

Back in the Bay Area, the Cardinal went to Cal and lost 83-63 on Dec. 13, just after the end of finals. Brooke led the team with 18 points.

On Dec. 16, though, the team returned to Maples and beat UT San Antonio 62-57.

Stanford was clinging to a 60-57 lead with only a few seconds left. UTSA inbounded the ball, but Jzaniya stole the ball, ran down the court and scored the game-clinching buzzer-beater. She finished with 12 points, behind Elena’s 13.

Undefeated and then-No. 11 Ohio State was too hot to handle, handing Stanford a 84-59 loss on Dec.  20 during the Invisilign Bay Area Women’s Classic at Chase Center in San Francisco.

Next: 2025

 

One final salute to team at banqet

Several hundred Stanford women’s basketball fans said their final farewell to the 2024-25 team at the annual banquet April 8 at the Arrillaga Alumni Center.

First-year head coach Kate Paye presided over the evening’s program, which included thanks to the many people behind the team. It also included introduction of the players.

The biggest news from the gathering is that longtime trainer Katelin Knox is leaving Stanford to become head athletic trainer for the WNBA’s newest team, the Golden State Valkyries.

Kate opened the program by saying “it was a season of change and challenge,” but the theme of sisterhood prevailed.

She mentioned some season highlights such as the trip to Italy during the summer and the record 18 3’s against LeMoyne in the first regular season game – a home game that Stanford won 107-43.

On the other hand, moving from the now-defunct Pac-12 Conference to the ACC meant that “the travel was not easy.” She also noted that the relatively young team’s inexperience showed at times. Still, the team stuck together.

She then asked the three freshmen to come to the podium. She said they made the transition into college-level ball and “will be big pieces to our future.”

She said guard Shay Ijiwoye “is a high-energy player” with good defense and speed as well as a 4.0+ GPA.

Forward Harper Peterson, one foot still in a boot, was limited by injury, but she’s a skilled stretch 4. “We need what you do,” Kate said.

Center Kennedy Umeh, aka Special K, is the only true center whose confidence grew through the season. She wants to become a doctor and will be “a big key to our team’s future success,” Kate said.

The four sophomores showed great improvement. For example, forward Nunu Agara led the team in several areas, and “she’s just scratching the surface,” the coach said.

Guard Chloe Clardy, who often played point guard, “never backed down from a challenge,” Kate said.

Forward Courtney Ogden can play the 1-4 spots and, like her classmates, improved through the season.

Forward Mary Ashley Stevenson, who transferred from Purdue, was an “instant contributor” who shot 49% for the season and has a 4.0+ GPA.

Guard Tess Heal wasn’t there with the other juniors, apparently because she has entered the transfer portal.

As for her classmates, guard Lauren Green ran the scout team as a point guard and never missed a practice.

Guard Stavi Papadaki was a beloved and respected scout team member and, like Lauren, never missed a practice. She’s going for both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and is on the Greek national team in her home country.

Guard Talana Lepolo, who was sidelined by an injury after five games, helped to guide the younger guards.

Before introducing the seniors, Kate brought her fellow coaches to the front and called them the best in the country.

Assistant coach Jeanette Pohlen, ’11, was an All-American who works with the guards. Assistant coach Erica “Bird” McCall, ’17, is a “post-whisperer.”

Assistant coach Heather Oesterle was a Stanford coaching intern in 2002 and has returned as offensive coordinator. Assistant coach Katy Steding, ’90, is “a legend as a coach and player” and has many responsibilities.

Associate head coach Tempie Brown, back for her second coaching stint on the Farm, oversees recruiting and admissions and serves as defensive coordinator.

The coaches stayed upfront as the seniors joined them.

Guard Jzaniya Harriel is a strong two-way player, but health problems limited her playing time, Kate said. As a red shirt with another year of eligibility, the political science major plans to be a graduate senior transfer. “Choosing Stanford was a dream come true,” she said.

Guard Elena Bosgana, the team’s first European player, had “some spectacular performances her senior season,” Kate said. She, too, will play for the Greek national team.

“I love my teammates,” said Elena, who’s graduating with a degree in science, technology and society.

Forward Brooke Demetre, who had celebrated her birthday two days earlier, was serenaded with “Happy Birthday” before Kate called her “big shot Brooke.”

The product design major will probably play oversees. The senior captain said, “I have loved playing for Stanford.”

Following a video with season highlights, Kate looked ahead, noting that the five outstanding recruits will be mentored by the returning players.

“We are hungry to get back to our championship ways,” Kate said. “The best is yet to come.”