Stanford Women’s Basketball: A New Era Begins!
Alright, sports fans! Buckle up because Stanford women’s basketball is set to embark on a brand new adventure that will kick off on Monday, November 4th! And what a way to start the season, hosting Le Moyne at a glorious 7 p.m. Who needs prime-time TV when you can watch basketball? Tim Swartz and Joaquin Wallace are taking the helm on ACCNX, while Kevin Danna, the voice of reason, will hold it down on the radio. If only my family would choose the right channel when it’s basketball season!
The Rundown: Cardinal Expectations
Now, let’s talk numbers because, after all, it’s all about the stats, isn’t it? Stanford boasts an impressive 38-12 record in season openers, not to mention a six-game winning streak. In fact, they’re sitting on a 25 consecutive home opener victories—quite the impressive feat! Mind you, next Monday isn’t just any game; it’s a debut for Kate Paye as the new Setsuko Ishiyama Director of Women’s Basketball. Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Wait, wasn’t she just a coach?” Yes, she was, and she’s about to take the reins of her alma mater. Talk about coming home!
But before we pop the champagne, let’s address the elephant in the room: Stanford needs to replace nearly 60 percent of its scoring. That’s like showing up to a potluck with a salad when everyone else has brought cake! The leading returning scorer is Elena Bosgana, who netted a staggering 6.7 points last season. Wow. Just wow! I mean, that’s like taking your grandmother’s secret recipe for cookies and turning it into light snacks for a full buffet.
Season Openers: A Tradition of Success
Speaking of traditions, Stanford hasn’t lost a home opener since 1998. Let that sink in! They’re like that one friend who shows up early to the party and ends up cleaning while everyone else is still in their pajamas. In last year’s season opener, Nunu Agara scored 18 points, setting a fresh mark for freshmen since the legendary Candice Wiggins. If that doesn’t scream “time to bring out the confetti” I don’t know what does!
Le Moyne: A First Encounter
And now, let’s meet the opponent: Le Moyne. This is Stanford’s first wrestle with them, which is exciting because who doesn’t love a little mystery in their lives? After all, the last time they faced an unclaimed Northeast Conference opponent, they managed to walk away with a 79-35 victory. But Le Moyne isn’t just any team; they’re coming off a strong season with a WNIT berth. They’re no pushovers, folks! Get your popcorn ready.
A Legendary Transition
Fast forward to the bigger picture—Tara VanDerveer announced her retirement with her legendary 1,216 victories. That’s more wins than I’ve had dinner dates! This coaching titan has left the game with more records than a vinyl store. Stanford is naming their court after her—Tara VanDerveer Court! On November 10, this renaming celebration coincides with their game against Gonzaga, and I expect plenty of tears, laughter, and possibly a few microwaveable dinners put on hold until after the game!
Conclusion: Ready or Not
It’s a new chapter for Stanford women’s basketball, and like a good plot twist, we have more questions than answers right now. Can Kate Paye live up to her own legacy? Can the returning players step up like never before? The anticipation is thick enough to cut with a knife, and I am here for it!
So, grab your jerseys, gear up with snacks, and prepare for a season filled with enthusiasm, challenge, and perhaps a few unexpected surprises that remind us all why we love this game. Here’s to Stanford, and let’s make this season one for the history books!
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THE GAME: The exciting first season of a new era for Stanford women’s basketball kicks off on Monday, Nov. 4, when the powerful Cardinal squad takes on Le Moyne at 7 p.m. Fans can tune in to Tim Swartz and Joaquin Wallace’s live commentary on ACCNX, while Kevin Danna will provide the radio broadcast through GoStanford.com, the Stanford Athletics app, and Learfield’s Varsity Network.
THE RUNDOWN: Stanford boasts an impressive 38-12 record all-time in season openers and is currently riding a six-game winning streak in these events. The Cardinal has proudly achieved 25 consecutive victories in home openers. This matchup marks the debut of Kate Paye as the Setsuko Ishiyama Director of Women’s Basketball. Paye, a two-time WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year, returns to lead her alma mater after 17 fruitful seasons on Tara VanDerveer’s staff, having been appointed on April 16. This season, heading into 2024-25, Stanford faces significant challenges as they need to compensate for a staggering 59.8 percent of their scoring, 54.4 percent of rebounding, and 42.8 percent of minutes played from the previous season. The team’s leading returning scorer is Elena Bosgana (6.7 points per game) and leading rebounder is Brooke Demetre (3.6 rebounds). In a recent exhibition victory over Cal State LA, Nunu Agara showcased her skills, delivering a stellar performance with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists to lead Stanford to a decisive 91-70 win. Notably, during last year’s season opener against Hawaii, Agara made headlines by scoring 18 points—the most scored by a Stanford freshman in a season opener since Candice Wiggins netted 24 back on November 19, 2004. Stanford, picked to finish seventh in the ACC preseason poll, is also noteworthy for being outside the AP Top 25 preseason rankings for the first time in over two decades, since the 1999-2000 season. On Sunday, Nov. 10, Stanford will hold a public celebration and the official unveiling of Tara VanDerveer Court during their game against Gonzaga.
VS. LE MOYNE: The upcoming opener marks Stanford’s first-ever meeting against Le Moyne. Last season, Stanford successfully defeated two first-time opponents: UAlbany, with a dominating score of 79-35 on Nov. 26, and Norfolk State, in a solid 79-50 victory on March 22. In the past 20 years, Stanford has only faced teams from the Northeast Conference on two occasions, achieving a win against Sacred Heart in the NCAA Tournament with a significant score of 92-49 on March 17, 2023, as well as against LIU Brooklyn on Nov. 19, 2005, with a commanding 69-28 result. Le Moyne is currently in the process of reclassification to Division I and had an impressive 14-2 record in the NEC last year, earning a WNIT berth as the league’s automatic qualifier.
SNAPSHOT »
- The Cardinal returns two starters and nine letterwinners from a successful 30-6 overall record last season, culminating in claiming their 27th conference championship with a 15-3 mark in the Pac-12.
- Stanford made its 36th consecutive appearance in the NCAA postseason, advancing to its 29th Sweet 16.
- The team wrapped up last season ranked No. 9 in the final AP Top 25.
- Stanford has clinched at least 20 wins for 23 consecutive seasons and has recorded double-digit conference wins for 37 straight years, a remarkable achievement.
- The Cardinal is tasked with replacing significant contributions from its top three scorers: Cameron Brink (17.4), Kiki Iriafen (19.4), and Hannah Jump (10.6). Brink was drafted No. 2 by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Iriafen graduated after three years and transferred to USC, while Jump is training with Great Britain Basketball for EuroBasket qualifiers.
SEASON OPENERS »
- Stanford has an outstanding 38-12 historical record in season openers and is riding a six-game win streak in these games. Their previous loss in a season opener was against No. 5 Ohio State on Nov. 10, 2017, ending in an 85-64 score.
- The Cardinal has maintained a remarkable streak of winning 25 consecutive home openers and hasn’t lost their first game of a season at Maples Pavilion since a loss to No. 24 Illinois, 76-58, on Nov. 19, 1998.
- Agara excelled last season in their opener against Hawaii, scoring 18 points, which marked the highest total for a Stanford freshman in such a game since Candice Wiggins’ impressive 24 points in 2004.
- Aggressive on the boards, Stanford achieved a school-record +42 rebound margin (60-18) against Hawaii, surpassing the previous record of +39 from a game in 2011.
NEW CHAPTER »
- Kate Paye, a two-time WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year during her lengthy 17-year tenure on Tara VanDerveer’s coaching staff, is set to lead Stanford into its inaugural ACC campaign following her hiring on April 16.
- Notably, Paye has been a key figure in two of Stanford’s three national championship victories—as a player in 1992 and as an associate head coach in 2021.
- Since her return to Stanford in 2007-08, the Cardinal has achieved an impressive record of 527-87, winning the national title in 2021 and making several deep playoff runs.
- Paye, a four-year member of the basketball team, contributed to the national championship win in 1992 and led the team to the NCAA Final Four in 1995.
- Born at Stanford Hospital, Paye earned her political science degree from Stanford in 1995 and subsequently graduated with honors, holding both a Juris Doctorate and an MBA from Stanford in 2003.
A LEGEND RETIRES »
- On April 9, 2024, Tara VanDerveer announced her retirement, leaving a monumental legacy as the all-time winningest coach in NCAA basketball history.
- Throughout her remarkable 45-year coaching career spanning Idaho, Ohio State, and Stanford, VanDerveer compiled an unprecedented 1,216 victories. At Stanford alone, she captured three NCAA championships and led her teams to 14 Final Fours, consistently achieving over 20 wins each season for nearly four decades.
TARA VANDERVEER COURT
- In recognition of her transformative impact on Stanford and college athletics, Stanford Athletics announced in early May that the court at Maples Pavilion would be named in honor of Tara VanDerveer, acknowledging the 531 games won under her leadership.
- A public celebration will take place during the official unveiling of Tara VanDerveer Court at Stanford’s home game against Gonzaga on Sunday, Nov. 10, with tipoff scheduled for noon PT and broadcasted live on ESPN2.
N 2021. With her deep connection to the program, she is expected to bring her experience and passion to this new role as the Setsuko Ishiyama Director of Women’s Basketball.
