They nailed the dance soon after nailing down a large 59-50 get towards a bruising Texas crew. And now Stanford is sliding again into the Remaining 4 for the 15th time.
“It never will get previous,” said VanDerveer, whose crew is heading to Minneapolis and will facial area the winner of Monday’s recreation concerning UConn and North Carolina Point out.
The famous mentor has some new tricks in her, like preserving her staff unfastened with a Saturday dance observe. And some previous methods, like switching to a zone protection late in the activity.
“You’re always pleased to go to the Remaining 4,” VanDerveer explained. “But sometimes you are actually joyful. And I’m genuinely satisfied. This is a terrific group to be with.”
This workforce may well be VanDerveer’s most proficient, and her most enjoyable team. But it expected a gritty fight to have the likelihood to defend the national championship.
Texas, a single of just a few teams to defeat Stanford this year, looked like it could do the unthinkable: upset the talented Cardinal however yet again.
“We’ve absent toe to toe with them twice,” Texas mentor Vic Schaefer reported.
Texas came out with extra combat than Will Smith at the Academy Awards. The Cardinal struggled in opposition to the ferocious Texas press all game. The Longhorns had pressured 20 turnovers from Stanford in November and on Sunday, once again forced the Cardinal into 20 turnovers.
“It was bodily taxing on each individual single player,” Jones mentioned. “Mentally, you have to remain sharp in your determination creating.”
And again, just as 4 months back, the Longhorns confined the Cardinal from the 3-point line: Stanford was 3-of-17.
But Stanford settled down and altered. Soon after committing six turnovers in the first quarter, the Cardinal only committed 3 in the 2nd.
But the major adjustment came afterwards. With her staff in foul hassle, VanDerveer went to a zone late in the 3rd quarter and frustrated the Longhorns, who shot just 23% in the fourth quarter.
“I was not amazed due to the fact they had been owning trouble guarding us 1 on 1,” Texas guard Joanne Allen-Taylor reported. “So, credit score them for generating an adjustment.”
However, it was anyone’s recreation down the extend. Clinging to a two-point guide with the 2:29 to engage in, Lexie Hull designed a driving layup and was fouled. The a few-point participate in gave Stanford the breathing home it wanted.
“It’s a issue of trying not to come to feel any added stress, regardless of the score,” Lexie Hull said. She was carrying the internet all-around her neck as she spoke, anything she and twin Lacie have been promised by VanDerveer if the twins received in their hometown and got their crew to the Twin Towns.
“Looking out, in pretty substantially each and every portion of the gymnasium, I understood somebody,” explained Hull who produced the all-regional staff, together with Brink and Jones, as well as Rori Harmon and Allen-Taylor from Texas. “It was super special.”
The Cardinal are however dancing. Which is why VanDerveer was ready to lower unfastened and learn some new actions.
“I mentioned, ‘We are not looking forward, but we have to program ahead,’” VanDerveer stated. “So that if we’re in a problem we can do this.”
Jones. Jordan Hamilton and freshman Kiki Iriafen had held a private session with VanDerveer.
“We never ever get to mentor her,” Jones reported. “She was quite receptive. Terrific with constructive criticism.”
On Saturday, VanDerveer required to loosen up her workforce so she instructed them that just after movie session they would have a handle. All the chairs were being moved out and Mentor Jones led the dance practice.
“I think it just loosened individuals up and confirmed them that I experienced assurance in them,” VanDerveer mentioned. “And you know, they know I simply cannot dance, so they have been viewing me and laughing.”
Anyone on the edge of their seat through the tense recreation could have peaceful if they’d recognized about the key dance lesson. No probability the gamers weren’t likely to do anything in their ability to demonstrate off their — and their coach’s — moves.
VanDerveer’s evaluation of Jones as a instructor? A-plus.
“Haley was good,” VanDerveer mentioned. “She took charge of the space. She was wonderful. That is likely why I could master it.
“When you have a wonderful teacher, pupils do improved.”
Indeed, in fact. The mentor who just wrapped up her 21st Elite Eight and is heading to her 14th Closing 4, understands a little anything about currently being a terrific instructor.
And about finding out some new moves.
Ann Killion is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist.
