Lauren Wegner – The Stanford Daily https://stanforddaily.com Breaking news from the Farm since 1892 Thu, 10 Nov 2016 10:27:36 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://stanforddaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/cropped-DailyIcon-CardinalRed.png?w=32 Lauren Wegner – The Stanford Daily https://stanforddaily.com 32 32 204779320 Women’s basketball looks to outdo last season’s success https://stanforddaily.com/2016/11/10/womens-basketball-looks-to-outdo-last-seasons-success/ https://stanforddaily.com/2016/11/10/womens-basketball-looks-to-outdo-last-seasons-success/#respond Thu, 10 Nov 2016 10:27:36 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1119615 As Tara VanDerveer enters her 31st year as head coach of the historically successful Stanford women’s basketball team, she is looking to the entire squad to contribute to the success of the 2016-17 season. Last season, the Cardinal showed up to compete, fighting their way to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, where they bested the […]

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As Tara VanDerveer enters her 31st year as head coach of the historically successful Stanford women’s basketball team, she is looking to the entire squad to contribute to the success of the 2016-17 season.

Last season, the Cardinal showed up to compete, fighting their way to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, where they bested the now-No. 1 ranked Notre Dame — a matchup that Stanford did not win the year before. Finishing in the Elite Eight with an overall record of 27-8, the 2015-16 season was even more successful than the previous year, and the Cardinal are only looking to continue this upward trend.

While last year there was a tone of uncertainty surrounding lack of experience as the young Stanford squad entered the season, this year is filled with more excitement and optimism. Even with the loss of three-year starting guard Lili Thompson (14.7 points per game), there is a confidence in the depth of this year’s squad.

“We have really great freshmen coming in, so we’re excited to see how they do this season. I think that the depth that we have really will make up for the loss we had,” senior forward Erica McCall (14.9 PPG) said.

McCall’s sentiments were echoed by fellow senior leader, Karlie Samuelson (9.8 PPG), who noted that “the freshmen are really coming along well.”

Currently working to come back from a hairline fracture in her hand, Samuelson serves as a sixth starter of sorts for the squad. Heading into the season opener, however, VanDerveer has narrowed her starting lineup to five: sophomore guard Marta Sniezek (2.9 PPG last year), senior guard Briana Roberson (5.8 PPG last year), junior guard Brittany McPhee (6.5 PPG last year), junior forward Kaylee Johnson (2.9 PPG last year) and McCall.

Contributions will come from deep into the bench, beyond just these starters. Specifically, VanDerveer pointed out the development of sophomore forward Alana Smith.

“She is being much more aggressive and confident,” VanDerveer said. “We are expecting great contributions from her.”

Although the transition from high school to college basketball certainly provides a challenge for freshmen, VanDerveer does not shy away her belief that freshmen will be able to make a difference. She noted the real presence brought to the team by these fresh faces, especially on defense with the addition of guard Dijonai Carrington.

VanDerveer has a lot of enthusiasm for this mix of veteran experience and new perspective brought to the squad. And while now-seniors McCall and Samuelson had considerable success last season, the focus is on the development of the entire team and the incorporation of leadership from many classes.

“We are really excited about everyone contributing,” VanDerveer said. “I don’t see this team being any one person’s team.”

Stanford women’s basketball will be diving headfirst into a challenging preseason, facing NCAA Tournament-level teams such as Texas, Tennessee and Gonzaga. The Cardinal will bring a high level of play and a tradition of excellence to the court.

“We’re really trying to play with pace,” Samuelson said. “We want to get out and transition and really move it.”

And while this team is no stranger to speed and high-tempo play, the focus this year will also be on defense.

“We want to be an excellent defensive team, and we want to be a great rebounding team. Not good — great,” VanDerveer said.

While VanDerveer pays little attention to the current polls, Stanford is ranked in the top 10 among a handful of Pac-12 schools. For now, these nonconference games will help prepare the Cardinal for a tough Pac-12 slate, in which, VanDerveer noted, “any night, any team is capable of winning.”

Led by veterans and complemented with depth and versaility, the 2016-17 Stanford women’s basketball team has really focused on each other.

“Our togetherness really helps us become super successful … that chemistry really shows when we have games, whether it’s a small game or a big game,” McCall said.

“We have an excellent energy in the gym. People have been working hard. We have to make statements with our play, not in the paper,” VanDerveer said. “We are making great strides. I’m really excited.”

The Cardinal’s season kicks off this Friday at 7:00 p.m. in Maples Pavilion against Cal Poly.

 

Contact Lauren Wegner at lwegner ‘at’ stanford.edu.

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Men’s water polo looks to break Bruin winning spell https://stanforddaily.com/2016/10/28/mens-water-polo-looks-to-break-bruin-winning-spell/ https://stanforddaily.com/2016/10/28/mens-water-polo-looks-to-break-bruin-winning-spell/#respond Fri, 28 Oct 2016 09:48:01 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1118745 No. 6 Stanford men's water polo (12-3, 4-2 MPSF) heads into a tough matchup against the No. 1 UCLA Bruins (21-0, 1-0) on Saturday in Los Angeles.

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No. 6 Stanford men’s water polo (12-3, 4-2 MPSF) heads into a tough matchup against the No. 1 UCLA Bruins (21-0, 1-0) on Saturday in Los Angeles.

UCLA hasn’t lost a game since 2014 and carries the momentum of two consecutive NCAA championships.

While the Bruins are entrenched in a cross-seasonal winning streak, the Cardinal seek to start their own winning streak with an underdog upset.

UCLA should not discount the Stanford squad as a legitimate threat. In 2014, Stanford was victorious, and last season — while the Bruins were successful in both matchups — the scores were close at 7-8 and 8-12.

The Cardinal may not have a consecutive trail of wins to provide momentum for this weekend’s match, but they will be as fired up ever. A win against UCLA would not only boost their ranking but also fuel them for the remaining regular season match-ups against No. 2 Cal and No. 4 Pacific.

The game will be televised on Pac-12 Networks this Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

 

Contact Lauren Wegner at lwegner ‘at’ stanford.edu

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Locher’s clutch home run seals the deal in baseball’s win over Cal https://stanforddaily.com/2016/04/07/lochers-clutch-home-run-seals-the-deal-in-baseballs-win-over-cal/ https://stanforddaily.com/2016/04/07/lochers-clutch-home-run-seals-the-deal-in-baseballs-win-over-cal/#respond Thu, 07 Apr 2016 09:54:18 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1113224 Stanford baseball (15-8, 4-2 Pac-12) continued to keep the bats hot and the fans on the edge of their seats as it came from behind in the top of the ninth on the way to an exciting 8-6 victory over the California Golden Bears (18-7, 7-2) on Tuesday evening. Although senior Johnny Locher’s ninth-inning, 2-out home run shot over […]

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Stanford baseball (15-8, 4-2 Pac-12) continued to keep the bats hot and the fans on the edge of their seats as it came from behind in the top of the ninth on the way to an exciting 8-6 victory over the California Golden Bears (18-7, 7-2) on Tuesday evening. Although senior Johnny Locher’s ninth-inning, 2-out home run shot over the left field fence goes down in the books as the game-winner, it was an impressive team effort by the Cardinal that got the job done.

Going into Tuesday’s midweek game, Cal was rolling on a 7-game win-streak after having swept both Oregon and UCLA in the past two weekends. The Cardinal knew they would have their work cut out for them at Cal’s Evans Diamond, but after turning on the bats and making an impressive series comeback against the Trojans this weekend, the team came ready to compete.

Stanford senior John Hochstatter and Cal freshman Tanner Dodson started on the mound but each team would deploy a total of four pitchers in the offensive battle. It was a rough start for the Cardinal as the Bears nabbed two runs in the bottom of the first after a leadoff double by senior Devin Pearson, a single by junior Aaron Knapp and a Cardinal error. However, the team was persistent, chipping away at Cal’s lead to tie the game in the top of the third with a clutch RBI from sophomore Quinn Brodey.

An offensive battle raged for the rest of the game as the score went back and forth until the top of the ninth with Stanford down 5-6.

With sophomore Erik Martinez on the mound for Cal and the meat of the Stanford lineup up to bat, sophomore Matt Winaker doubled his way onto second base. He made it home on a timely 0-2 double up the middle by freshman Brandon Wulff, tying the game at 6 and making way for Locher’s 2-run no-doubter that took the cake as the Stanford’s hot offense stunned the Bears. Three of Locher’s last 6 hits have been home runs.

In an interview with the Pac-12 Network, Locher recalled that he went up to bat telling himself to, “stay short, up the middle, stay smooth and relaxed.”

The defense took this momentum into the last half of the frame behind its closer, sophomore Colton Hock. In a clean bottom of the ninth, Hock and the Cardinal defense shut down the 3, 4 and 5 hitters of the Cal lineup, clinching a solid win.

After an impressive showing against Cal, in which 9 players for Stanford contributed to a total of 15 hits on the night, the Cardinal should ride a wave of momentum into Southern California to go head-to-head with a struggling UCLA. Although the Bruins will be fighting to break out of their 6 game losing streak, Stanford’s offense hopes to stay hot.

The games against UCLA will air this Thursday and Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 4:30 p.m. on Pac-12 Networks.

 

Contact Lauren Wegner at lwegner ‘at’ stanford.edu.

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Water polo breezes past Pepperdine to earn fifth straight victory https://stanforddaily.com/2015/11/09/water-polo-breezes-past-pepperdine-to-earn-fifth-straight-victory/ https://stanforddaily.com/2015/11/09/water-polo-breezes-past-pepperdine-to-earn-fifth-straight-victory/#respond Mon, 09 Nov 2015 11:30:59 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1106587 The No. 5 Stanford men’s water polo team (19-6, 5-3 MPSF) swept away the No. 9 Pepperdine Waves (11-12, 1-6) 21-11 Friday evening at the Avery Aquatic Center, putting on a strong offensive showing that bodes well for the Cardinal as the postseason inches closer. The Cardinal went into this weekend riding a wave of […]

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The No. 5 Stanford men’s water polo team (19-6, 5-3 MPSF) swept away the No. 9 Pepperdine Waves (11-12, 1-6) 21-11 Friday evening at the Avery Aquatic Center, putting on a strong offensive showing that bodes well for the Cardinal as the postseason inches closer.

The Cardinal went into this weekend riding a wave of confidence following four straight wins, two of which featured record-breaking performances. Against Long Beach State last weekend, senior Bret Bonanni broke the Stanford and MPSF record for most career goals by scoring his 333rd. The next day, junior goalkeeper Drew Holland posted an MPSF-record 23 saves in a shutout win against Pacific.

The momentum continued through the match against Pepperdine, as 10 different players recorded goals. It was the seventh time this season that Stanford has scored over 20 goals.

Bonanni proved to be too much for the Pepperdine defense, adding another 6 goals to his career total. Meanwhile, sophomore Cody Smith and senior BJ Churnside both recorded hat tricks, while freshman Blake Parrish and junior Reid Chase each added two goals to the Cardinal scoreboard.

Pepperdine came out fighting, making several strong attempts in its first few possessions and scoring the first goal of the game after 1:40 of play. However, Parrish responded within a short 30 seconds to even the score. At the end of the first quarter of play, Stanford led Pepperdine 5-2.

The second quarter was an offensive lull for both teams, as Stanford scored two goals and Pepperdine scored just one. The Cardinal defense forced Pepperdine to take its shots from distance, while several attempts by Stanford were near misses, including a nice backhand attempt by junior Connor Stapleton at the conclusion of the first half.

It was in the third quarter that the Cardinal really showed up to play. Churnside opened the quarter with a pair of scores, followed by eight goals by six different players in the next five minutes. The Cardinal ended the quarter with 10 goals, while limiting Pepperdine to only three, making the score 17-6.

In the final quarter of play, with the game already far out of reach, Pepperdine was able to register five goals to Stanford’s four, resulting in a final score of 21-11. The stars of the second half were Pepperdine’s freshman Marko Asic, with two goals in both the third and fourth quarters, and Stanford’s Bonanni, who notched five of his six goals after the intermission.

It was Stanford’s 12th consecutive victory against Pepperdine, a record dating back to 2009, and its fifth consecutive win.

Next up Stanford will prepare for its last matches of the regular season against No. 17 Santa Clara and No. 2 Cal. The team will have to play some of its best ball to close out the regular season with a pair of wins and then make it deep into the MPSF tournament.

“Working on some things defensively, that’s been our biggest focus — and making sure that each guy is just working on the details of becoming a little bit better of a player defensively,” said head coach John Vargas about how the team needs to improve. 

Stanford will face Santa Clara at home on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.

 

Contact Lauren Wegner at lwegner ‘at’ stanford.edu.

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Men’s water polo to start final homestand of season against Pepperdine https://stanforddaily.com/2015/11/05/mens-water-polo-to-start-final-homestand-of-season-against-pepperdine/ https://stanforddaily.com/2015/11/05/mens-water-polo-to-start-final-homestand-of-season-against-pepperdine/#respond Thu, 05 Nov 2015 08:20:26 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1106338 The No. 5 Stanford men’s water polo team (18-6, 4-3 MPSF) looks to continue its winning streak this Friday night when it faces a struggling Pepperdine squad (11-10, 1-4). The Cardinal have bounced back from their tough four-game losing streak several weeks ago and have answered with four consecutive wins, helping them in their quest to […]

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The No. 5 Stanford men’s water polo team (18-6, 4-3 MPSF) looks to continue its winning streak this Friday night when it faces a struggling Pepperdine squad (11-10, 1-4).

Drew Holland (1)
Junior goalkeeper Drew Holland (above) has been a tremendous defensive asset for Stanford as of late, recording a personal record of 23 saves in Stanford’s shutout of UC Irvine. (NATHAN STAFFA/The Stanford Daily)

The Cardinal have bounced back from their tough four-game losing streak several weeks ago and have answered with four consecutive wins, helping them in their quest to earn a bid in the NCAA tournament.

In particular, two big wins last weekend against No. 8 Long Beach State and No. 7 UC Irvine have given Stanford a wave of momentum that it can ride into this Friday evening’s match.

Performances by senior Bret Bonanni and junior goalkeeper Drew Holland in last weekend’s matches were especially notable. Bonanni’s six-goal performance against Long Beach State secured him the new record for number of goals at Stanford and in the MPSF, beating out former Stanford All-American and Pac-12 Conference Player of the Century Tony Azevedo ’04 for the throne. Bonanni added 2 more goals against Irvine to bring his career total as of now to 339.

Meanwhile, Holland’s determination refused to let a single shot slip into the net against UC Irvine, moving his personal record in number of saves in one game from 13 to 23.

Needless to say, Pepperdine, currently ranked seventh in the MPSF, could be facing an uphill battle as it jumps into Stanford’s pool on Friday.

Given that the Stanford Cardinal and Pepperdine Waves have not gone head-to-head this season, their most recent matchup was on Oct. 16 of last year. In that game, Stanford went on the road and achieved a comfortable win, finishing with 13 goals against Pepperdine’s 4.

This year, the Waves are struggling to keep their heads above the .500 mark while the Cardinal boast a more comfortable winning record, hovering around .750, and though the two have accumulated their losses against several of the same teams (UCLA, USC, and Pacific), Stanford has dominated in many matchups in which Pepperdine has not come through with the win (particularly against UC Irvine and Long Beach St.).

Pepperdine’s main offensive threats come in senior attacker Wesley Sherburne and freshman utility player Marko Asic, who lead the team with 33 goals apiece. Containing this pair will be essential for Stanford if it wishes to control the game.

Although the Stanford men’s water polo team is coming in on a strong note against a struggling team, the Cardinal still need to come out firing. There is no reason to take the game lightly, and as the post-season quickly approaches, every win counts.

Stanford’s game against the Pepperdine Waves will be played on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Avery Aquatic Center.

 

Contact Lauren Wegner at lwegner ‘at’ stanford.edu.

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Men’s water polo faces uphill battle against No. 1 UCLA https://stanforddaily.com/2015/10/15/mens-water-polo-faces-uphill-battle-against-no-1-ucla/ https://stanforddaily.com/2015/10/15/mens-water-polo-faces-uphill-battle-against-no-1-ucla/#respond Thu, 15 Oct 2015 07:02:51 +0000 https://stanforddaily.com/?p=1104943 The No. 4 Stanford men’s water polo team (14-4, 0-1 MPSF) will host No. 1 UCLA (17-0, 1-0) in a much-anticipated rematch, likely not the last time the two historical programs will face off this year. The upcoming match gives Stanford the opportunity to rebound from last weekend’s matches against No. 2 USC and No. 3 Cal, […]

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The No. 4 Stanford men’s water polo team (14-4, 0-1 MPSF) will host No. 1 UCLA (17-0, 1-0) in a much-anticipated rematch, likely not the last time the two historical programs will face off this year.

The upcoming match gives Stanford the opportunity to rebound from last weekend’s matches against No. 2 USC and No. 3 Cal, in which the team dropped consecutive games for the first time in nearly two years.

Stanford, CA; Saturday September 19, 2015; Men's Water Polo, Stanford vs Santa Clara.
Sophomore goalkeeper Oliver Lewis (left) has seen increased minutes this season for the No. 4 Stanford men’s water polo team and has excelled in his role, with 50 saves this season and a goals against average of 4.28. (HECTOR GARCIA-MOLINA/stanfordphoto.com)

Historically, the Bruins and Cardinal are both well-acquainted with success. The Pac-12 recently announced its all-century men’s water polo team, which features four former Stanford players — including Tony Azevedo ’04, who was named Pac-12 Player of the Century — and six from UCLA. In terms of national titles, UCLA has claimed nine in comparison to Stanford’s eight.

The Bruins will be riding high, coming off a Kap7 SoCal Invitational title last weekend. In the championship game against USC, UCLA’s junior goalkeeper Garrett Danner tied his career high of 15 saves and senior Anthony Daboub set his career high of 4 goals in a game. John Vargas’ squad will also have to work hard to shut down the offense of junior Ryder Roberts, who is on fire after scoring nine goals in the past three games — four alone in the USC game last Sunday.

In Stanford’s narrow 8-7 loss to UCLA earlier this season, the Cardinal trailed 6-3 well into the third quarter. Although senior Brett Bonnani and sophomore Mitchell Mendoza were able to pool together 3 timely goals in the span of 1:59, it wasn’t enough to seal the win.

On average, UCLA and Stanford allow roughly the same number of goals against them each game (5.24 and 5.29, respectively), but UCLA on average outscores its opponents roughly 4:1 in the first half of play. If Stanford is able to keep pace with the Bruins in the first half, the team will have a chance to capitalize in the third quarter, in which UCLA has allowed an uncharacteristic 34 goals this season.

This weekend’s matchup will either temporarily derail the Bruins in their hunt for back-to-back titles or potentially push the Cardinal out of contention for the top prize. Either way, it will be another great chapter in the never-ending back-and-forth between two of the nation’s elite.

Contact Lauren Wegner at lwegner ‘at’ stanford.edu.

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