Tara VanDerveer ties record for career wins in the most understated way

Have you been keeping up with all of the #1 ranked Stanford Women's Basketball team's wins? They are currently 3-0. We don't blame you if the answer is no, as the scheduled changed so much in the last two weeks due to Covid. However, they finally got a third game in, one that counts in the Pac-12 standings no less, on Sunday.

The game was against Cal, of course, in Oakland as Santa Clara County, where Stanford plays and practices, still has a ban on basketball. And of course our heroes without a home prevailed, 83-38. What makes this win so special is it was career-win number 1,098 for head coach Tara Vanderveer. With this win she ties legendary Tennessee coach Pat Summit.

(image curtesy of Stanford Women's Basketball)

It was so Tara, so apropos that the win happened with no fans, no fanfare and no fuss. No standing ovations, no courtside speeches. As the final horn sounded, she waved to Cal Head Coach, and former player and assistant coach, Charmin Smith. The players also forgo the handshake line, because, you know, Covid. Never mind the players were all just out there moments ago sweating over each other. Then the PA announcer spoke a garbled announcement about the win. Her players cheered. And what did Tara do? She waved her hands and says, "All right, all right, let's go to the locker room." So, so.... Tara.

The game had it's own magic courtesy of Fran Beilibi. She got a steal, raced to the basket, and with no one in front of her, and an escort of black shirts, she lined herself up to the basket, took that special, well placed dribble, and DUNKED it! I mean hand above the rim, throw it down dunk!! Check out the video courtesy of Pac-12 Networks.

Even though Stanford won by a bunch over Cal, they still missed a lot of shots. And scoring 83 points in the third game of the season is actually a let down, as they broke 100 points in the first two games. So still some room to improve. Freshmen Cameron Brink was high scorer with 16, three-point specialist Hannah Jump had 15 (going 5-6 from behind the arc) and was followed closely by Frannie with 14 (and didn't Tara say a few years back that a slam dunk still only counts for 2 points?). Steady Kiana Williams added 11.

Tara won't be as lucky to be low key for the next game with a chance to break the record. It happens Tuesday against Pacific and ESPN grabbed a chance to film history, so yay! You KNOW they are going to have to make a big del out of it, as well they should. Just don't know if Tara will cooperate. She is a slow and steady interview, and won't have the big emotions ESPN will want from such a historic game. You can check her out during the Cal game here, courtesy of Pac-12 Networks:

If you want a little more perspective on her historic wins, listen to former Stanford players and coaches talk about some of her iconic wins (Candice, Jayne, Azzi, Chiney, Nneka, all the faves!).

Stay tuned for 1,099! Maybe they will bring back the big bucket of confetti from win #1,000. And, just for the record, we truly love you too, coach!!

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