July 12, 2010

Whither the Cardinal?

By Judy Richter, FBC reporter:

Although this summer finds the majority of the Stanford women’s basketball team on campus for summer school, one player has opted for more exotic climes.

Senior guard Hannah Donaghe is in a Mexican rain forest as part of the course work for her earth systems major, according to associate head coach Amy Tucker.

Four others are staying in shape at their respective homes across the country. After post-season knee surgery, fifth-year senior guard Melanie Murphy is rehabbing at home in Brooklyn. Senior forward Ashley Cimino is farther north at her home in Maine, while junior guard Grace Mashore is farther south at her home in Virginia just outside Washington, D.C.

Meantime, sophomore forward Joslyn Tinkle is at home in Missoula, Montana, and working at basketball camps for her father, Wayne, men’s basketball coach at the University of Montana in Missoula.

The summer school contingent includes senior guard Jeanette Pohlen, senior forward Kayla Pedersen, junior forward Nneka Ogwumike, junior guard Lindy La Rocque, red-shirt sophomore center Sarah Boothe and sophomore forward Mikaela Ruef.

All of them also have been working at head coach Tara VanDerveer’s summer hoops camp. By the time the last session ends July 25, between 700 and 750 girls will have attended the camp, Amy said.

The three incoming freshmen – forward Chiney Ogwumike and guards Sara James and Toni Kokenis – also are attending summer school. In addition, the three of them, plus Sarah and Mikaela, are on a team playing in the San Francisco Pro-Am recreational basketball league on weekends at Kezar Pavilion.

The class of 2014 has time for more than studying and basketball
As for the recent graduates, center Jayne Appel is playing with the WNBA’s San Antonio Silver Stars. She played with the WNBA all-star team against the USA team on July 10 and is also on the USA roster.

Forward Michelle Harrison, who hails from Utah, is in summer school at the University of Utah, where she’s working on a master’s degree in art. Because she has another year of eligibility, she is expected to play basketball, too. That means she’ll probably play against her former teammates when Utah and Stanford meet this coming season.

Guard Rosalyn Gold-Onwude spent some time shadowing ESPN commentator Doris Burke and will interview for a job with ESPN, Amy said.

Amy, Tara and assistant coaches Bobbie Kelsey and Kate Paye have kept busy at hoops camp and on the recruiting trail. They’ll get some time away in August.

Limited practices for the 14 returning players start Sept. 15, followed by the first day of classes on Sept. 20. Regular practices start Oct. 5, Amy said.

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