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 Tara Van Derveer |
James Tomey (Carlsbad, CA)
Coach - The Pac-10 does not have a conference tournament. Do you feel thisis an advantage or disadvantage come the NCAA tourney?
Coach VanDerveer: I don't know if it's an advantage or disadvantage but I would say advantagein that you don't have people really tired and you're not playing threegames in three days. Our conference champion is really a true champion insome respects in that it's just a double round-robin. But I think that alot of people would like a tournament and it would be fun.
Michell Macovy (Seattle, WA)
I saw the game against Arizona State and Lindsey Yamasaki played for 25min. and led the team in scoring. What made you decide to give her so muchplaying time compared to the Colorado game?
Coach VanDerveer: She went in and did well, and that's pretty much how we play everyone. Ifsomeone goes in and does well, they stay in.
Darrin Garcia (San Jose, CA)
Coach, I am wondering what your philosophy is on having a team with verylittle talent. I know it isn't a situation that you face very often at all,but I am going to coach a high school team (starting in the spring) and inreality, there isn't a lot of base to work from. I am moving from coachingboy's varsity to girl's varsity and am just a little unsure as to whatapproach is too much and too little. X's and O's what's too much and toolittle. Is there any advice you can give me. Do you give copies of plays oroffensive/defensive systems? Good luck this year and good job against UA.
Coach VanDerveer: I would just concentrate on fundamentals: ball-handling, passing, shooting,defense. Keep things very simple. I do have a coaching manual that isavailable if you wants to write, for high school coaches.
Penny Lundin (Santa Ynez, CA)
Do you root for any other collegiate teams, most notably those led byformer colleagues of yours or former Stanford assistants or players? Areyou very proud of what Coach Turner Thorne has done at ASU? A split inArizona was good and we'll sweep 'em at home!
Coach VanDerveer: I definitely keep track of all of our former players and coaches that areout there, and I'm always really excited when they are successful. I thinkCharli's done a great job at ASU. But mostly I just try to concentrate onour own team and working with our Stanford team.
Ingrid Kingston (San Jose, CA)
Do you keep in touch with any of the Olympic team members? What did you dowith your medal?
Coach VanDerveer: Coaches don't win medals. We don't get medals, so I don't have one, andit's nothing I have to worry about. I do keep in touch with them,especially the Stanford players: Jennifer Azzi and Katy Steding. And RuthieBolton I'm pretty close to. But I've talked to all of them, most all ofthem, to keep up to speed on what they're doing, and they're all doingreally well.
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