For the first time in 25 years, Stanford women’s basketball began the season unranked in the Associated Press (AP) Top 25. However, the team has quickly silenced its doubters, climbing back into the rankings at No. 24 after a strong 3-0 start to the season, with each victory won by a margin of over 20 points.

This season marks a transition for Stanford following the retirement of Hall of Fame head coach Tara VanDerveer, the winningest coach in college basketball history. Taking the helm is former assistant coach Kate Paye, who has already faced the challenge of reshaping the team after the departure of stars Cameron Brink ‘24, who joined the WNBA’s LA Sparks, and Kiki Iriafen ‘24, who entered the transfer portal days after VanDerveer announced her retirement and currently plays for USC during her final season of eligibility.

Despite these adjustments, Stanford’s current roster has demonstrated resilience and talent, making an early statement with two blowout victories — against Washington State and Gonzaga — on the newly named Tara VanDerveer Court. Stanford’s first road win, meanwhile, came in a 107-43 offensive onslaught against Le Moyne. These wins have showcased the contributions of both returning players and new faces, including impactful performances from seniors and young players alike. The team currently leads the nation in three-point shooting accuracy.

With its return to the AP Top 25, the Cardinal is signaling that, despite the offseason transitions, it remains a force in women’s college basketball. Its success so far sets an optimistic tone for the season, as they look to keep the momentum going with a home matchup against UC Davis on Wednesday, followed by a challenging road game at Indiana on Sunday.