Reader R.A. writes: This was the best, most complete match the Gophs played all season, and at a perfect time. They were solid on serve receives and passes (mostly). Kilkelly, subbing for CC, played her best match, diving for short shots and coming up with good passes. The attack was balanced, with Samedy, Wenaas and Miyabi all scoring in double figures. Plus more productive middles, Husemann had 4. Stanford serves were good, but Kilkelly, Miyabi and Wenaas handled them well.
[John: The Gophers looked great, and R.A. says, this is exactly when we want them to look great. Maybe they found the key to peaking at the right time, or maybe they were inspired by Samedy and Miyabe’s last match at the PAV, or maybe Stanford was overrated. Hard to say. I agree that the Kilkelly, Miyabi and Wenaas receiving combo was excellent last night, but where we miss McGraw even more is as the alternative setter, where McGraw is under-appreciated but excels. Someone in the stands last night said McGraw is out for the season, but there was nothing about her in this morning’s Strib. I hope she is back for Baylor.]
Reader B.J. writes: The Cardinal name, which was adopted after dropping “Indians” in the 70s, remains controversial. “Cardinal” was one of their colors, but it also means “the tallest tree in the forest,” hence the lone pine tree in the school insignia. Stanford has no real mascot. The pine tree was thought up by some guy in the band and has kind of stuck. The student body once voted to use the nickname “Robber Barons,” referring to founder Leland Stanford. But for some reason the school refused to use it.
[John: I don’t know what color the cardinals in California are, but the male of the pair that nest in my yard every summer, is bright red. Not the dull, almost maroon that the school’s teams wear.]