The Stanford Cardinal women’s volleyball team has carved a significant niche in the world of collegiate athletics. Known for their skill, teamwork, and competitive spirit, they have become a source of pride for the university and its supporters.
Over the years, Card have worked hard to demonstrate their dominance in the sport, racking up championships and developing star players.
Let’s take a look at how Stanford began its volleyball legacy as well as how they stack up in today’s college athletics ranks.
History of Stanford Women’s Volleyball
Stanford women’s volleyball began in 1976, just a few years after Title IX was enacted, opening doors for women’s sports across the country. The program started with modest ambitions but quickly gained momentum. Early on, the Cardinals established themselves as a competitive force in the NCAA. Under coach Bruce Downing the team became a reasonably competitive force, although not top-tier.
In 1977, Art Lambert took over coaching and helped lead the team to its first conference title. Under coach Fred Sturm (1978-1985), the team secured its second and third conference titles (1984, 1985). He also led the team to five NCAA championship appearances and built the team up to an impressive record of 193-83-3 (.699).
Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. For collegiate sports, it means that colleges must provide equal opportunities for female athletes by creating a proportionate number of roster spots available and granting equal scholarship opportunities, among other stipulations, which caused many schools to develop new women’s athletic programs.
This boost in the 80s helped launch the Cardinals to where they stand today. In fact, the team has made an appearance in the AIAW/NCAA tournament every single year since its inception in 1981 (except for 2020, when the tournament was canceled).
With Don Shaw (1984-1999), the famed Stanford volleyball coach, the team saw even more success. In 1992, Stanford secured its first NCAA Championship, defeating the University of Texas in a thrilling five-set match. This victory not only improved the program’s reputation but also ignited a passion for volleyball within the Stanford community.
By the end of his time as coach, Shaw helped build the team’s record to .863 (440-70) and earn four NCAA championship titles as well as 10 conference titles. 15 of the players from this era were selected for 35 AVCA All-America awards. Shaw’s leadership is the stuff of a legend; he was named AVCA National Coach of the Year in 1991 and inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame in 2008.
In 2001, John Dunning took over after Shaw’s retirement. Dunning’s coaching philosophy emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and a commitment to excellence. Under his leadership, the Cardinal has claimed multiple NCAA titles, including championships in 2001, 2004, 2016, 2018, and 2019. The team has also won 13 conference championships under Dunning.
Continuing the tradition of excellent coaching at Stanford, Dunning has been awarded Pac-12 Coach of the Year four times and was also inducted into the AVCA Hall of Fame.
The team consistently ranks among the best in the nation, making Stanford a fierce contender in collegiate sports, both in regional conferences and in NCAA womens volleyball. Their consistent success draws in both student-athletes and fans from all over the country.
The Famous Female Volleyball Players of Stanford
Over its history, the Stanford Cardinal team has seen many exceptional players who make history not only in the university’s books but also in collegiate volleyball as a whole.
We can’t list every single amazing player, so here are just a handful of big names in Card volleyball history.
Kim Oden: Middle blocker, 1982-1985
One of the early promising players, Oden helped lead her team to the NCAA title in 1984. She was a three-time All-American and Pac-10 Player of the Year. She was also named AVCA NCAA Player Of The Year in 1985. Oden also represented the U.S. at the 1988 Olympics and won bronze at the 1992 Olympics.
Her school records include most blocks in one season (208 in 1983) and a tie for first for most sets played (149 in 1982).
Logan Tom: Outside hitter, 1999-2002
Logan Tom was a standout outside hitter volleyball at Stanford, leading the Cardinal to the 2001 NCAA Championship.
During her college career, she received numerous accolades.
She earned the NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player (2001), AVCA National Player of the Year (2001, 2002), and First Team AVCA All-American distinction four times.
Tom also represented the U.S. in four Olympics, winning silver medals in 2008 and 2012.
In 2000, she made history as the youngest woman ever selected for the American Olympic volleyball team at age 19.
Tom holds several Stanford records, including
- 3rd most kills in a season (621 in 2001)
- 2nd most kills per set (5.86 in 2000)
- 2nd for service aces (66 in 2001)
Ogonna Nnamani: Outside hitter, 2001-2004
Ogonna Nnamani was a key volleyball player in Stanford’s 2004 NCAA Championship win and earned the title of AVCA National Player of the Year that season. She earned four All-American honors in her college career. Nnamani also competed for the U.S. national team and won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
She holds a few records amongst Stanford female volleyball players, including
- 3rd place for most sets played in a season (133 in 2004)
- 1st and 2nd place for most kills in a season (823 in 2004, 627 in 2003)
- Most kills per set (6.19 in 2004)
- 1st and 2nd place for total attempts in a season (1,819 in 2004, 1,538 in 2003)
Foluke Akinradewo: Middle blocker, 2005-2008
Foluke Akinradewo earned multiple All-American honors in her collegiate career.
She was also was named the AVCA National Player of the Year in 2007, and earned a place on the AVCA All-American team four times.
She went on to compete internationally, participating in the 2012, 2016, and 2020 Olympics and winning silver, bronze, and gold, respectively.
She holds first place in Stanford’s records as having the highest hitting percentage (.499 in 2007).
Kathryn Plummer: Outside hitter, 2016-2019
Kathryn Plummer led Stanford to NCAA Championships in 2016, 2018, and 2019, earning the AVCA National Player of the Year award in both the latter years and earned selection for the NCAA all-tournament team all three years. In 2017 and 2018, she was named National Player of the Year. Known for her powerful hitting, she also excelled internationally, playing for professional teams in Italy, Japan, and Turkey. She was named an alternate for the U.S. Olympic team in 2020 and competed in the 2024 Olympics, winning silver.
She has a Stanford record for 7th most kills in a season with 555 in 2017.
Morgan Hentz: Libero, 2016-2019
Morgan Hentz was a starting volleyball libero for Stanford, playing a crucial role in the team’s NCAA Championships in 2016, 2018, and 2019. In 2017-2019, she was also named Pac-12 libero of the year and earned AVCA First Team All-American thrice.
In 2016, she set a school record for most digs in a season with 630, and a total of 2,310 over her career which is also a record.
She was set to join the U.S. national team for the 2020 Olympics but ultimately was not able to because of the pandemic. In 2022, she debuted with the U.S. team at the FIVB Volleyball Nations League and proved her skills.
Pivotal Moments in Stanford Womens Volleyball
Stanford, as a Division I NCAA women’s volleyball team, predictably has many defining moments in its history.
One such moment came in 1992 when the Cardinal captured their first NCAA Championship. This victory marked a new era for the team and set a standard for future success. The dramatic five-set match against Texas showcased the team’s grit and determination. Up to that point, the team had appeared in the championship semifinals 6 times and were the runners-up 3 times.
More recently, the 2018 championship was a significant highlight. Stanford faced off against the Nebraska Huskers in the finals, and the match was a true testament to the dedication, skill, and chemistry of the Card players, especially against Nebraska who is known for succeeding under pressure. The final match went to 5 sets, wherein Stanford was able to finally get the upper hand and win 3-2.
Moments like these not only brought glory to the team but also created a lasting bond among players, coaches, and fans.
Ranks and Records of the Stanford Volleyball Team
In its history, Stanford’s women’s team has produced 8 AVCA NCAA Players Of The Year.
Many players have also been named for the AVCA All-American teams throughout the team's history, equalling 47 players earning 115 honors in total.
10 former Stanford players have gone on to play for the U.S. team in the Olympics.
Stanford is ranked as the most winningest team in the NCAA Women's Volleyball Championships with nine titles.
The Stanford Cardinal has also won the majority (almost ⅔) of conference titles in the past 36 years as part of the Pac-10 and Pac-12 conferences.
Stanford Volleyball Schedule 2024
The 2024 regular season of the Stanford volleyball schedule began on August 30th and will end on November 30th.
The NCAA volleyball schedule begins on December 1st and will finish on December 22nd.
You can learn more about the Stanford women’s volleyball schedule on the Stanford volleyball website, where you can also learn how to purchase Stanford volleyball tickets, how to get volleyball posters, and more!
As the 2024 season progresses, the excitement continues to build. With a talented roster and a commitment to success, the Cardinals are poised to write the next chapter in their storied history. For fans and supporters, there’s no better time to rally behind the team and celebrate the spirit of Stanford women’s volleyball.
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