A STRANGE SEAT . . . When Tara VanDerveer takes her seat in Maples Pavilion on Friday night to watch the Stanford women's basketball team open its season, the location of her chair could leave her with an unusual feeling. That's because VanDerveer, who left her job as Stanford's head coach this season, will be sitting on the visitors' side of the court, where she'll guide the USA National Team against the Cardinal women in an exhibition game at 7 p.m. Joining VanDerveer on the Olympians' side of the floor will be former Stanford standouts Jennifer Azzi and Katy Steding, who led the Cardinal to its first-ever NCAA championship in 1990. "Playing Stanford, in particular, I'm just excited to go back there and play," Azzi said. "It's kind of like going back home, there's so many memories and so many good feelings about being there." Azzi was averaging eight points a game and Steding seven points an outing during the U.S. women's team 2-0 start on its exhibition tour. The Olympians opened with an 83-47 victory over defending NCAA champion Connecticut, then trampled Georgia, 100-53. The game will be televised live on ESPN2. Tickets are available at the Stanford Ticket Office or by calling 1-800-BEATCAL. The exhibition opener for Stanford will mark the college debut of 6-foot-7 center Chandra Benton, who redshirted last season. Benton is the tallest player ever to play for the Stanford women's team. Before the game, VanDerveer will take Azzi and Steding to the Onetta Harris Community Center to host a clinic on Thursday.
TOP PROSPECT . . . Mitty High volleyball star Kerri Walsh, who this week will sign a national letter of intent to play for Stanford next fall, is one of 10 nominees for the Dial Award, emblematic of the national player of the year. Walsh, a senior with a 3.4 GPA average, was selected this year as the preseason national player of the year in volleyball. The 6-foot-2 1/2 standout also plays basketball, but will give up that sport when she attends Stanford. Should Walsh win the Dial Award, which will be awarded Jan. 29 in Washington, D.C., she'll be in good company. Current Stanford sophomores Kristin Folkl and Tiger Woods won the same honor two seasons ago.
HOOP CLINIC . . . Female basketball players grads 4-12 can sign up for a camp every Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. at College of Notre Dame in Belmont. The camp is run by former Stanford women's assistant coach Julie Plank and former Cardinal star Molly Goodenbour. Information: 593-0447.
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