STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Tara VanDerveer’s Stanford team is short-handed heading into its first practice Friday.
Sophomore forward Joslyn Tinkle is nursing a left ankle sprain that could sideline her for a couple of weeks. Guards Melanie Murphy and Lindy La Rocque will be out much longer for the Cardinal, who are gearing up for another deep NCAA tournament run after losing to Connecticut in last season’s NCAA title game.
Murphy is recovering from microfracture knee surgery, while La Rocque has a bone problem in a foot that has bothered her for months.
Stanford — 36-2 last season — lost 53-47 to UConn after leading 20-12 at halftime, and the Huskies won their 78th straight game to complete back-to-back unbeaten seasons.
