To know Who won the NCAA women’s championship last year…Read on this article….!
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a non-profit organization that efficiently governs student-athletes from up to 1,268 North American universities and specific conferences. It also deals in organizing and strategizing college and university athletic programs in the United States and Canada.
Last year’s NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship was won by Stanford under their talented and industrious coach, Tara VanDerveer. Stanford won the women’s NCAA championship for the third historic time defeating Arizona 54-53. The Cardinal’s win in San Antonio brings the Pac-12 its first women’s national championship since 1992. It was inevitably one of the most unforgettable and surreal nights in the ever-growing women’s basketball.
The Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player
The Stanford Cardinal’s Haley Jones #30 cheerfully celebrated a win over the Arizona Wildcats in the 2021 NCAA Women’s Basketball National Championship game. Her incredible talent and genius nature helped her team win the tournament and survive the Wildcats’ heartfelt persistence. She was voted the tournament’s most outstanding player as she led her team in winning the title. “I owe it all to my teammates. They have unbelievable confidence in me even when I seem to have lost it,” Jones said as she received the honour.
First NCAA Basketball Champion
Since last year’s tournament was cancelled in March 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak, Stanford became the first NCAA basketball champion in two years. The win had a significant win not only for the players but also for all fans who love and admire the game. In addition, it represented an emotional win over the atrocious repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic.
Stanford
Stanford University is represented by The Stanford Cardinal women’s basketball team. As deciphered from the name, the university is located in Stanford, California. In 1990, 1992, and 2021, the Cardinal won national titles while finishing second in 2008 and 2010.
Road to the final
The 2021 Women’s Tournament Final Four included three No. 1 seeds and one No. 3 seed. The Gamecocks of South Carolina faced Stanford, while UConn faced the 3-seeded Wildcats. Stanford won 66-65 at the buzzer to go to the anticipated championship game. Arizona defeated the Huskies 69-59 to go to the championship game. NC State, the other No. 1 seed, lost in the Sweet Sixteen to 4-seeded Indiana.
Recap of the final
It was indeed a phenomenal final that will live for years in the minds of those that witnessed it. It went straight to the final whistle, and players from both teams gave all they had. The scenes after the game were remarkable, especially with the different intense emotions that overwhelmed all people involved in the game.
Stanford got out to a fast start as planned, leading Arizona 16-8 by the end of the first quarter. However, Arizona was not going down without a fight. Their defence remained strong and motivated and kept them from running away with the game early on. Arizona effectively closed the margin in the second quarter with a remarkable run that shook the fans. They were able to sufficiently overcome a shaky start and a flurry of missed attempts. McDonald, who managed to score just five points in the first half despite accounting for roughly a third of her team’s total points this season, contributed to the shakiness.
Stanford, though, was able to reclaim the lead in the second quarter, going on an 11-3 run to lead 31-24 at halftime. Despite the Cardinal committing ten turnovers in the first two quarters, they maintained their lead. By now, the amazing fans were on the edge of their seats as they supported their respective teams to glory. Soon after, Arizona went on another incredible run to cut the deficit to three points, trailing Stanford just 40-43 at the half. Stanford, though, was able to maintain their lead, thanks to a strong performance from Jones.
Despite almost losing the game in the last minutes, the Cardinal held off the Wildcats’ final challenges, winning the championship after an 87-day road trip.
Challenges that faced the NCAA Women’s Championship
The apparent challenge had to be the emergence of the pandemic that led to a myriad of setbacks that were untenable and led to the imminent halt of all sporting activities. College athletics have had a particularly challenging year, with student-athletes frequently having to balance virtual lectures with the health concerns of in-person practice and games. During the regular season, teams had hundreds of games postponed or even cancelled.
There is also an imbalance between facilities and opportunities offered to men and women. This is evidently due to the fame behind men’s basketball and the number of funds earned from the sport compared to women’s basketball. In response to this, the NCAA has taken measures to try and create a balance. The NCAA announced an enhanced weight room for women’s teams, which included more space and equipment.
Should College Athletes Get Paid?
The primary argument in support of compensating college athletes is that they generate significant net money for their colleges. In addition, they work really hard when it comes to balancing their studies with their training sessions. The least that the school could do is offer some form of payment for such hard work. An inquisitive look at the subject indicates a plethora of justifiable reasons as to why these students should be paid.
Is women’s basketball growing?
The answer is pretty explicit. Yes, women’s basketball is growing at an exponential rate. As of 2022, women’s basketball is played globally, and it is no longer completely overshadowed by men’s basketball. Basketball is already among the most popular and rapidly growing sports in the world.
Conclusion
Stanford was undoubtedly the best team last year and deserved the success and recognition it got. The team raised the bar for women’s basketball and will be considered one of the greatest teams in history.
Frequently asked questions
- Which team did Stanford defeat in the finals?
Arizona.
- Which player was voted the most outstanding player?
Haley Jones
- Which player missed a last-minute shot to give victory to Stanford?
McDonald
- What was the final score in the final?
Stanford 54-53 Arizona
