Rachel Hanson returns for her second year as the head coach in 2015-16.

Hanson guided Stanford through a challenging first season filled with adversity. Despite the obstacles, the Cardinal produced a number of highlight moments, defeated five NCAA Tournament teams, recorded single-season top 10 numbers in multiple offensive categories and saw one of the best single-season individual performances in program history by Kayla Bonstrom.

Stanford picked up victories against 2015 NCAA Tournament teams No. 3/4 Alabama, No. 24/23 Arizona State, RV/25 Texas, Utah and Weber State.

The Cardinal was strong offensively, finishing the season in the top-10 in program history in walks (T-6th, 198), home runs (8th, 39), triples (8th, 11), slugging percentage (9th, .422) and RBI (10th, 259).

Hanson took the reins at Stanford after four seasons as the Dartmouth head coach where she elevated the program to new levels of success and claimed the winningest seasons in the school’s past decade.

Hanson had a successful 2014 season in which she led the Big Green to its first Ivy League Championship with an 18-2 conference record.  She guided her team to a 31-19 overall mark and a trip to the NCAA Tempe Regional. The 18 conference victories are the most in Dartmouth history and the 31 wins overall ranks second all-time.

Under Hanson’s leadership, Dartmouth student-athletes garnered a variety of individual honors including the 2014 Ivy League Player of the Year, 2013 Rookie of the Year, the 2013 and 2014 Ivy League Pitcher of the Year, NFCA All-Region honors, Ivy League first- and second-team selections and Ivy League All-Academic recognition.

Prior to leading the Big Green, Hanson coached the University of Dallas softball team for five seasons and set a program record of 80 wins. In 2009, she led the Crusaders to a program-best 20 victories and top-20 rankings in team scoring, doubles and triples.

A 2005 graduate of Trinity with a degree in political science, Hanson was a three-time all-conference selection and captained her team to a conference championship in her senior year. She was a force in the classroom as well, earning academic all-conference honors and receiving recognition on the Dean’s List.