The Utah Starzz 2001 relied on Natalie Williams as their primary scoring and rebounding force, while Margo Dydek anchored the paint with elite shot-blocking and strong interior defense. Adrienne Goodson added dependable frontcourt production, and Edwige Lawson directed the offense as the lead playmaker. Utah’s statistical profile reflected a team built around size, rebounding, and rim protection, with balanced scoring but limited perimeter shooting compared to its interior strengths.
Continued to anchor Utah’s identity through relentless interior play, battling all season with a fractured foot while still leading the franchise to its first playoff berth. Independent reporting highlighted her leadership, rebounding and physicality as the foundation of the Starzz’s breakthrough campaign. (deseret.com)
All-WNBA First Team (2001); WNBA All-Star (2001)
Adrienne Goodson
Starter/Star (1.1)
30.5
High (1.2)
12.3
5.4
2.1
1.0
54.17
Served as Utah’s dependable veteran scorer, using strength in the mid-post and low block to complement Natalie Williams. During the club’s eight-game winning streak, her steady offensive production helped stabilize a roster that changed coaches midseason. (deseret.com)
Margo Dydek
Starter/Star (1.1)
30.3
Medium (1.1)
10.9
7.6
2.0
4.3
59.53
Controlled the paint with elite shot blocking, including a remarkable 10-block performance during the season. Coverage consistently credited her defensive presence as one of the biggest reasons Utah reached the playoffs for the first time. (deseret.com)
WNBA Blocks Leader (2001); WNBA Blocks Per Game Leader (2001)
Marie Ferdinand-Harris
Starter/Star (1.1)
27.0
Medium (1.1)
11.4
2.7
2.5
1.4
43.80
Entered the league as an aggressive rookie scorer who immediately expanded Utah’s offensive options on the wing. Independent coverage regularly pointed to her fearless shot-making as the missing perimeter dimension that pushed the Starzz into playoff contention. (Las Vegas Aces)
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2001)
Jennifer Azzi
Starter/Star (1.1)
37.7
Medium (1.1)
8.6
3.1
5.3
1.0
43.08
Orchestrated the offense with exceptional patience, finishing possessions through ball movement rather than volume scoring. Journalists highlighted her league-best three-point accuracy and playmaking as vital to Utah’s balanced attack. (deseret.com)
WNBA Three-Point Percentage Leader (2001)
Korie Hlede
Key Contributor (1.05)
16.9
Low (1.0)
5.6
1.5
1.6
0.9
20.16
Accepted a reduced offensive role but continued stretching defenses with dependable perimeter shooting. Her spacing remained valuable even as Utah leaned more heavily on its veteran frontcourt and rookie wing scorers.
Amy Herrig
Bench (1.0)
14.0
Low (1.0)
3.8
2.5
0.4
0.7
14.80
Filled reserve frontcourt minutes through rebounding and physical interior defense, allowing Utah to maintain its size whenever the starters rested. Contemporary independent player-specific coverage was limited.
Kate Starbird
Bench (1.0)
13.5
Low (1.0)
4.7
1.3
0.9
0.3
14.40
Operated as a reserve wing whose outside shooting provided occasional offensive bursts. Her role fluctuated throughout the year as Utah prioritized defensive lineups during its playoff push.
Dalma Ivanyi
Bench (1.0)
18.1
Low (1.0)
3.4
2.0
2.3
1.0
17.40
Contributed as a secondary ball-handler, keeping the offense organized with smart passing and steady decision-making. Limited contemporary independent reporting focused on her individual season.
LaTonya Johnson
Bench (1.0)
8.8
Low (1.0)
1.9
0.7
0.3
0.1
6.00
Saw her role shrink as Utah’s rotation deepened, but coaches continued trusting her defensive effort against opposing wings when needed. Limited independent player-specific coverage was available.
Cara Consuegra
Bench (1.0)
3.3
Low (1.0)
0.1
0.4
0.7
0.3
3.00
The rookie guard appeared only in brief reserve opportunities while adjusting to the professional game behind an experienced backcourt. Limited contemporary independent coverage was available. (deseret.com)
Michaela Pavlickova
Bench (1.0)
2.1
Low (1.0)
0.1
0.6
0.1
0.2
2.00
Played sparingly as developmental frontcourt depth during Utah’s playoff season. Limited contemporary independent reporting was available regarding her role. (WNBA)
Keitha Dickerson
Bench (1.0)
1.5
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.3
0.3
0.0
1.20
Appeared briefly before being waived early in the season as Utah adjusted its roster. Independent reporting on her on-court contributions was limited. (Wikipedia)
TOTALS
—
278.0
—
88.2
41.6
20.7
12.8
351.63
Utah finished 19–13, posted the franchise’s first playoff appearance and rode an eight-game winning streak after Candi Harvey replaced Fred Williams as head coach. Natalie Williams, Margo Dydek and a balanced veteran core established the Starzz as a legitimate Western Conference contender.
All-WNBA First Team (2001); WNBA All-Star (2001); WNBA Blocks Leader (2001); WNBA Blocks Per Game Leader (2001); WNBA All-Rookie Team (2001); WNBA Three-Point Percentage Leader (2001)
Took on Utah’s primary scoring responsibility against Sacramento, attacking inside with power and drawing contact while the Monarchs focused heavily on Natalie Williams. Game coverage consistently portrayed her as the Starzz’s most reliable half-court scorer in the series. (Wikipedia)
None
Margo Dydek
Starter/Star (1.1)
34.5
High (1.2)
14.0
7.0
1.5
4.0
69.17
Anchored the defense with elite rim protection, recording seven combined blocks despite Sacramento controlling the series. Her interior presence remained Utah’s best defensive weapon, but the Monarchs successfully limited second-chance opportunities around her. (Wikipedia)
WNBA Blocks Leader (2001); WNBA Blocks Per Game Leader (2001)
Marie Ferdinand-Harris
Starter/Star (1.1)
34.5
High (1.2)
14.5
4.0
3.5
1.5
61.25
Played with the same attacking mentality that defined her rookie season, aggressively driving gaps instead of settling for jumpers. Retrospective coverage of Utah’s 2001 draft class identified her immediate postseason impact as proof she was ready for a major offensive role. (Las Vegas Aces)
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2001)
Natalie Williams
Starter/Star (1.1)
28.5
High (1.2)
10.5
8.0
0.0
2.0
53.86
Sacramento devoted significant defensive attention to Williams after she carried Utah throughout the regular season, forcing others to create offense. Even while limited by physical play, she remained the emotional leader and primary rebounder throughout the series. (Wikipedia)
All-WNBA First Team (2001); WNBA All-Star (2001)
Jennifer Azzi
Starter/Star (1.1)
37.5
Medium (1.1)
4.5
1.5
5.0
1.0
29.28
Continued directing the offense despite struggling to score efficiently against Sacramento’s pressure defense. Her ball movement kept Utah organized, but the Monarchs disrupted the perimeter spacing that had fueled the Starzz during the regular season.
WNBA Three-Point Percentage Leader (2001)
Amy Herrig
Bench (1.0)
10.5
Low (1.0)
1.0
1.0
0.5
0.5
6.00
Supplied physical reserve minutes in the frontcourt as Utah shortened its rotation. Independent player-specific postseason coverage was limited, with her contributions centered on interior depth.
None
Korie Hlede
Bench (1.0)
8.5
Low (1.0)
2.0
1.5
0.5
0.5
9.00
Shifted into a smaller reserve role after starting much of the regular season, providing spacing whenever Utah looked for additional perimeter shooting. Limited independent playoff coverage was available for her individual performance.
None
LaTonya Johnson
Bench (1.0)
7.5
Low (1.0)
2.0
0.5
0.0
0.5
6.00
Entered primarily for defensive possessions against Sacramento’s backcourt. Limited contemporary reporting was available beyond her situational role in Utah’s playoff rotation.
None
Cara Consuegra
Bench (1.0)
2.0
Low (1.0)
3.0
1.0
0.0
1.0
10.00
Saw only brief action but converted her lone field-goal attempt. Contemporary independent coverage of her postseason minutes was limited.
None
Kate Starbird
Bench (1.0)
2.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Played only limited reserve minutes as Utah relied heavily on its veteran core. Independent postseason reporting on her individual role was limited.
None
Michaela Pavlickova
Bench (1.0)
2.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.00
Appeared only briefly during the series while Utah shortened its frontcourt rotation. Limited contemporary independent coverage was available.
None
TOTALS
—
200.5
—
67.5
33.5
18.5
12.0
316.63
Utah’s first playoff appearance ended in a two-game sweep by Sacramento, but the series reflected the identity the Starzz had built all season: interior toughness from Natalie Williams, Margo Dydek and Adrienne Goodson, with rookie Marie Ferdinand-Harris emerging as another dependable scoring option.
All-WNBA First Team (2001); WNBA All-Star (2001); WNBA Blocks Leader (2001); WNBA Blocks Per Game Leader (2001); WNBA All-Rookie Team (2001); WNBA Three-Point Percentage Leader (2001)
