A basketball all-star, Vandervort was a graceful shooter, aggressive rebounder, and a deft passer. By the time she graduated, Vandervort ranked in the top three in Heron history in several statistical categories.
As a first-year, Vandervort trailed only
Trena Sutton Mainor ’88 (Hall of Honor Class of 1999) in scoring and rebounding, averaging 11.9 points and 6.4 rebounds. She was twice named the ECAC Rookie of the Week during her inaugural campaign and ranked 22nd in the nation in field goal percentage (.549). After posting the best record in program history to that point (16-7), Vandervort and the Herons were ranked among the Division III leaders in scoring margin and scoring defense.
The following season, Vandervort was named to the American Women’s Sports Federation Fast-Break All-America second team after leading the Herons in scoring (15.0 ppg) and field goal percentage (.564, 13th in the nation) and finishing second in rebounding (7.4 rpg). She also represented William Smith on the inaugural New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association Upstate All-Star Team, the only sophomore so honored.
Vandervort again led the team in scoring as a junior and a senior, averaging a career best 15.8 ppg in 1987-88. She was voted the team MVP after each of her final three seasons on campus, despite battling a painful, chronic back injury. On Jan. 26, 1989, Vandervort scored 24 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds to lead the Herons to a 74-66 win over Hamilton in Bristol Gym. Her 15th point of the contest, scored during a 15-2 run midway through the second half, made her the third William Smith player to reach the 1,000-point plateau.
Vandervort finished her career with 1,193 points (14.5 ppg), which at the time was the second highest total (currently 10th) in school history. Also a force on the glass, the four-time All-Greater Rochester pick collected 602 rebounds (7.3 rpg), good enough for third on the all-time list (currently 9th). Vandervort’s 527 field goals made were second (now 5th), while her .550 field goal percentage was and is second.
Vandervort led the Herons to a 55-30 record during her four years on campus, at the time, the second highest winning percentage (.647) for a graduating class.
Originally from Manlius, N.Y., Vandervort earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She currently runs her own dog walking business. She also volunteers for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, including the annual Out of Darkness Walk for Rita.
