[4][5] Oden graduated from Stanford in 1986 with a degree in public policy, and then went on to play with the United States national team (1986–92, '94).

[4] At the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Oden was selected as the "best hitter", tallying the highest hitting percentage during the Games.

[4] Four years later, she won a bronze medal with the national team at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

[2] Oden helped the national team win a bronze medal at the 1987 Pan American Games.

[9] Oden was the head volleyball coach at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, California, where in four years she recorded 100 wins and only 34 losses.