Showing posts with label women's sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label women's sports. Show all posts


Arizona Snags Buffalo's Becky Burke as Women's Basketball Coach

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The University of Arizona has appointed Becky Burke from Buffalo as the new head coach for their women’s basketball team.

Burke replaces Adia Barnes , who departed to take over as SMU's coach last week.

Our model focuses on selecting head coaches who emphasize success in teaching, recruitment, and fostering high-character student-athletes," stated Arizona Athletic Director Desiree Reed-Francois on Wednesday. "Coach Burke stands out as an accomplished program developer and a promising figure in college women’s basketball, boasting a history of groundbreaking achievements. She has a deep understanding of both the Wildcats and the close-knit community here in Tucson.

Over the last three years, Burke was with Buffalo, guiding the team to a record-breaking 30 victories and securing theWNITtitle in the 2024–25 season. Under her leadership, Buffalo made it to the finals of the Mid-American Conference tournament despite being predicted to place fourth in their conference.

Previously, Burke had a two-season tenure as the head coach for USC Upstate and another two seasons at the Division II level with the University of Charleston. Following her time as an assistant at both Saint Joseph’s and Cal State Fullerton, she went on to coach for two years at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University located in Prescott, Arizona.

Burke participated in the NCAA Tournament with Louisville as a player on three occasions, which included an appearance in the 2009 national championship game.

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Arizona Tabs Becky Burke from Buffalo as Women's Basketball Coach

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — The University of Arizona has appointed Becky Burke from Buffalo as the new head coach for their women's basketball team.

Burke replaces Adia Barnes , who departed to take over as SMU's coach last week.

Our model focuses on selecting head coaches who emphasize winning through effective teaching, attracting talented players, and nurturing young athletes with strong character," stated Arizona Athletic Director Desiree Reed-Francois on Wednesday. " Coach Burke has demonstrated her ability as an outstanding developer of successful programs and is emerging as a prominent figure in college women’s basketball. Her history shows transformative achievements. Additionally, she understands both the Wildcats and the close-knit community here in Tucson.

During his tenure over the last three seasons with the Buffalo team, Burke guided them to a record-breaking total of 30 victories and clinched the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) title for the season 2024-25. Despite being predicted to place fourth in their conference, he successfully navigated the squad into the finals of the Mid-American Conference tournament.

Previously, Burke had a two-season tenure as the head coach at USC Upstate and another two seasons at the Division II program for the University of Charleston. Following her time as an assistant at both Saint Joseph's and Cal State Fullerton, she went on to coach for two years at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University located in Prescott, Arizona.

Burke participated in the NCAA Tournament with Louisville as a player on three occasions, which included an appearance in the 2009 national championship game.

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Bangladeshi Women Athletes Reflect on Historic Official Visit

Dhaka, April 25 – Recently, four female athletes from Bangladesh arrived back after accompanying Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus on an official trip to Qatar. They spoke about their experiences with journalists at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Friday.

This landmark visit marked the first occasion when women athletes participated alongside the head of government as official representatives during an international mission.

Football players Afida Khandakar and Shaheda Akhter Ripa, along with cricket athletes Sumaiya Akhter and Sharmin Sultana, showcased Bangladesh's increasing involvement in female athletics.

On Friday, following their return home, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder presented the athletes to the media.

"They visited Qatar's sports facilities, met with senior sports officials, and were interviewed by the local media. It was a completely new experience for them," Azad Majumder said.

Sharmin Sultana, who was among the two female cricketers participating in this visit, mentioned that the tour held great importance for them.

Sharmin told the press, "We toured two prominent stadiums; one previously held the men’s FIFA World Cup and currently focuses on women’s soccer. Additionally, we got to converse with the initiator of the Qatar Foundation, an organization that promotes women’s athletics."

"It was truly an honor. We received congratulations from people all through our journey," said Sumaiya Akhter, the other cricket player.

Shaheda Akter Ripa pointed out that the visiting delegation addressed the difficulties faced in managing injuries among women athletes in Bangladesh throughout their discussions.

He mentioned that they brought up the topic of inadequate rehabilitation centers for female athletes," referring back to their discussion with the prominent representative from the Qatar Foundation.

Afida Khandakar, the female football player, stated that it was a significant accomplishment for them and for women's sports in Bangladesh to journey as official delegates alongside the Chief Adviser.

This trip formed part of Bangladesh’s official representation at the Earthna Summit held in Doha. Following their conclusion in Qatar, the Chief Adviser proceeded to the Vatican for the papal funeral, as the newly deceased Pope had succumbed to a long battle with illness not long ago.



Red Raiders Shine: Amori Pierson Breaks Tech's Women's Shot Put Record

Lubbock, Texas – On March 29th at the Texas Relays, Texas Tech University's female track and field athlete Amori Pierson etched her name into the school's record book with an impressive shot put throw of 17.84 meters, setting a new program best.

Pierson surpassed the previous record of 17.80 meters, which was once owned by Kayli Johnson, the champion in this event at the Big 12 Women’s Outdoor Championship back in 2022.

When challenges get tough, I don’t shy away," Pierson stated. "Instead, I embrace even more responsibilities so that difficult tasks become simpler over time. I believe this approach significantly aids my success and sets me apart.

The second-year student-athlete continued her outstanding form after setting a new record by claiming first place at the Masked Rider Open, launching the javelin to a distance of 16.15 meters.

She has distanced herself," stated Texas Tech head coach Wes Kittley. "She is understanding the spin technique and learning how to remain consistent rather than missing, essentially getting more familiar with the event itself. She puts in a lot of effort.

Pierson stands at number 5 nationally in shot put as they head into the 44 Farms Teams Invite in College Station, starting this Friday.

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SMU Women's Basketball Aims for a Fast Turnaround Under New Leader Adia Barnes

UNIVERSITY PARK — In the past year, SMU has demonstrated a strong dedication to advancing their athletic development.

It has been showcased through various avenues, including its affiliation with the ACC, significant historical fund-raising initiatives, and several high-profile recruitments. President-elect Jay Hartzell to Athletic Director Damon Evans Even the men's basketball coach, Andy Enfield.

On Wednesday evening, SMU demonstrated that same dedication once more, new head coach for women’s basketball, Adia Barnes At Moody Coliseum — a significant investment in women’s athletics, particularly in women’s basketball, an area that continues to hold substantial growth potential for the Mustangs.

When reflecting on SMU and the possibilities before us, one thought consistently comes to mind: thinking ambitiously and acting courageously. This was precisely what we aimed to do during our quest for a new women’s basketball coach," Evans stated at the event presenting Barnes. "We are fully committed to elevating women’s basketball here, setting unprecedented standards. My belief is that we can establish ourselves as one of the leading forces in collegiate women’s basketball nationwide.

For an extended period, SMU’s women’s basketball team has faced challenges in achieving on-court victories. Over the past decade, the Mustangs have only managed two winning seasons. Since 2008, they have not qualified for the NCAA Tournament. In their inaugural year as part of the ACC, they concluded at the bottom of the league standings, suffering defeats in all fourteen of their final conference matches.

Given their recent track record, the Mustangs seem quite distant from reaching the championship caliber that several other teams around the Hilltop are nearing. However, with Barnes taking charge, both she and the administration at SMU believe they have what it takes to find success much sooner than expected.

"Given her track record and the history she has in basketball, anyone like her would be well-prepared for the ACC," said SMU President R. Gerald Turner.

During her illustrious playing career, Barnes excelled both at Arizona—where she established 22 individual records and propelled the team into their inaugural NCAA Tournament in 1997—and in the WNBA, securing a championship with Seattle over her seven-year tenure in the league.

She enhanced her reputation as a coach by transforming her alma mater, Arizona, into a formidable team and guiding the Wildcats to the national championship game in 2021. There, they narrowly lost by one point to the dominant program at Stanford.

However, she departed from her previous institution to join SMU, and within just a few days in her new position, She has already added eight players to her team list. , including players who transferred via the portal and others who came with her from Arizona. Before delivering her introductory comments on Wednesday, she had nearly assembled an entire team.

She is also bringing her entire team from Arizona along with her, which includes her spouse Salvo Coppa, serving as an assistant coach for Arizona.

When you have a strong team supporting you, the possibilities are endless," she stated. "Together, we will achieve incredible feats here. I am thrilled to begin this journey.

Barnes mentioned that it has never been simpler to swiftly transform a women's college basketball program. On Wednesday, she made numerous references to this idea multiple times. How TCU transformed itself from one of the lowest-ranked teams in the Big 12 to an Elite Eight contender. Through the transfer portal, she emphasized that relationships and resources are crucial factors, noting that SMU holds promise in these areas.

It's like striking gold," Barnes stated. "The possibilities are immense. Whatever you can imagine, it seems capable of achieving it. If we get the appropriate team and adequate support, I believe there will be no boundaries.

However, aside from achieving victories on the basketball court, Barnes has demonstrated a strong commitment to expanding the sport within the local community. Under her leadership at Arizona, she consistently drew crowds ranging between 8,000 to 9,000 attendees, according to Evans. This enthusiasm extends particularly to attracting new talent from the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Notably, she also recruited top recruit Jazzy Gipson, who initially pledged herself to Arizona before deciding to join SMU instead—following her coach and remaining nearer to her family.

Given the success of coaches like Barnes and Evans, who transformed Arizona and Maryland into well-known programs in women’s basketball, there’s potential for SMU to follow a comparable trajectory.

Evans stated, "She has experienced the typical peak. Currently, she is at the correct Hilltop," he explained confidently. "I am certain she will lead us back to our desired destination."

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Sooners Surge Ahead: OU Softball Dominates OSU With Run-Rule Victory in Bedlam Showdown

Coach Patty Gasso and the second-ranked Oklahoma Sooners will face coach Kenny Gajewski and the 16th-ranked Oklahoma State Cowgirls In this season's single Bedlam softball match on Wednesday evening at Devon Park.

The Sooners (34-3) have secured victories in their last three matches, while the Cowgirls (23-11) come into the game having lost two consecutive matches.

This is the information you require. Sooners-Cowgirls game:

More: SEC softball power rankings: The Florida-Arkansas series, along with Tim Walton’s ejection, reshuffles the order

OU softball real-time score updates against Oklahoma State in the Bedlam game

More: Why Bedlam Softball Stays Significant for Oklahoma State as the Season Draws to an End

FINAL: OU 11, OSU 3 | The Sooners secure an run-rule victory with their last 11 runs in just five innings.

Kasidi Pickering barely failed to hit her second home run of the evening.

Pickering connected with a 3-2 pitch, sending it off the top of the fence in left field. She began jogging toward second base but then picked up speed again when the ball came back in, ultimately reaching second safely for an RBI double.

The Sooners earlier in the inning, scored a run when Ailana Agbayani got hit by a pitch, stole second base, and subsequently crossed home plate thanks to Hannah Coor’s hit to right field.

Pickering's double sent Coor home, giving the Sooners a 9-3 lead.

Pickering has gone 2 for 4 with three RBIs. She scored a two-run homer in the third inning.

Later, Ella Parker drove in a run with a double, making the score 10-3, and Gabbie Garcia continued the rally with an RBI single, resulting in a 11-3 victory for the Sooners.

Parker went 3 for 3. It was his first multi-hit game since March 1.

—Ryan Aber, Staff writer

More: OU softball cruises past OSU in Bedlam as Sooners and Cowgirls contribute to setting an NCAA attendance record

Bedlam softball breaks NCAA regular-season attendance mark

The Wednesday Bedlam match established a new attendance record for regular-season collegiate softball games.

The reported attendance for the crowd was 9,259.

The prior record was set at Devon Park as well. In 2023, a match between OU and Texas attracted a spectator count of 8,930.

—Ryan Aber, Staff writer

More: Oklahoma State's softball team was overcome by a 'here we go again' feeling after their Bedlam loss.

Top 5: OU 7, OSU 3 | Sam Landry maintains momentum with the Sooners

Following OU’s five-run outburst in the fourth, Sam Landry swiftly dominated the Cowgirls during the fifth inning.

Landry secured two outs with grounders to the shortstop prior to Nelly McEnroe-Marinas delivering a powerful toss on the move off Megan Delgadillo’s sluggish grounder towards third base, thus concluding the frame.

—Ryan Aber, Staff writer

CARLSON: How over 9,200 fans, along with two leading teams and an incredible stadium, created a landmark moment for NCAA softball.

Conclusion 4: OU 7, OSU 3 | Maya Bland hits a home run to put the Sooners in front

Maya Bland initiated a running procession for the Sooners.

She hit a three-run home run with one out to left field, giving the Sooners their initial lead for the evening. This was just the second home run of her sophomore season.

The pitch capitalized on Cowgirl ace Ruby Meylan walking the initial two hitters of the frame. Following the home run allowed, she induced a flyout and seemed nearly finished with the inning. However, an error by Karli Godwin at first base advanced Nelly McEnroe-Marianas to second, leaving Ella Parker at bat and putting additional pressure on the Cowgirls.

Parker sent a laser shot up the center that almost struck Meylan and resulted in scoring for McEnroe-Marianas.

Parker drove in a run with a double to left field hit by Gabbie Garcia.

This resulted in a pitching switch with Katie Kutz stepping in for Meylan. Kutz then induced pinch hitter Tia Malloy to ground out to the first baseman, thus concluding the inning.

—Jenni Carlson, columnist

MUSSATTO: OU and Oklahoma State softball teams are heading in opposite directions following a lopsided Bedlam game | Mussatto

Midsection 4: OSU 3, OU 2 | Sam Landry helps get the Sooners out of a bind

Early standout Sam Landry found himself in a major predicament.

Thanks to a pair of infield hits flanking a base-on-balls, The Cowgirls had runners at every bag without any outs on the board.

However, Landry managed through it, securing a line on a diving play from second baseman Ailana Agbayani, followed by striking out a batter and inducing a ground out.

—Jenni Carlson, columnist

Conclusion 3: OSU 3, OU 2 | Kasidi Pickering’s home run puts OU on the scoreboard

Maya Bland walked leading off the bottom of the third inning for OU, and the next batter, Kasidi Pickering, hit a homerun to right field, scoring the first runs of the game for OU.

OSU's Ruby Meylan issued a one-out walk, but she responded with a lineout and a strikeout to conclude the inning.

— Scott Wright, Correspondent Writer

Midsection 3: OSU OU | Rosie Davis' Homer ExtendsCowgirls' Lead

At OSU, second baseman Rosie Davis swung at an outside slow pitch and sent it over the center-right outfield wall for a solo homer, giving theCowgirls a 3-0 advantage.

Amanda Hasler then hit an infield single, yet the Cowgirls couldn't cause any further harm during the top of the third inning.

— Scott Wright, Team Writer

Conclusion 2: OSU 2, OU 0 | Ruby Meylan continues her impressive streak

Ailana Agbayani sent a line drive soaring above OSU left fielder Tia Warsop’s reach, resulting in a two-out double. However, no harm was inflicted as Ruby Meylan managed to retire Isabela Emerling, thus ending the inning.

—Joe Mussatto, columnist

Midsection 2: OSU 2, OU 0 | Sam Landry swiftly dominates the Cowgirls

Following a wobbly opening frame, Sam Landry dominated the Cowgirls during their turn at bat in the top of the second. Landry fanned Micaela Wark and then secured a pair of straightforward groundout outs.

—Joe Mussatto, columnist

Conclusion 1: OSU 2, OU | Ruby Meylan escapes difficulty

The Sooners appeared set for a clean inning with three consecutive outs, but they allowed a runner to reach base during the bottom of the first when Ella Parker managed to squeeze out a slow bouncer for an infield hit.

However, Cowgirl standout Ruby Meylan left her there after inducing a flyout to left field from Gabbie Garcia with a strong batting effort.

—Jenni Carlson, columnist

Middle 1: OSU 2, OU 0 | The Cowgirls take an early lead in Bedlam

A mistake-ridden start to the first inning by the Sooners has handed the Cowgirls an early advantage.

OSU’s speedster Tia Warsop was at first base when OU’s pitcher, Sam Landry, botched a ground ball hit by Rosie Davis. This mistake was followed by another error as Landry mishandled a throw to first, causing the ball to sail past Sooner’s first baseman, Cydney Sanders. These errors enabled Warsop to advance towards home plate. Despite Landry successfully throwing the ball back home in an attempt to stop her, Warsop managed to slide safely underneath the tag.

After one more pitch, the Sooners made an additional mistake. This time, it was due to a ball hitting the glove of third baseman Nelly McEnroe-Marinas.

This enabled Davis to score.

The Cowgirls secured an additional runner when Karli Godwin hit a single towards center field; however, Landry managed to contain the extent of the damage afterward.

—Jenni Carlson, columnist

More: Top 16 NCAA women’s softball rankings: See how Bri Ellis and Arkansas dominated over Florida

Pre-game: Sam Landry and Ruby Meylan are set to start in the circle for Bedlam Softball.

In Wednesday’s Bedlam showdown, both squads will be sending out their star pitchers.

OU (34-3) is beginning with Sam Landry pitching.

So far this season, Landry has an impressive record of 11 wins against just 2 losses, maintaining an outstanding earned run average (ERA) of 1.83 and recording 99 strikeout pitches over 84 innings played.

Kasidi Pickering will bat first for the Sooners, followed by Nelly McEnroe-Marinas, Ella Parker, Gabbie Garcia, and Cydney Sanders.

Maya Bland is leading off from the left side and will bat ninth. This marks her sixth start of the season.

Ruby Meylan will take the mound for the Cowgirls.

Meylan has a record of 15-4 along with a 1.32 ERA over 121 2/3 innings pitched. She has also recorded 143 strikeouts.

Tallen Edwards will bat first for Oklahoma State (23-11), followed by Tia Warsop, Rosie Davis, and Amanda Hasler.

—Ryan Aber, Staff writer

More: The Oklahoma State softball schedule for 2025 includes dates, start times, and television networks for OSU Cowgirls games.

What time is theOU softball game against Oklahoma State tonight?

  • Date: Wednesday, April 9
  • Time: 7 p.m. CT

The match between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State begins at 7 p.m. CT on Wednesday at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.

More: Could OU softball maintain its top-eight position for the NCAA Tournament? The Bedlam series might have a significant impact.

Which channel will broadcast the Oklahoma versus Oklahoma State softball game tonight?

  • TV channel: ESPN2
  • Livestream: ESPN+ ( Here’s how you can watch it live online )

The game between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will air on ESPN2. Additionally, it can be watched via streaming on ESPN+.

More: Top Big 12 softball power rankings: Could Texas Tech secure one of the top-16 seeds for an NCAA regional hosting spot?

OU softball highlights against Oklahoma State in the Bedlam game

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The article initially appeared in The Oklahoman. OU Softball versus OSU summary: The Sooners dominate the Cowgirls with a run-rule victory in the Bedlam game.



TCU Star Hits Back at Angel Reese in 2 Words Following Big Announcement

Before Chicago Sky’s forward Angel Reese even took the floor for the WNBA, she had already made waves in the realm of women's basketball. Her victory with LSU in the 2023 National Championship against Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes intensified the rivalry between these emerging talents.

While not every team enjoys the success experienced by Coach Kim Mulkey and her Tigers, Notre Dame stood out for most of the season with their formidable lineup featuring Olivia Miles, Sonia Citron, and Hannah Hidalgo. However, towards the end of the year, the program faced tough challenges. Despite maintaining championship aspirations throughout the campaign, they struggled down the stretch and were eliminated in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament.

Miles then announced her major decision To join the transfer portal and swiftly committed to the TCU Horned Frogs. She will step into the void left by Hailey Van Lith, who is heading into the 2025 WNBA Draft, aiming to rejuvenate her career much as Van Lith did this year.

On Tuesday, a video emerged from Miles' Instagram Live where she praised Sky's Angel Reese. The next day, she went on to continue showing appreciation for Reese. most recent Instagram post .

"Get active," wrote Miles.

In the past year, Reese has garnered significant backing from athletes across the WNBA and women’s college basketball. Her skills on the court command great admiration, but she also earns praise for broadening her endeavors and stepping into new territories outside of playing.

This off-season, she secured numerous significant endorsement deals, launched her own podcast, and appeared on the cover of a leading magazine, further boosting her growing popularity. Nonetheless, come May 17, the focus will be solely on basketball as the Chicago Sky kick off their season with an away game against Clark and the Indiana Fever.

Related: Chicago Sky Predicted to Bring Back Angel Reese With Her Former LSU teammate in Latest Forecast

Related: Ex-Notre Dame Player Sends an Angel Reese Message Following BigCareer Shift



Kennedy Harp's two-run homer leads FSU softball to comeback victory over Virginia

Florida State Softball (35-6, 10-1) was down but far from defeated. After being excluded from game one versus Virginia (26-11, 7-6) On Friday, FSU staged a comeback to secure a win over the opponent. Cavaliers , 9-8 in front of an audience of 1400 at the Seminole Softball Complex on Saturday afternoon.

"It was their chance for kids to seize control of both their team and their fate," said the FSU coach. Lonni Alameda said.

I believe that today taught us a valuable lesson: we can either focus on the result or simply go out and compete. When we switched into compete mode, everything fell into place for us.

Following two scoreless frames, UVA got their first points on the scoreboard with four runs in the fourth inning, adding another three in the third and one in the fifth.

FSU came back from a 7-1 deficit by scoring eight runs in the last three innings against the Cavaliers. With just two outs remaining in the sixth inning at the bottom of the ninth, FSU trailed by merely one run.

UVA's pitcher, Eden Bigham, who recorded six strikeouts in the first game, took her place on the mound. Kennedy Harp Hit a two-run home run for FSU to secure their initial lead. Harp gained insights from facing Bigham and understanding her capabilities.

"Frankly, it's all about handling one pitch at a time," Harp stated.

I believe she's an excellent pitcher. Simply focusing on my routine and ensuring my foot is firmly planted. This helps me maintain control and aim for the strike zone. Therefore, I'll do everything possible to support my team.

The defense took care of the remainder. Following a difficult day for FSU's starting pitcher, Julia Apsel and a relieved pitcher Ashtyn Danley , freshman Jazzy Francik assumed control in the fourth frame.

For Jazzy to come and provide us with a great view was significant for our team," Alameda stated. "It was also important for her to demonstrate such composure as a newcomer.

The sole strikeout pitch ignited the Seminoles. She secured her position as the winning pitcher with a record of 6-2. During the final 3.1 innings, she conceded just two hits, one run, a walk, and made an error. This period was rich with valuable lessons for her.

Another notable defensive play came from the left fielder. Addie Delong' That diving catch secured UVA their third out and stranded two runners on base as FSU fell behind 8-5.

At least four batters with at least one RBI each. Harp, Michaela Edenfield and Haille Wacaster each had two RBI . Jahni Kerr led with three hits at bat and one run batted in.

FSU goes back to the Plex to finish their series with UVA on Saturday at noon.

Need a break? Enjoy the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Challenge.

Where to stream FSU softball against Virginia

  • TV: ACC Network Extra
  • Radio/stream: 96.5 FM, Seminoles.com
  • Date/Time: Sunday, April 6th at 12:00 PM
  • Where: Seminole Softball Complex, Tallahassee

More: Ex-FSU softball players share what makes Lonni Alameda exceptional as she battles cancer.

Peter Holland Jr. reports on Florida State sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Reach out to him through his email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X (@_Da_pistol).

The article initially appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat. Kennedy Harp's two-run home run propels FSU softball to a comeback win against Virginia.



March Madness Mishap: The Sports Bra Turns Last Year’s Error Into a Bar Top Trend

The country's premier women's sports bar is turning around one of the mistakes from last year. NCAA Tournament .

The sports bra took control of the court with the inconsistently sized 3-point arcs This created a buzz during the women's tournament matches held in Portland, Oregon, in 2024, and led to its installation as a new bar surface.

Jenny Nguyen, the founder of Sports Bra, views the court as having drawn more focus to the women’s tournament, which has underscored that the women’s side can no longer remain an overlooked aspect.

And according to her, that is ultimately beneficial.

“As far as we’re concerned, commemorating it helps reshape the story,” Nguyen stated. “There’s something almost uplifting about that, akin to displaying it in a museum. Plus, where else would you showcase it but at the Sports Bra?”

In the previous year, when Portland was home to the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matches, the court featured uneven three-point lines, differing from one end to the other. roughly 9 inches shorter than standard size at its apex.

Before the lines were redone for the regional final match between UConn and Southern California, five games had taken place on the court. The NCAA stated that this error was due to a human mistake made by the firm responsible for setting up the venue.

The legal issues were merely part of a sequence of complications throughout the 2024 women's tournament.

In Spokane, Washington, the men’s and women’s opening-round games overlapped with a youth volleyball tournament. This led to some of the women’s teams being accommodated in hotels located across the state border in Idaho. The Utah women's team mentioned that during their stay there, players were subjected to racist abuse by a passerby .

Moreover, during an early round match in Raleigh, North Carolina, a referee was replaced at halftime due to a potential bias issue. In another instance, a player was removed from a game for similar reasons. remove a nose piercing .

This March Madness has seen little controversy regarding women's basketball, which Nguyen views positively for the development of women’s sports. This is part of what inspired her to transform the former playing surface into a bar countertop.

"We believe it's the most incredible tale ever told. However, some others may view it as the gravest error imaginable, one that merely commemorates a misstep and leaves a blemish on the competition," she stated.

The Sports Bra, launched in 2022, was the inaugural one of its kind. increasing number of sports bars tailored for women spreading nationwide Including "Rough & Tumble" in Seattle and "A Bar of Their Own" in Minneapolis, the Sports Bra aims to broaden its presence across more regions. The venture has received backing from Alexis Ohanian, a co-founder of Reddit and an original owner of Angel City FC in the NWSL.

Nguyen mentioned that parts of the notorious courthouse might also be included in those upcoming sites.

Like in 2021, when the disparity between the men's and women's weight rooms at the event prompted the NCAA to take action—these small but significant fights contribute to an improved experience for all female athletes and their teams. "It’s quite a rollercoaster," Nguyen stated, "but we're embracing it."



What Cori Close Said About UConn’s Jim Mora: "A Real Good Friend"

At her inaugural Final Four press conference on Thursday in Tampa, Florida, UCLA's women’s basketball coach Cori Close recounted several tales of her proximity to various occasions. UConn program And over the years, its players have cultivated a strong rapport and deep admiration for the Huskies.

Once her speech concluded, she kept conversing with several journalists and acknowledged that her strong connections to UConn extend beyond just the Huskies' basketball team.

A year following her appointment as the head coach for UCLA during the 2011-12 campaign, she currently serves as UConn football Coach Jim Mora was appointed as the UCLA Bruins' football coach.

Mora served as the UCLA head coach from 2012 through 2017.

As Close was still honing her skills and starting to guide the Bruins towards the prominence they've achieved this season as a consistent top-four squad—having held the No. 1 ranking longer than any other team—it meant a lot to her that Mora backed her up.

He was one of my friends from UCLA," Close stated. "Our offices were directly next to each other since their backs faced each other. Plus, we always kept better treats. That’s why he used to stop by frequently.

They shared more than just sweets. Close valued that Mora, a renowned and respected football coach, genuinely cared about the success of the women’s program.

I have traveled multiple times with Football, and he has been someone I frequently visited," Close stated. "He used to interact with our prospects. When he was at UCLA, he became a true friend of mine, and his supportive role has persisted even during his time at UConn.

(Chris Dailey, UConn's associate head coach, has mentioned to me that he has approached her multiple times and spoken with them regarding my involvement. Therefore, I am grateful for having someone significant in football who truly cares about other sports, particularly women's basketball.)



Medfield Softball Snags First Season Win with Victory Over Natick

NATICK – Following a sluggish beginning to the season offensively, with only four runs scored in their initial two games, the Medfield Warriors softball squad had to make some changes.

On Thursday, the team had to train indoors because of the weather conditions, yet the Warriors turned it into an advantage.

We had an excellent training session indoors yesterday," Coach Travis Taliaferro from Medfield stated. "Often, many coaches believe such days are unproductive." He added, "We're fortunate that Sluggers Academy is located here in Medfield. We can go straight there after school and accomplish numerous drills that paid off today.

I can't express enough how excited we are to have the opportunity to enter.

The performance within resulted in 23 matches found and ended with an 18-7 victory away from home against Natick on Friday.

The previous encounter between these two squads saw Natick securing a significant away victory when they defeated Medfield with a score of 18-9 back in April.

These players took down our team last year, which made us emphasize saying things like 'Hey, let's head out this Friday and see how everything unfolds.' The weather was pleasant, perfect for playing outside," Taliaferro explained. "Last year they dominated us completely; we weren’t even competitive back then. So today every small victory counts as progress. We aim to bring them onto the field with us, stay engaged throughout the match, and hopefully secure our very first lead of the season.

You need to take these teeny-tiny small steps each time to make progress.

Even though the Warriors ultimately emerged victorious, the Redhawks initially seized the lead in the match.

It was Natick’s ninth batter, Cami Smith, who brought home the game’s initial run by singling in Liesl Niedermeyer.

Smith and Macy Gillis subsequently scored on wild pitches, making the score 3-0 after the bottom of the second inning.

Medfield was prepared to bounce right back. A hit and a few mistakes swiftly provided the Warriors with their initial scoring spree of the game.

Next, consecutive RBI singles from Katie Currie, Ashley Fessenden, and Cate Rodenhi put Medfield ahead for the first time this season.

After one more batter, Lucie Manuel hit a sacrifice fly, making the score 5-3 as they entered the bottom of the third inning.

Despite facing some challenges, the Redhawks managed to bounce back immediately. In the third inning, Niedermeyer and Gillis secured RBIs with their consecutive base hits, bringing the score level again at five.

During the fourth and fifth innings, Natick continued their momentum, scoring one run in each inning to take a 7-5 lead heading into the top of the sixth.

It illustrates how their determination is truly growing," Coach Brenna Keefe from Natick stated. "I believe they never surrendered throughout the game. However, during the final inning, it became quite challenging and momentum began to wane. Nonetheless, their perseverance in the initial six innings met all expectations a coach could have.

However, Medfield wasn't ready to accept just losing closely to Natick.

The Warriors responded with four consecutive hits, tying the match at 7-7. Shortly afterward, Fessenden contributed an additional single to reclaim the lead. Following her, both Rodenhi and Manuel extended Medfield’s advantage; they each hit singles, scoring two runs apiece, which brought the score to 12-7 in favor of Medfield.

At the bottom of the sixth, Natick found it difficult to mount a response. To conclude the frame, Manuel caught the sole Redhawks baserunner, Cami Smith, attempting to extend a hit from a single to a double.

We focused on small plays such as those made by our senior Lucie Manuel; she has also been eagerly anticipating this moment," Taliaferro stated. "Lucie delivered several powerful hits, including a significant stop at left field which boosted team morale greatly. Once we managed that, we found ourselves energized and ready to hit once more.

At the start of the seventh inning, the Warriors immediately resumed their offensive surge, gathering six hits and racking up six runs to bring the score to 18-7, securing their initial victory for the season. During this period, both Sophie Baker and Cate Rodenhi achieved four hits apiece throughout the game.

We frequently discuss children’s capacity to learn and be prepared for their opportunity," Taliaferro stated. "Those two kids had been brought into action by the conclusion of last year; however, if we look back two seasons prior, these same kids were hesitant about making errors. Today, though, they stepped up and embraced their chance.

For these two, it has taken quite some time to grab their moment in the limelight, but they certainly seized it today.

For the Redhawks, this defeat marked their first loss of the season following victories in their initial two matches with scores of 31-8.

I believe the challenge we faced in the past two matches prepared us to anticipate being further along, and I genuinely feel that this serves as a valuable lesson for our team," Coach Keefe stated. Occasionally, mistakes tend to hinder progress; however, I think experiencing these setbacks will help them learn and develop.

I believe the score doesn't match the game I witnessed.

©2025Advance Local Media LLC. Check out News.Diwide|. The content is distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.



3-2！朱婷老东家大逆转 挽救五个赛点 安娃32分+MVP 国际排联惊叹发文

3月17日，意甲女排1/4决赛第二回合上演了一场史诗级对决，朱婷的老东家斯坎迪奇女排在客场先丢两局的情况下，展现惊人韧性，在决胜局挽救五个赛点后，以3-2（19-25、22-25、25-23、25-20、22-20）大逆转布斯托阿斯奇奥女排，总比分2-0晋级四强，这场胜利不仅展现了斯坎迪奇的强大心理素质，也让本赛季最精彩的比赛之一诞生，半决赛中，他们将迎战米兰女排，争夺决赛席位。

本场比赛，斯坎迪奇5人上双，头号得分手安特罗波娃上演统治级表现，轰下32分（61扣27中1拦4发）并且荣膺MVP，赫尔博茨贡献16分（30扣15中，1拦），明加尔迪13分（31扣11中2拦），恩瓦卡勒11分（16扣6中3拦2发），卡罗尔11分（18扣7中4拦）。

而布斯托阿斯奇奥女排方面3人上双，皮瓦拿下25分（41扣23中1拦1发），奥博萨22分（40扣19中3拦），昆兹勒20分（51扣17中1拦2发），虽拼尽全力，仍未能拖入第三回合。

比赛的最大看点无疑是惊心动魄的第五局，从一开局，布斯托阿斯奇奥女排就以7-3占据领先，皮瓦和昆兹勒不断施压，让斯坎迪奇一度陷入绝境。但斯坎迪奇拒绝放弃，安特罗波娃凭借一记ACE将比分追至8-7，达席尔瓦紧接着拦网得分，帮助斯坎迪奇8-8扳平，双方进入比分交替的拉锯战。

皮瓦的连续进攻让布斯托阿斯奇奥女排19-18领先，但安特罗波娃挺身而出，不仅再次追平19-19，还一举反超20-19。布斯托阿斯奇奥拒绝认输，皮瓦再度追至20-20。然而，安特罗波娃关键时刻再度贡献关键分，21-20后更是在赛点上完成关键拦网，22-20锁定胜局！斯坎迪奇女排挽救5个赛点，以最戏剧化的方式，挺进意甲女排四强！

比赛结束后，FIVB国际排联官方也忍不住发文惊叹：“她最爱的‘二号位致命一击’！我们也爱！斯坎迪奇再度杀入意甲半决赛！在本赛季最惊心动魄的比赛之一，斯坎迪奇在决胜局挽救五个赛点，以22-20赢下，成功锁定四强席位。”

随着斯坎迪奇女排的晋级，将在半决赛迎战米兰女排，这将是一场巨星云集的较量，面对同样实力强劲的对手，斯坎迪奇能否延续今日的逆袭气势，再进一步，让我们拭目以待！

本赛季意甲女排四强情况已出3席：科内利亚诺，米兰，斯坎迪奇。诺瓦拉女排和基耶里女排则将于3月20日进行第三回合的较量，胜者将获得四强门票。



Charlotte Wilson Claims Gold in Dual Moguls at Olympic Test Event

Charlotte Wilson has crowned her impressive inaugural season by securing her very first FIS World Cup gold medal on the Olympic course in Livigno, Italy.

Exactly 24 hours following her recognition as the FIS Freestyle Moguls Rookie of the Year for this season, Wilson amazed everyone by defeating some of the top competitors in the dual moguls event.

Wilson stated to the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA) that it still hasn’t registered with him.

What a remarkable day and what an extraordinary sensation.

Wilson's path to triumph couldn’t have been more challenging, as she had to face the top three highest-ranked women on this year’s circuit in consecutive one-on-one encounters.

After eliminating French legend Perrine Laffont in the semifinals and Japanese skier Rino Yanagimoto in the quarterfinals, Wilson defeated overall World Cup champion Jaelin Kauf with a score of 22-13 in the finals.

"As I mentioned before, I was hoping to maintain the momentum from yesterday into today, and I truly believe we succeeded in doing so," she stated.

I planned to put in my greatest effort. Such chances don't come around frequently.

It was wild trying to even stay in touch with Jaelin, not to mention winning.

For the first time, dual moguls will be held at the Winter Olympics next year in Livigno. This World Cup stop will serve as a trial run for that event.

Given that last year’s Crystal Globe victor and current Olympic champion Jakara Anthony remains sidelined due to injury, Wilson’s win indicates that the next generation of Australian moguls skiing is thriving right now.

"It provides a great morale boost heading into the new year," Wilson stated.

Secured a spot in the top-10 yesterday and grabbed a victory today, the coming 11 months will demand intense effort, yet I'm quite fond of the location. Next year is poised to be amazing.

In the men's competition, Matt Graham couldn't participate in the dual moguls following a severe crash during the singles event the previous day.

Graham managed to reach the top-six final but had a severe crash on the middle mogul segment, which left him Winded.

"I unfortunately took quite a fall during the medal round yesterday," he shared on Instagram.

Following the episode where I coughed up blood, I required imaging tests to ensure all was intact.

Happily, there are no significant issues and all remains undamaged.

Simply some blood seepage and contusions in my lungs along with overall discomfort from the collision.

You could anticipate that when you bring in a mogul traveling at 40 km/h.

At the Beijing Olympics, Cooper Woods achieved his finest performance for the year, coming in fifth. He was narrowly edged out by Canadian icon Mikaël Kingsbury, who secured his 99th World Cup win.

Graham is anticipated to fully recover in time for the World Championships in St Moritz, starting from March 17.

Up next on the Olympic schedule, the aerials team will take center stage on Thursday evening AEDT.

Australian Laura Peel tops the overall rankings and must secure at least a 12th-place finish to clinch the overall championship.



India Women's Hockey Captain: 'Our Play Will Repay Hockey India'

New Delhi [India], March 16 (ANI): The captain of the Indian women's team Salima Tete was honored at the 7th Hockey India Awards were presented to her on Saturday following her team's victory and winning the gold medal at the Women's Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024 held in Rajgir, Bihar, the previous year.

She conveyed her thanks to Hockey India At the federation's 7th Annual Awards ceremony, highlighting the players' duty to excel in their performances.

" Hockey India She said they are putting in tremendous effort for us, and we must reciprocate by performing excellently. "We promise to give our absolute best in each tournament," she stated to ANI.

When discussing the importance of the awards ceremony, Tete emphasized that it acts as an inspiration for the athletes participating and for the aspiring youngsters who watch it.

"This yearly event serves as excellent inspiration for us and for the children observing it live. Receiving an accolade happens only once in a lifetime, so I wish to extend my congratulations to all the recipients. This honor isn’t bestowed upon everybody—it’s a testament to their dedication and effort," she stated.

The Hockey India The 7th Annual Awards ceremony took place in New Delhi on March 15, gathering India's hockey community. The National Federation honored the nation’s top hockey players, officials, and legendary figures for their significant contributions to the sport and for bringing glory to the country, as stated in an official statement. Hockey India .

The significance of this year’s awards was heightened as they marked both the centennial celebration of Indian hockey by the governing body and the 50th anniversary of India’s legendary 1975 World Cup win. In honor of these milestones, Hockey India honored the players from the winning 1975 World Cup team Hockey India The Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award comes with a cash prize of INR 50 lakhs.

The memorable night witnessed prominent figures from Indian hockey gather and showcased an unprecedented prize fund of INR 12 crore, marking the largest in the sport’s history. Hockey India Annual Awards.

At the peak of the evening’s accolades, Savita and Harmanpreet Singh were recognised as the Hockey India The Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year 2024 recipients in the women's and men's categories, respectively.

The awards ceremony kicked off by celebrating India’s notable achievement from 2024—the country securing a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Members of the Indian Men's Hockey Team were honored with a shawl along with an individual prize of ₹15 lakhs, whereas reserve players got ₹5 lakhs each, and the coaching and supporting team received ₹7.5 lakhs per person for their efforts and dedication.

In the second group, eight states received recognition for their crucial contribution to advancing hockey and their exceptional achievements during the 14th competition. Hockey India In the National Championships 2024, teams from Hockey Haryana, Hockey Jharkhand, Hockey Association of Odisha, Hockey Madhya Pradesh, Hockey Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh Hockey, and Hockey Punjab claimed medals in different sections of the competition. Each team was presented with an award check worth INR 10 lakhs for their outstanding performances.

At the same time, the Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu received the accolade of Best Member Unit of the Year 2024 due to their significant contributions towards transforming grassroots hockey via the inception of India’s inaugural statewide school hockey league—the Tamil Nadu School Hockey League. This pioneering effort included participation from 8 regions, encompassing 306 educational institutions with more than 5,500 participants engaging in over 500 games across approximately 45 locations, marking an important advancement for the game within the country.

The Indian men's and women's hockey teams were awarded INR 2.28 crore and INR 1.41 crore, respectively, as bonuses. These amounts encompassed a payment of INR 50,000 per player and INR 25,000 per support staff member for each international game victory.

In the Personal Accomplishment Honors, Harmanpreet Singh received a prize of INR 10 lakh for being named the FIH Men's Player of the Year 2024 at the FIH Hockey Star Awards 2024, along with an extra INR 1 lakh for his outstanding play during the Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 held in Hulunbuir City, China.

PR Sreejesh got INR 5 lakhs for receiving the title of FIH Men's Goalkeeper of the Year 2024. Deepika earned INR 1 lakh apiece for securing both the top goalscorer position and best player award at the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 held in Rajgir, plus an additional INR 1 lakh for leading the goal-scoring chart at the Junior Women's Asia Cup 2024 in Muscat, Oman.

Araijeet Singh Hundal was awarded INR 1 lakh for being named the Player of the Tournament at the Junior Men's Asia Cup 2024 held in Muscat, Oman.

The Milestone Awards 2024 celebrated remarkable accomplishments in global hockey. Boby Singh Dhami, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, and Sakshi Rana each earned an award of ₹100,000 for netting their first goals in an international game. Jarmanpreet Singh and Shamsher Singh were granted ₹100,000 apiece for achieving 100 international appearances. Meanwhile, Vivek Sagar Prasad and Sumit received awards worth ₹150,000 each for attaining 150 international matches under their belts. Amit Rohidas secured a prize of ₹200,000 for participating in his 200th international match, whereas Sushila Chanu was feted with ₹250,000 for her participation in her landmark 250th international contest.

The champions of the Men's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 held in Hulunbuir City, China, as well as those from the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 in Rajgir, Bihar, were awarded INR 3 lakhs for each player and INR 1.5 lakhs for every member of the support staff. In contrast, the victorious teams at both the Junior Men’s Asia Cup 2024 and the upcoming Junior Women’s Asia Cup 2025 earned INR 2 lakhs per player and INR 1 lakh per support staff member for their accomplishments.

In the meantime, the last classification within this category is Hockey India The Annual Awards 2024 commenced with Ripudaman Sharma emerging as the winner. Hockey India President Award for Umpire/Umpires Manager of the Year 2024 and received an honorarium of INR 2.5 lakh. Anil Kumar P K was bestowed this recognition. Hockey India President's Award for Technical Official of the Year 2024, along with an INR 2.5 lakh prize.

The Hockey India The President's Award for Exceptional Success in 2024 went to the Beighton Cup Hockey Tournament, receiving an award of INR 5 lakhs. Furthermore, the Hockey India The Jaman Lal Sharma Award for Invaluable Contribution 2024 was bestowed upon Prasar Bharati, India's national public broadcasting company, which serves as the official channel for theHero. Hockey India The League 2024-25 has played a key part in broadening the league’s presence throughout India and internationally.

The award ceremony witnessed Savita securing the esteemed Hockey India The Baljit Singh Award for Goalkeeper of the Year 2024 went to Savita, who received INR 5 lakh plus a trophy. As a key player on the Indian women’s national hockey team, she played an essential role in their achievements, marking this as her second consecutive Goalkeeper of the Year honor.

Amit Rohidas, acknowledged as one of the globe’s top first rushers, claimed victory Hockey India Pargat Singh Award for Best Defender 2024, receives INR 5 lakh.

Hardik Singh, who had previously secured both the Men's Player of the Year and Midfielder of the Year accolades, has now added another title to his achievements. Hockey India The Ajit Pal Singh Award for Midfielder of the Year 2024, which includes a prize of INR 5 lakh.

At the same time, Abhishek, an essential player in India's attacking lineup, kept his position. Hockey India The Dhanraj Pillay Award for Forward of the Year, which includes INR 5 lakh and a trophy as recognition.

Deepika along with Aarjeet Singh Hundal, who experienced significant success with both their junior and senior squads during the year, claimed the championships. Hockey India The Asunta Lakra Award for Emerging Female Player of the Year 2024 (Under-21) Hockey India The Jugraj Singh Award for Emerging Male Player of the Year 2024 (Under-21) was presented to them, with each recipient receiving INR 10 lakhs along with a trophy. This marked Araijeet's second successive time winning the title of Emerging Male Player of the Year.

Savita, having recently achieved her 300th international cap and playing a crucial role in the Indian women's hockey team's achievements, has now claimed her third. Hockey India The Balbir Singh Senior Award for Player of the Year 2024 went to a woman player. Simultaneously, the present captain of the Indian men’s team, who guided India to a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics as well as multiple significant wins, secured his second consecutive Senior Player of the Year accolade. This athlete had previously been bestowed this honor during the 4th Annual Awards ceremony in 2021. Each awardee was presented with INR 25 lakhs along with a commemorative trophy.

At a crucial juncture, the 1975 World Cup-winning squad was feted for their achievements. Hockey India The Major Dhyan Chand Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024 has been announced with a prize of INR 50 lakh. Distinguished former athletes who graced the event were Leslie Fernandez, Onkar Singh, Ashok Diwan, B P Govinda, Kaliah P E, Brigadier HJS Chimni, V J Phillips (who was the top scorer in the tournament), Ashok Kumar, Aslam Sher Khan, and Brigadier Harcharan Singh.

Ashok Kumar accepted the accolade on behalf of team leader Ajit Pal Singh, with Chanchal Randhawa (the widow of the late Surjit Singh), Naveen Pawar (the son of the late Shivaji Pawar), Satpal Singh (the brother of the late Mohinder Singh), Manjeet Kaur (the wife of the late Varinder Singh), and Sheela Kindo (the spouse of the late Michael Kindo) all attending this significant event. (ANI)

Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).


Alex de Minaur and Coco Gauff Outmatched in Shock Exits at Indian Wells

Alex de Minaur suffered a straight-sets loss against Argentine 25th seed Francisco Cerúndolo with scores of 7-5, 6-3 at the Indian Wells tournament.

The player currently ranked tenth globally and ninth in California hasn’t managed to reach the quarterfinals at Indian Wells, which is frequently referred to as the fifth major tournament.

De Minaur defeated the Argentine in four sets at the Australian Open earlier this year , however, his mistake-filled display led to his downfall after just one hour and fifty minutes.

The individual aged 26 made 39 unforced mistakes in a performance that was unusually inconsistent.

"I'm extremely delighted. I anticipated this would be quite a challenge today," Cerúndolo stated.

Alex is an incredible player and a real competitor. He’s been enjoying some fantastic seasons, ranking among the top ten players, and we had quite a contest in Australia which he won. However, today I faced another match and seized this new chance; I believe I performed exceptionally.

I'm extremely delighted to have defeated a top-notch opponent and advanced to the quarterfinals at Indian Wells.

In another part of the competition, Ben Shelton made history as the youngest American male player since Andy Roddick in 2004 to advance to the quarter-finals at Indian Wells, defeating Brandon Nakashima in consecutive sets.

In the second set of his 7-6 (6), 6-1 win, the 22-year-old Shelton dominated. Following an initial set that lasted 61 minutes, he quickly built up a commanding 5-0 lead in only 20 minutes during the decisive set.

The 11th-seeded Shelton hasn't dropped a set in five career matches against Nakashima, a 23-year-old American.

In the women’s competition, third-seeded Coco Gauff faced an unexpected defeat in the round of 16 against unseeded player Belinda Bencic. The 28-year-old wildcard participant from Switzerland staged a comeback to win with scores of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.


In return for her win at the Australian Open in January where she came back after losing the initial set, Bencic defeated Gaolf afterwards.
(Note: There seems to be an error with "Gaolf" as this does not match correctly with either names provided; I've kept it consistent with your original input.)

The loss occurred just one day prior to Gauff's 21st birthday, with the 2023 US Open winner being broken at 4-4 in the last set despite leading 40-0 earlier.

Throughout the tournament, Gauff faced difficulties with her serves and recorded eight double faults against Bencic, compared to only four aces.

Australian Open winner Madison Keys The fifth-seed player made a comeback with a 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-3 win against the 19th-seeded Donna Vekić.

The 30-year-old U.S. player stretched her consecutive wins to 15 matches after falling behind 5-3 and facing two match points in the second set.

Lead player Aryna Sabalenka easily secured a win with a score of 6-1, 6-2 against Sonay Kartal, who was up against someone ranked within the top 10 for the very first time.

Jack Draper from Britain defeated Taylor Fritz, the three-time seeded American and former champion at Indian Wells, with scores of 7-5, 6-4.

AP/ABC



Athapaththu's 64* and Madara's 3-Wicket Debut Lead Sri Lanka to Victory

In her debut match, right-arm fast bowler Malki Madara put up a commendable performance with figures of 3 for 14, while captain Chamari Athapaththu scored an undefeated 64 runs from just 48 deliveries. As a result, Sri Lanka Women achieved a convincing 7-wicket win against New Zealand Women in the inaugural T20 international held in Christchurch yesterday.

This marked Sri Lanka's inaugural T20I triumph in New Zealand and their second success against the White Ferns in this format.

New Zealand chose to bat first but found it difficult to gain traction as Sri Lanka’s bowlers maintained control over their innings, eventually dismissing them for 101 runs in 18.5 overs. In response, the visiting team reached the target swiftly in only 14.1 overs, thanks largely to Athapaththu who set the pace with an impressive performance, hitting 9 boundaries and 2 sixes during her winning effort.

Vishmi Gunaratne, a young opening batsman, was quickly sent back to the pavilion after scoring just 7 runs from 11 deliveries, as fast bowler Jess Kerr gave New Zealand an early advantage. Nevertheless, Athapaththu assumed control and steered her side to triumph, ensuring a 1-0 series edge with 35 balls remaining.

Initially, Emma McLeod led New Zealand with the highest score. She scored an impressive 44 runs from 46 deliveries, including three boundaries, before being declared the last out when debutante Madara concluded their innings. Captain Suzie Bates (21 off 14) was the sole other player to achieve a two-digit tally among the home team members.

Sri Lanka began with two spinners, Sugandika Kumari and Inoshi Priyadharshani, before bringing in Madara as their fourth bowler. Madara made an impact during her 3.5-over spell, while Kavisha Dilhari (2/18) and Priyadharshani (2/25) offered strong backing. The wicketkeeper, Anushka Sanjeewani, performed exceptionally well behind the stumps, executing three dismissals.

During her T20I debut, Madara earned the title of Player of the Match, whereas Manudi Nanayakkara, who leads Sri Lanka’s under-19 team, also played her first match at the senior level in this game.

The two squads will face each other once more in the second T20I on Sunday (16) at the same location.

Chief scores

New Zealand Women’s 101 runs scored in just 18.5 overs by Suzie Bates with 21 points, Emma McLeod scoring 44, Jess Kerr contributing 10; meanwhile, Sugandika Kumari took 1 for 16, Inoshi Priyadharshini claimed 2 wickets for 25, Malki Madara secured 3 for 14, Chamari Athapaththu got 1 for 10, and Kavisha Dilhari achieved 2 for 18.

Sri Lanka Women’s Chamari Athapaththu scored 64*, Kavisha Dilhari got 12 runs, and Nilakshika Silva contributed with 12* as they chased down 102 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in 14.1 overs. Jess Kerr took 2 wickets conceding only 18 runs.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. Syndigate.info ).


Football: Fujino Scores as Chelsea Clinches Women's League Cup Title

Japan player Aoba Fujino found the equalizer for Manchester City, however, an own goal by her fellow countrywoman Yui Hasegawa turned out to be crucial as Chelsea secured a 2-1 win in the English Women's League Cup final on Saturday.

In the 64th minute at Derby's Pride Park, Fujino leveled the score with an impressive individual effort. She embarked on a lengthy run through the opposing half, entered the penalty area, and struck the ball into the near post.

However, Hasegawa managed to score from a cross sent in by Mayra Ramirez, who had scored the opening goal for Chelsea with a close-range effort just eight minutes into the game. In the 77th minute, Hasegawa redirected the ball past Manchester City’s goalkeeper, Ayaka Yamashita, from Japan, into the back of the net.

Maika Hamano, an attacker from Nadeshiko Japan, entered the game as a substitute for Chelsea at the 74-minute mark and helped secure their hold on the trophy.