Erin Achenbach Articles - Page 34

USC’s standout player, JuJu Watkins, has equaled a Pac-12 record by being named Freshman of the Week for the eighth time this season. This achievement puts her on par with Cal’s Kristine Anigwe, who set the record in 2016. The only week Watkins did not win the freshman award was the week of Dec. 18, […]

As the 2023-2024 season of NCAA women’s basketball continues, a new wave of underclassmen (and some juniors) are making a name for themselves in the sport. In this editorial, we take a closer look at the top 10 current underclassmen and juniors, like JuJu Watkins and MiLaysia Fulwiley, highlighting their achievements and projecting their potential […]

In a move to stabilize their franchise, the Los Angeles Sparks are moving forward to hire Raegan Pebley as their new general manager. The decision comes after a period of significant turnover in the position, with the Sparks expressing confidence that Pebley is the right choice to lead the team forward. Pebley takes over the […]

Blending sports and politics, Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis began his CNN town hall in Des Moines, Iowa, on Thursday with an unusual gesture towards host Kaitlan Collins. DeSantis, known for his often unorthodox approaches, presented Collins with a basketball jersey bearing the name of Caitlin Clark, the star player for Iowa women’s basketball. The […]

In what could be considered prophetic insight, South Carolina women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley’s expectations for guard Te-Hina Paopao’s shooting came to fruition as the Gamecocks overpowered the Florida Gators in a stunning 89-66 victory. The Southeastern Conference opener marked a significant milestone for the top-ranked Gamecocks, who now boast an impressive 13-0 undefeated streak […]

The recent eight-year deal between NCAA and ESPN, injecting an estimated $65 million annually into women’s basketball, has been hailed as a significant step forward for the sport. Key figures like UConn coach Geno Auriemma and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley have praised this development, emphasizing the potential for a revenue-sharing program similar to men’s […]

USC women’s basketball prodigy JuJu Watkins has been making a noticable impact both on and off the court. As one of the top scorers in college basketball, Watkins averages an impressive 26.8 points per game, ranking her second nationally behind Caitlin Clark’s 31.5 points per game. Her extraordinary performance propelled USC’s program to its highest […]

Baylor women’s basketball coach Nicki Collen and her sixth-ranked Bears experienced a wave of emotions in their inaugural game at the new Foster Pavilion, echoing the victories they used to celebrate in their former field house. Their opening game in the new arena was marked by a commanding 71-50 victory over No. 23 TCU, in […]

U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff, the U.S. Open champion, continued her impressive run at the Auckland Tennis Classic on Thursday, advancing to the quarterfinals after a 6-3, 6-0 win over Czech teenager Brenda Fruhvirtova. Fruhvirtova, known for her aggressive style, started the match strong, breaking Gauff’s serve in the early stages. However, Gauff quickly regained […]

The NWSL’s reigning champions, NJ/NY Gotham FC, has fortified their team by securing USWNT stars Rose Lavelle and Emily Sonnett. Both players inked three-year contracts with the reigning champions, Gotham FC, as announced on Thursday. Lavelle and Sonnett, celebrated winners of the Women’s World Cup, are transitioning to Gotham from OL Reign, where they competed […]

In a recent match that saw the UConn women’s basketball team continue their dominant run against top-tier opponents, an all-too-familiar adversary struck again: injuries. The Huskies, already operating with a reduced roster of 10 players, faced a significant setback when Aubrey Griffin, a key contributor, suffered a knee injury during their game against Creighton on […]

Iowa women’s basketball star player Caitlin Clark has become a focal point for sports commentators, even those who seldom engage with the sport. Her recent on-court spectacle, nailing a long-range buzzer-beater against Michigan State on Tuesday, not only highlighted why she is one of the top players in the country, but also sparked a media […]

The NCAA announced a massive eight-year, $920 million agreement with ESPN on Thursday. The deal, averaging $115 million annually, will cover 40 college sports championships each year, including the increasingly popular Division I women’s basketball tournament. The announcement ends years of speculation about the NCAA’s strategy to leverage the growing fanbase in women’s sports, especially […]

In a groundbreaking move for women’s soccer, the Bhathal family, known for their investments in the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, have officially acquired the NWSL’s Portland Thorns as of Wednesday. The acquisition, made through RAJ Sports, was finalized at $63 million, as revealed by a source close to the deal, per the Associated Press. This source, […]

In a recent development for South Carolina women’s basketball, head coach Dawn Staley has expressed confidence in the recovery of Adhel Tac, a promising high school talent, from a knee injury. Tac, a 6-foot-5 prospect from Texas, endured a season-ending knee injury in November but is set to join the Gamecocks for the upcoming spring […]

Naomi Osaka’s return to elite tennis at the Brisbane International, her first tournament since motherhood, ended with a second-round defeat against three-time champion Karolina Pliskova on Monday. Despite this, Osaka’s performance, particularly in her winning straight sets against Tamara Korpatsch, shows promise as she gears up for the Australian Open in Melbourne, set to start […]

The UConn women’s basketball team’s recent victory over Marquette on Dec. 31 showcased the depth and versatility of their roster. While Paige Bueckers’ 25 points were impressive, it was senior point guard Nika Muhl who stole the show, earning praise from both Bueckers and coach Geno Auriemma. In the 95-64 win, Muhl not only secured […]

In the world of sports, actions on the field can often spark as much conversation as the gameplay itself. LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese recently brought to light a disparity in the portrayal of similar celebratory moves by two athletes, Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and Memphis Grizzlies point guard Ja Morant, by Barstool Sports. […]

In a twist of fate, British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu has been handed a golden ticket to the main draw of this year’s Australian Open following the withdrawal of Lauren Davis due to injury. The opportunity comes as a beacon of hope for Raducanu, whose challenging year saw her WTA ranking plummet to 308 after […]

In a controversial finish that had social media and sports personalities buzzing, South Carolina women’s basketball Dawn Staley criticized the officiating after Caitlin Clark’s dramatic game-winner pushed Iowa women’s basketball to a 76-73 victory over Michigan State on Tuesday. Clark, synonymous with excellence in college basketball, led her team with a staggering 40 points, capping […]

Caitlin Clark, the standout star of Iowa women’s basketball, made history with a viral logo game-winner against Michigan State on Tuesday, solidifying her name in the record books. The remarkable shot came right at the buzzer and secured a 76-73 victory for Iowa. It was Clark’s 10th 40-point game of her career and broke a […]

Nike’s Jordan Brand has introduced a new exclusive sneaker designed specifically for WNBA players, the Air Jordan 4 “First Class,” revealed by the brand’s senior designer Kelsey Amy. The latest design is tailored for the best women in basketball, with a colorway that features a palette of soft mint and seafoam greens, with darker green […]

U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff started her 2024 season with a solid yet challenging victory at the Auckland Classic on Tuesday. Facing fellow American Claire Liu, Gauff emerged victorious with a 6-4, 6-2 scoreline, although not without some initial struggles. Gauff, known for her powerful forehand, initially struggled to find her range, particularly in the […]

British tennis sensation Emma Raducanu made a remarkable comeback to competitive tennis at the Auckland Classic on Monday, securing a hard-fought victory against world No. 134 Elena-Gabriela Ruse. This marked Raducanu’s return after an eight-month hiatus, with a scoreline of 6-3, 4-6, 7-5. Raducanu, who had a challenging 2023 due to injuries that required surgeries […]

UConn women’s basketball star player Paige Bueckers is redefining her role on the court. After enduring injuries that sidelined her for most of the past two seasons, Bueckers, now a junior, is embracing a significant shift in her basketball career. Known primarily as a point guard, she’s now making her mark as a forward. This […]

The Syracuse women’s basketball team, led by coach Felisha Legette-Jack, has made a significant leap in national recognition, securing a spot in the Top 25 on Monday for the first time since 2021. “Carolina is next then Boston College, which lost to Duke at Duke by five,” Legette-Jack said, via Doug Feinberg of the Associated […]

New York defender Ella Shelton made history by scoring the first goal in the inaugural game of the PWHL, leading her team to a 4-0 victory over Toronto. This landmark event took place at the Maple Leaf Gardens, now the Mattamy Athletic Centre, and was witnessed by a sold-out crowd of 2,537 fans, signifying a […]

Expanding on our preview of the 2024 NCAA women’s basketball conference play, the stage is set for an exciting second half of the season where powerhouses and emerging contenders alike vie for the title. The South Carolina women’s basketball team, with their undefeated streak and a ranking of No. 1 nationally, are a force to […]

As the festive cheers fade and the NCAA women’s college basketball season resumes post-Christmas break, the top 10 teams find themselves at a crucial juncture. It’s a time of reflection and recalibration, where the path to a title is not just about maintaining momentum, but also about addressing emerging challenges and harnessing new opportunities. This […]

American skiing sensation Mikaela Shiffrin concluded the year with an historic win at the World Cup slalom race in Lienz. Dominating the field, Shiffrin clinched her 93rd career victory on Friday, marking it by a staggering margin of 2.34 seconds. The victory underscores her consistency, as it was her seventh win in the last eight […]

Naomi Osaka, the celebrated four-time Grand Slam champion, recently spoke about how becoming a mother has altered her outlook, particularly as she prepares for a major comeback at the Australian Open. After her last competitive appearance at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo in late September 2022, Osaka took a hiatus following the birth of […]

As the inaugural season of the PWHL starting on New Year’s Day, all eyes are on Kendall Coyne Schofield, the former U.S. captain and three-time Olympian, who is set to redefine her career with the Minnesota team. Schofield, 31, will be balancing motherhood and professional hockey, a sport where her return was once questioned. “When […]

With the 2024 WNBA draft just a few months away, all eyes are on Iowa women’s basketball star guard Caitlin Clark as she deliberates whether to enter the draft or stay for another year with the Hawkeyes. The basketball community is abuzz with anticipation over Clark’s decision, which she has described as a “win-win” situation. […]

In a surprising turn of events, the No. 5 Texas women’s basketball team claimed a decisive 97-52 victory over Jackson State on Wednesday night, despite the absence of their junior point guard, Rori Harmon. The team was already coping with the loss of senior forward Taylor Jones due to a hip injury, but Harmon’s unexpected […]

As the countdown to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics begins, women’s flag football is not just entering the scene, it’s exploding in popularity. Spearheaded by pioneers like Jo Overstreet, a standout flag football player from Texas, the sport is transitioning from a casual pastime to an international sensation. The once overlooked sport has gained new […]

In an unexpected turn of events, PWHL Minnesota franchise head coach Charlie Burggraf has resigned, just a week shy of the team’s inaugural game, and the start of the PWHL season on Jan. 1. The team announced that former NHL defenseman Ken Klee will take over the reins as the new head coach. Burggraf’s departure […]

WNBA greats Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi are set to host an ESPN alt-cast of the Christmas Day NBA game between the Milwaukee Bucks and New York Knicks. The special event, named “The Bird & Taurasi Show,” marks a collaboration between the basketball stars and Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions, the team behind the popular “Manningcast” […]

Louisiana native and rapper Lil Wayne shared some important advice with LSU women’s basketball star Angel Reese recently. Known affectionately as “Bayou Barbie,” Reese has become a prominent figure in NCAA basketball. However, her journey hasn’t been devoid of challenges, most recently her four-game absence this season. Lil Wayne, familiar with the pressures of early […]

Rebecca Welch has made history in the English Premier League as its first female referee, officiating the recent Fulham-Burnley match on Saturday. The significant event, hailed as a “milestone moment” by Burnley manager Vincent Kompany, marks a transformative step in the realm of football refereeing. Welch’s journey to this point began in 2010, balancing her role […]