Erin Achenbach Articles - Page 38

In a debut that will be etched in USC women’s basketball lore, guard JuJu Watkins delivered an explosive performance that has the world of college basketball abuzz on social media. Watkins, in her very first collegiate game, powered the No. 21 USC Trojans to an electrifying 83-74 victory over the No. 7 Ohio State Buckeyes. […]

As the 2023-24 NCAA women’s basketball season tips off, the excitement is palpable. Every team holds a clean slate, with aspirations of dominance and victory. In this atmosphere of high hopes and anticipation, top-25 rankings position the teams with LSU leading the charge, marking a historic moment for the program. Let’s dive into the current […]

LSU women’s basketball phenom Angel Reese is set to dominate headlines once more as the NCAA 2023-24 season beckons. The Baltimore native, whose on-court prowess and off-court charisma have catapulted her into the spotlight, has set the stage for a sensational senior year that could further engrave her name in the annals of college basketball […]

As the basketball season approaches, the spotlight shines on a key player in women’s college basketball: Caitlin Clark. After an outstanding previous season that propelled the Iowa Hawkeyes to the brink of NCAA triumph, Clark is not merely returning; she aims to elevate her game to unprecedented heights. Here are our bold predictions for Caitlin […]

Laila Edwards, a forward for the University of Wisconsin’s Badgers, is poised to make history as the first African-American to skate for the U.S. Women’s Senior National Hockey Team. The monumental occasion is set for the Rivalry Series against Canada, with the faceoff scheduled for Wednesday, Jon Morosi reported on Twitter. History: @laila_edwards21 of @BadgerWHockey […]

In an unexpected turn of events, Emma Hayes is set to leave her position at Chelsea Women at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season to take the helm of the USWNT. Insiders privy to the selection process disclosed this information on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to make the details public, as […]

The MLB off-season is heating up, and the New York Mets are reportedly at the front of the pack to sign Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a pitching star straight from Japan’s baseball leagues. Last year, the international market buzzed about Kodai Senga and Masataka Yoshida, but this time, Yamamoto is the one grabbing the headlines. The 24-year-old […]

In the wake of their exhilarating World Series victory, the Texas Rangers are not resting on their laurels. They are actively pursuing top free agents to ensure the triumph is a foundation, not a finale, with pitcher Aaron Nola and closer Josh Hader as their top targets to fortify a burgeoning dynasty. As teams converge […]

The sting of the Philadelphia Phillies’ loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLCS lingers, but the front office isn’t wallowing. With an eye toward future success and a World Series title, the Phillies are reportedly targeting free agent Blake Snell to replace ace Aaron Nola, who is likely on his way out after contract […]

As the San Diego Padres look to cut their payroll by $50 million this winter, all eyes are on Juan Soto, whose hefty anticipated $33 million salary in arbitration has sparked rumors of a possible trade. Despite the financial strain, evidenced by a $50 million loan the Padres required in September just to meet payroll, […]

As OL Reign advances toward the NWSL Championship, their success is not solely a product of physical training but also a strategic emphasis on mental strength, a dimension that has historically been underutilized in women’s soccer. Forward Bethany Balcer highlighted the turning point in her career when she recognized the significance of mental fitness after […]

As the dust settles on their WNBA championship celebrations, Las Vegas Aces Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young are preparing to don the red, white, and blue for Team USA women’s basketball in a series of high-profile exhibition games. The Aces secured their league supremacy with a dramatic win at the Barclays Center on Oct. 19, […]

Gotham FC’s Jenna Nighswonger is redefining the role of a fullback in the NWSL, under the guidance of head coach Juan Carlos Amoros. The former Florida State forward, who was initially drafted as a potential threat up top, has settled into the fullback position, embracing an attack-focused style of play that has become a hallmark […]

The tension is mounting as OL Reign heads to San Diego for a semifinals clash with the Wave FC this Sunday. The Seattle-based team is determined to break its streak of near-misses and claim the NWSL championship that has eluded the team, despite making the playoffs every year since 2019. With the stakes high, this […]

The NWSL is gearing up for a season of change and growth in 2024. With the addition of two new clubs, Bay FC and Utah Royals FC, the league is set to expand to 14 total teams. and the stage is set for the 2024 NWSL expansion draft on Dec. 15, a key date for […]

In a landmark move for international women’s basketball, ex-WNBA player Liz Cambage has struck a $1 million deal with the Sichuan Yuanda Merlot, marking a significant shift in the athlete’s career. This three-month contract with the Chinese team eclipses the earning potential of a WNBA Supermax contract, which is currently capped at $234,936 per season. […]

In an innovative move, the Toronto Raptors have teamed up with Canada Basketball and Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment  to elevate the profile of Canadian women’s basketball on the international stage as they prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The initiative, announced Nov. 1, sees the Raptors’ iconic imagery prominently featured on the uniforms of […]

The unity among Women’s Tennis Association players is more palpable than ever as they press for tour reforms that prioritize their well-being, including requests for a structured maternity leave policy and better injury absence coverage. Top-ranked athletes, including Iga Swiatek, have voiced their dissatisfaction with current WTA Tour policies. After her second round-robin victory at […]

The basketball court isn’t the only place where New York Liberty star guard Sabrina Ionescu is making her mark. The hardwood has been a showcase for something other than slam dunks and three-pointers lately: Ionescu’s Nike signature sneakers, the Sabrina 1s. These kicks are making waves well beyond the WNBA, catching the attention of NBA […]

For many high school athletes, the leap to college sports is a pivotal transition filled with anticipation and new challenges. For Aaliyah Gayles, the transition to the University of Southern California in the fall of 2022 was marked not just by a step up in competition but also a miraculous recovery that defies the odds. […]

After a year sidelined with a devastating knee injury, Ice Brady is on the verge of making her long-awaited debut for the UConn women’s basketball team. The freshman standout was two weeks shy of her first collegiate game when a practice mishap resulted in a dislocated patella, a blow that not only ended her season […]

The University of South Carolina women’s basketball team is taking on a challenge against Notre Dame in a unique setting: Paris. For the first time, a regular-season NCAA women’s basketball game will be played on French soil, and for South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley, this event is a mix of business, pioneering […]

In a response to the rising mental health challenges in soccer, USWNT stars Sophia Smith and Naomi Girma have pledged their support to “Create the Space,” a new mental health initiative aiming to address these issues head-on. Launched in the wake of personal losses, this initiative draws on the collective strength of top soccer players […]

Aaliyah Gayles, the USC women’s basketball guard, carries her history on her skin, with tattoos that narrate a story of survival, resilience and determination. Each piece of ink reflects a chapter of her life, including a harrowing event that tested her strength and willpower. On her left shoulder, a tattoo records the time 11:52 p.m., […]

In the aftermath of a senseless act of violence that shook the Las Vegas community, standout high school basketball star Aaliyah Gayles faced the most challenging opponent of her life — not on the court, but in her fight to recover from the 18 gunshot wounds sustained in her arms and legs during a shooting […]

After a turnaround season, Becki Tweed has shed the interim label to become the permanent head coach of Angel City FC, as confirmed by the team on Thursday. “I’m really proud to be staying with Angel City,” Tweed said in a press release from Angel City FC. “I am most excited to have the opportunity […]

Fans in Portland had their hopes dashed as WNBA expansion plans to the city fell through, but women’s basketball fans will appreciate New York Liberty star player Sabrina Ionescu’s take on an expansion team to the Rose City. In an event held Oct. 30 for the unveiling of a new basketball court at the Regence […]

Fresh off a repeat victory in the WNBA Finals, Las Vegas Aces point guard Chelsea Gray had even bigger news to share. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Halloween, Gray announced that she and her wife, Tipesa, are expecting their first child. The celebratory post featured a loving gaze over Tipesa’s shoulder and a baby […]

Years after witnessing the San Antonio Spurs’ triumphant 2014 NBA championship, former Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon has found similar glory and teamwork in the Las Vegas Aces, leading them to back-to-back WNBA championships. The Spurs of 2013-14 were renowned for their play and a determination to redeem themselves after a heartbreaking loss in the […]

Anticipated renovations at Moda Center have emerged as the central obstacle leading to the collapse of Portland’s bid for a WNBA expansion team. WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, in a letter to Sen. Ron Wyden on Wednesday, confirmed that the league’s plans for a team in the City of Roses have been “deferred,” despite previous indications […]

Erica Wheeler, point guard for the Indiana Fever, has paved her way to becoming the highest-paid player in the WNBA for the 2023 season. In doing so, Wheeler also secured significant time off. At 32, Wheeler has decided to take a break from her overseas basketball commitments this winter. The Fever supported her decision with […]

It’s not every day that a college athlete captivates the nation, but Caitlin Clark, the star point guard for the Iowa Hawkeyes, has managed to do just that. Amidst the overwhelming attention and a flurry of events, Clark remains grounded, sharing an honest outlook on her rise to fame. “This has been my dream,” Clark […]

In an unprecedented move, the Kansas City Current signed 15-year-old Alex Pfeiffer to a three-year contract, making her one of the youngest players in NWSL history. The bold decision highlight the club’s commitment to nurturing young talent and building its program. Pfeiffer, a rising star in the U.S. youth soccer scene, has been part of […]

Sports broadcaster Charly Arnolt and former NFL player Chris Manno took a stand in support of sports commentator Clay Travis and his controversial bet on a high-level high school boys basketball team beating the WNBA-champion Las Vegas Aces. Travis’ $1 million wager, aimed at underscoring the biological differences between men and women, ignited a firestorm […]

19-year-old tennis superstar Coco Gauff has secured her 50th win of the 2023 tennis season at the WTA Finals Oct. 30, placing her in a unique historical category alongside tennis legend Caroline Wozniacki. Gauff reached this milestone when she dominated world No. 7 Ons Jabeur with a 6-0, 6-1 victory, Ed McGrogan of Tennis reported. […]

Women’s college volleyball is once again breaking records, this time after the Wisconsin women’s volleyball match against Minnesota earned the record for the most watched volleyball match in history. It was the first Big Ten match to air on FOX, and topped the NBA, NHL, Premier League and Formula 1 for viewership, Jeff Day of […]

Tennessee women’s basketball will pay tribute next season to two of its former players, Nikki McCray-Penson and the late Tasha Butts, who both died this year after battles with breast cancer. The Lady Vols basketball team shared photos on Twitter Oct. 30 of their warm-up shirts, with two patches featuring Butts’ and McCray-Penson’s initials. For […]

LSU women’s basketball powerhouse Angel Reese, recently shed light on the unique sibling rivalry she shares with her younger brother, Julian Reese, a junior basketball player at Maryland. Despite being ranked the No. 2 player in her 2020 girls’ class, Angel watched as her brother, ranked No. 51 in the boys’ 2021 class, and his […]

When Angel Reese decided to publicly decline the White House’s invitation for her and her LSU women’s basketball teammates, she probably didn’t expect it would turn into a learning experience. But with a little guidance from her coach, Kim Mulkey, that’s exactly what happened. Let’s set the stage: The White House extended its traditional victory […]