đ Time to spike your pumpkin spice latte, because the WNBA semifinals have everyone losing their minds. Atlanta and Golden State are both up 2-0 and one win from the Finals. The Dream needed overtime to beat the Liberty 101-98 in Game 2, and they did it without leading scorer Allisha Gray. Angel Reese and Jordin Canada had 23 points apiece, and Atlanta scored 28 points off 17 New York turnovers. This feels a little like the Liberty being the Liberty: they made history as the first No. 8 seed to knock out a No. 1, then looked much shakier against Atlanta, who beat us twice to close the regular season. As a lifelong Liberty fan, I can say "us." Out west, the Valkyries had one mission: protect Ballhalla. They did. Gabby Williams led the way with 25 points in Game 1, and Tiffany Hayes came off the bench for 21 in Game 2. Both Game 3s are Friday, with the Liberty and Aces facing elimination.
đ Do you enjoy being completely entertained? The feeling of adrenaline coursing through your veins? The excitement of watching non-stop swinging, jumping, diving and crushing a ball over a net? Then it's time to become obsessed with college volleyball. The No. 1 Nebraska Huskers are unbeaten and haven't dropped a regular-season match in more than 45 tries, and No. 7 Wisconsin rolls into Lincoln Saturday hoping to finally ruin the vibe. Keep your eyes on Andi Jackson, a middle blocker who is apparently playing every position. She just put up 12 kills, six aces and five blocks against Maryland. Sunday, No. 3 Louisville hosts No. 14 Stanford, and No. 2 Pitt and No. 6 SMU meet for the second time in five days, because once a week isn't enough. Nebraska vs. Wisconsin, Saturday, October 10th, 7 p.m. ET, FOX. Louisville vs. Stanford and Pitt vs. SMU, Sunday on ESPN.
â˝ď¸ ÂĄQue empiecen los juegos! The USWNT plays Spain, the reigning World Cup champions and No. 1 team in the world, not once, but twice! Our front line is loaded with Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson and Sophia Wilson, but my eye is on Ashley Sanchez. She's back with the national team while leading the NWSL in scoring, and she just broke the record for most goals by an American in a single NWSL season. Talk about a comeback tour. The big question is the back line. With Naomi Girma out injured, veterans Tierna Davidson and Emily Fox will have their hands full, and every other defender on the roster has fewer than 15 caps. Huge test for the newbies. Heads up: Saturday's pregame celebration honors USWNT great Crystal Dunn. Bring tissues. Saturday, Oct. 10 (2:30 p.m. ET, TBS) and Tuesday, Oct. 13 (7 p.m. ET, TNT), both streaming on HBO Max.
