Faith Torrez delivered the biggest shock of the NCAA gymnastics championships so far on Thursday, after the Oklahoma senior captured the all-around title with a 39.7875 score despite facing injuries all season.
Torrez hadn't competed in all four events this season before last night, having only performed on uneven bars and balance beam since February. This week's semifinals marked her 2026 all-around debut.
"If you would have [told] me probably two and a half weeks ago that I would be in this position right now doing four [events], like living out my dream right now, I'd probably laugh at you," Torrez said after the trophy ceremony.
Torrez defeated Olympic and world champions to claim NCAA gymnastics' highest individual honor. LSU's Kailin Chio finished second with a 39.6125 score, while Florida's eMjae Frazier placed third.
Oklahoma coach KJ Kindler said Torrez asked to start training on floor again after lat March's SEC championships. She made the transition slowly, only completing a full routine earlier this week.
"She is so talented," Kindler said. "Great air awareness, great sense of being able to do it when you've been off of it for that long."
Torrez's performance helped lead defending champion Oklahoma back to Saturday's championship meet, with the Sooners posting the day's top team score of 198.3000.
Four Gymnasts Claim Titles After All-Around Winner Faith Torrez
Four additional gymnasts claimed individual titles on Thursday, led by Torrez's teammate Keira Wells winning vault with a 9.9750. Florida's Riley McCusker earned her first individual national championship on bars with a 9.9875, while Minnesota's Brooklyn Rowray won beam.
Later, Olympian Jordan Chiles concluded her decorated UCLA career by capturing the floor title with a 9.9750.
Oklahoma, Minnesota, Florida, and LSU now advance to Saturday's NCAA gymnastics championships final.
Karolína Muchová snapped a six-match losing streak against Coco Gauff on Friday, dispatching the world No. 3 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 in the Stuttgart Open quarterfinals.
The win sends Muchová to her fourth semifinals this season. She'll now meet No. 4 seed Elina Svitolina, after the Ukrainian outlasted Linda Noskova 7-6 (2), 7-5 in Friday's other quarterfinal.
Muchová and Gauff had never competed on clay before Friday's matchup, with Muchová grabbing an early edge by breaking serve for a 2-1 advantage in the opener. Gauff struggled with forehand errors throughout the first set, misfiring 13 times before a late service break sealed the set for Muchová.
Both players elevated their games in the second set. Four straight service breaks created drama before Gauff claimed a crucial hold at 5-5, later breaking the Czech player's serve in the next game to even the match.
However, the third set belonged to Muchová. She broke Gauff's serve to surge ahead 4-2, with Gauff failing to convert three break-back chances in the following game. Muchová then held firm to close out the biggest win of her head-to-head history with the US star.
Gauff has never reached a Stuttgart Open semifinals, while Muchová now continues her strong 2026 campaign.
The Muchová-Svitolina semifinal now takes center stage. Svitolina leads the pair's all-time series 3-0, though they've never met on clay.
What's Next for Coco Gauff After Her 2026 Stuttgart Open Exit
Coco Gauff will likely shift her focus to the 2026 Madrid Open, with the annual WTA 1000 event kicking off on April 21st.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is set to defend her title in Spain, after defeating Gauff in the 2025 Madrid Open final.
LOVB Salt Lake pulled ahead in the 2026 LOVB Championship Series with a thrilling five-set victory over Austin on Thursday night, taking a 1-0 lead while shooting for a franchise-first League One Volleyball title.
The match delivered drama worthy of the championship stage. Salt Lake now stands one win away from claiming the second-year pro volleyball league's Tiffany Trophy.
"I thought we stuck together as a group and did what we could do even through the weird," said Salt Lake outside hitter Alexa Gray. "Just really proud of how we stayed in it and fought."
Austin showed resilience despite the loss. Middle blockers Asjia O'Neal and Molly McCage led the offense, with O'Neal registering 12 points while hitting .391 and adding five blocks. McCage contributed 13 points on .389 hitting, while Austin out-blocked Salt Lake 18-14.
However, Salt Lake's offense proved more efficient, hitting .253 compared to Austin's .190.
"It is disappointing to not get the win there, but I liked our resiliency, I like how we fought," Austin head coach Erik Sullivan said postmatch. "We have to win Saturday, that's the day that matters."
How to Watch 2026 LOVB Championship Series Game 2
Austin will look to stage a comeback in Saturday’s final series closer, hoping to force a decisive golden set for a shot at claiming the 2026 title.
Salt Lake takes on Austin tomorrow at 8 PM ET, live on USA Network.
The NWSL is developing a new brands policy requiring players to cover logos from companies not officially partnered with the league — or face fines up to $32,000 for repeat violations.
The policy limits visible logos to apparel brands that sign deals with the league, with Front Office Sports reporting the league sent a memo to players earlier this year outlining the proposed "footwear exposure agreement."
The NWSL brands policy applies to both cleats and goalkeeper gloves worn during games and training sessions. Nike and Adidas have reportedly already signed onto the agreement.
The penalty structure starts with a warning for first-time violations, before moving to a $500 fine for second violations. Third violations cost $1,000, as fines increase with each subsequent violation up to $32,000.
While equipment managers handle covering non-partner logos, players bear full responsibility for the fines. The memo additionally states clubs and brands cannot pay penalties on behalf of players.
The NWSL rule mirrors a similar WNBA policy, with the league believing these agreements will benefit players by creating more investment in club-issued footwear. The program is set to generate the NWSL at least $320,000 annually from Nike alone.
The policy remains in the finalization stage despite its planned March 11th start date. As such, players are continuing to wear non-partner brands during the 2026 season, which kicked off March 13th.
Brands with existing player deals like Puma, New Balance, Mizuno, Under Armour, and IDA Sports will have to join the program to see their logos on the field.
“The NWSL has proposed a footwear exposure agreement that recognizes the value brands receive from multi-platform exposure and direct association with our athletes,” the NWSLPA said in a statement. “Our Players drive that value. Brands that want to benefit from it will need to meet it.”
The French Open is boosting prize money by 9.5% ahead of the 2026 tournament, with the total pool now reaching €61.7 million ($72 million USD) — up €5.3 million from last year.
Both men's and women's singles champions will take home €2.8 million, a 9.8% increase over 2025. Roland Garros provides equal pay across all competitions, with runners-up earning €1.4 million while semifinalists walk with €750,000 each.
The largest increases target early-round exits, as qualifying round ousters see nearly 13% more French Open prize money while first-rounders see a 11.5% increase.
The percentage nearly doubles last year's tournament. However, it falls short of other Grand Slams, after the US Open boosted prize money by 20% last year while the Australian Open increased its pool by nearly 16%.
World No. 5 Jessica Pegula has led the player-run campaign for improved Grand Slam paydays.
"What we're looking for is how we help the ecosystem of the sport and maybe that's spreading it out in the lower rounds a little bit more evenly," Pegula told BBC Sport.
Coco Gauff won the 2025 French Open, earning €2.55 million after defeating Aryna Sabalenka in the final. The defending champion begins her title defense when the tournament kicks off on May 24th.
In other news, Roland Garros has moved to allow approved fitness trackers for the first time. Now players can wear devices that monitor sleep, strain, stress, and heart rate.
Line judges will also remain at the French Open for another year, despite the Tour's other three Grand Slams introducing electronic line calling. In his decision, French Tennis Federation president Gilles Moretton cited a 10% margin of error in the technology.
Monday’s WNBA Draft viewership delivered, after an average of 1.5 million viewers tuned in to ESPN’s coverage — marking the second-most watched event on record.
Viewership peaked at 1.79 million near the end of the first around, well after Dallas selected UConn’s Azzi Fudd No. 1 overall.
Ratings were up 20% over 2025, falling second only to 2024, when 2.45 million saw Indiana take Iowa’s Caitlin Clark with its first pick.
Monday’s numbers reinforce the women’s basketball boom’s endurance, arriving shortly after ESPN aired the second-most watched March Madness in network history.
Prior to 2024, WNBA draft viewership peaked at just 601,000 in 2004, while the last three years remain the only broadcasts to clear seven figures.
The 2026 WNBA Draft also ranked as the night’s top program among male-identified adults aged 25 to 54 and all adults from 18 to 34 — providing a captive audience as the league heads into its 30th season.
"The past 30 years have been about building the foundation. The next 30 are about scaling the game, unlocking what's possible for the entirety of women's basketball and women's sports," WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert told reporters in New York.
"Season 30 arrives at what I think is the perfect moment... this starts a new chapter, and I can't wait for what's ahead."
The Big Ten is launching its inaugural volleyball tournament this November in Fishers, Indiana, the conference announced Thursday.
The Big Ten volleyball tournament marks the first time the conference will determine its champion via a playoff competition, with the top 15 regular-season teams qualifying for the event.
"For the first time in its history, the Big Ten Conference will determine its volleyball champion with a postseason tournament featuring the best volleyball teams in the country," said Commissioner Tony Petitti in a statement. "We look forward to bringing the nation's top talent together for an entire week of exhilarating competition."
The format includes three opening-round matches followed by four second-round contests before the competition progresses through quarterfinals and semifinals. The championship match subsequently takes place on November 25th, with organizers building one off-day into the schedule.
Big Ten volleyball dominates the national landscape, with current programs combining for 22 NCAA DI Championships. They won 12 of the last 20 national titles, while also claiming eight of the nine most-watched college volleyball matches of all time. Six different Big Ten regular-season matches last season drew more than 500,000 viewers across three networks.
The conference has additionally led DI attendance rankings every season since 2007.
"Fishers is a volleyball city, and today's announcement brings us one step closer to delivering an unforgettable experience for fans," said Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness. "This fall, our city will become the epicenter of Big Ten women's volleyball."
Fishers Event Center opened in 2024 and seats 7,500 fans. The venue serves as home for Major League Volleyball's Indy Ignite.
How to Watch Big Ten Volleyball Next NCAA Season
The 2026 volleyball season kicks off with Big Ten Volleyball Media Day on August 3rd in Chicago.
The schedule also includes the first-ever Big Ten/SEC Volleyball Challenge Week, culminating in a doubleheader at Wrigley Field on September 6th.
Caroline Ducharme earned a chance to pursue her WNBA dreams this week, as the UConn women's basketball product signed a training camp contract with the Golden State Valkyries, marking another twist in the WNBA's 2026 offseason moves.
The Valkyries offered Ducharme a one-year, nonguaranteed deal at minimum salary. Players on training camp contracts compete to make the final 12-player roster, with many facing waivers before WNBA preseason concludes.
"We're so excited to be able to add Bailey, Caroline, and Ndjakalenga to our training camp roster," Valkyries GM Ohemaa Nyanin said, also welcoming Bailey Maupin, and Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda to the team. "Each of these players have shown a high level of competitiveness, a winning mentality, and a desire to improve."
Caroline Ducharme battled significant injury adversity throughout her UConn women's basketball career. She averaged just 7.4 minutes across 25 games in 2025/26 after sitting out much of the previous two years with various injuries.
The 6-foot-2 guard arrived at UConn as the Class of 2021's No. 5 prospect. She excelled in her freshman year, averaging 9.8 points and 21 minutes per game across 11 starts in 31 appearances.
However, injuries derailed the rest of her trajectory. Ducharme suffered her first head injury in February of her freshman season. She missed 13 games with a concussion sophomore year, before neck spasms kept her out for all but four games in 2023/24. She didn't receive clearance to return until late February 2025.
Ducharme's redshirt senior year brought migraines that cost her six games, with coach Geno Auriemma often listing her status as day-to-day.
Ducharme now reunites with former teammate Kaitlyn Chen on the Valkyries, while fellow Huskies Gabby Williams and Kiah Stokes also play for the 2025 WNBA expansion team.
The Indiana Fever signed veteran guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough this week, continuing its active WNBA offseason moves for 2026. The 30-year-old brings championship experience and nine years of professional expertise to the roster.
Walker-Kimbrough won the 2019 WNBA championship with the Washington Mystics, playing a key role off the bench during that historic run. The 5-foot-9 guard spent seven seasons in Washington over two different stints, after the Mystics selected her sixth overall out of Maryland in 2017.
"Shatori is a versatile guard who adds depth to our backcourt rotation," said Fever COO and GM Amber Cox. "She's a proven veteran in our league who brings a championship mindset and experience, both on and off the court."
Walker-Kimbrough spent the 2025 season with the Atlanta Dream, appearing in 41 games while averaging 1.7 points and 8.6 minutes per game.
The free agent joins a crowded Fever backcourt featuring Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, among Raven Johnson, among others. She also reunites with longime Mystics teammate and fellow WNBA offseason signing Myisha Hines-Allen.
"I'm looking forward to joining an amazing organization like the Fever," Walker-Kimbrough said.
"I'm excited to play alongside some of the most talented players in the league. The success of the team last year not only speaks to the players but also Coach White and her staff, so I'm blessed to be a part of it."
Walker-Kimbrough will wear No. 32 for the Fever, with the team looking to build around Clark after reaching the 2025 WNBA semifinals before falling to the New York Liberty.
The offseason moves continue as teams prepare for training camp, as Indiana's additions focus on adding veteran depth and championship pedigree to complement its young core.
Elena Rybakina started her clay court season with a commanding performance at the 2026 Stuttgart Open. The world No. 2 defeated Diana Shnaider 6-2, 6-4 in one hour and 12 minutes, successfully reaching tomorrow's quarterfinals.
The 2026 Australian Open champion returned as the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix's top seed after skipping last year's competition. While Rybakina chose to begin her 2025 clay season in Madrid, she opted to make Stuttgart this year's first stop.
Rybakina dominated with her serve throughout the match, winning three at-love service games in the opening set. She lost just three total points in her other two first-set service games combined, with the opening set lasting just 29 minutes.
Rybakina targeted Shnaider's backhand to create quick points, often finishing rallies in two or three shots. She sprinted to a 4-1 lead by winning 17 of the first 22 points.
Shnaider performed better in the second set but struggled with double faults at critical moment, ultimately giving Rybakina the decisive break. The Kazakh closed out the match on serve with her signature ace.
"If I do the right things, I think [it's] most important to get, achieve this and somehow to maintain," Rybakina said going into the tournament. "And it's very difficult, yeah, difficult goal. I'm working for it, so hopefully it will happen."
The match marked the first WTA Tour meeting between the two players. It also represented the first time Rybakina faced a left-handed opponent this season, with her last match against a lefty coming against Leylah Fernandez in October 2025.
How to Watch Elena Rybakina in the Stuttgart Open Quarterfinals
Rybakina now awaits the winner of Thursday's match between Fernandez and Zeynep Sonmez.
The Stuttgart Open quarterfinals take the court on Friday at 6:30 AM ET. Rybalinka's match is set to close out the day's lineup at 12:30 PM ET, live on The Tennis Channel.