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Jordan Larson headlines season two of Athletes Unlimited Volleyball

(Photo by YURI CORTEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Season two of Athletes Unlimited Volleyball is on its way.

The organization announced the return of the volleyball league on Monday, including the first 24 players of the 44-player roster. The five-week season will run from March 16 through April 16 at Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas, and for the first time, matches will be played in front of fans.

Jordan Larson, AU’s inaugural volleyball champion, will return after being named MVP of the volleyball tournament at the Tokyo Olympics, where Team USA won gold.

“Athletes Unlimited provides the premier platform for women’s pro volleyball players in the United States,” Larson said in a release. “I’m beyond excited to have the opportunity to return to Dallas, and play in front of the incredible community of volleyball fans and players in the region and beyond. That coupled with some of the new athletes joining the league will make for a can’t-miss season.”

Also returning are two-time Olympic gold medalist Sheilla Castro, reigning GEICO Defensive Player of the Year Nomaris Vélez Agosto and fourth-place finisher Aury Cruz.

Seven newcomers have signed on for season two, including Nootsara Tomkom, long considered one of the best setters in the world. Among that group, Tori Dixon will make her debut after sitting out last year due to injury.

“As the only professional indoor women’s volleyball league in the United States, we’re beyond thrilled to welcome back 17 players from season one and seven new players who will be joining the league for the first time,” said Athletes Unlimited CEO Jon Patricof. “I hope fans will stay tuned for more news in the coming months as we announce the remaining 20 players, as well as details about our national and global media partnerships.”

The league’s partnerships from season one will remain in place, with USA Volleyball serving as a strategic partner and Starlings Volleyball, USA as a charitable partner. The Dallas Sports Commission, which helps attract sporting events to the area, will be among the league’s supporters.

“Our mission is to attract marquee sports events at every level to our great city and make Dallas an even better place to live,” said Monica Paul, executive director of the Dallas Sports Commission. “I’m personally passionate about hosting women’s volleyball here, as we open up pathways for women and girls to become the next generation of bright stars in sports.”

Athletes Unlimited also revealed plans for the first-ever Athletes Unlimited Volleyball College Draft. Similar to the process for softball and lacrosse, the league will draft a total of 15 players who completed NCAA eligibility in 2021 during a live broadcast on Dec. 17. The draft will be streamed at 7 p.m. ET on YouTube and Facebook.

Members of the Unlimited Club can start purchasing tickets Monday at AUProSports.com, while those for the general public will go on sale Nov. 19.

Full Roster

  • Ali Bastianelli, MB
  • Amanda Benson, L*
  • Taylor Bruns, S
  • Sheilla Castro, OPP
  • Aury Cruz, OH
  • Tori Dixon, MB
  • Leah Edmond, OH
  • Erin Fairs, OH
  • Morgan Hentz, L*
  • Jordan Larson, OH
  • Cassidy Lichtman, OH
  • Kaylee Manns, S
  • Molly McCage, MB
  • Deja McClendon, OH
  • Taylor Morgan, MB
  • Valerie Nichol, S
  • Jenna Rosenthal, MB*
  • Ray Santos, S*
  • Ronika Stone, MB*
  • Lianna Sybeldon, MB
  • Nootsara Tomkom, S*
  • Kristen Tupac, L
  • Nomaris Vélez Agosto
  • Madison Villines, OH*

*Indicates new player for season two

Napheesa Collier Talks the Future of Unrivaled on ‘Sports Are Fun!’ with Kelley O’Hara

Cover image for Sports Are Fun! with Kelley O'Hara showing Unrivaled co-founder and WNBA star Napheesa Collier.
WNBA star and Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier guest stars on this week's 'Sports Are Fun!'

Welcome to another episode of Sports Are Fun! presented by TurboTax.

The second episode of Sports Are Fun! dropped today, with soccer icon Kelley O'Hara, sports journalist Greydy Diaz, and JWS intern BJ professing their hottest takes all things women's sports — joined this week by WNBA superstar and Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball co-founder Napheesa Collier.

"It felt like everyone is making money off of women's sports except for the women in the sports," Collier said, reflecting on developing the offseason league's profit-sharing business model.

"And so, we offer the highest average team salary in women's sports, and we're giving equity to everyone who's playing."

In addition to chatting with Collier about all things Unrivaled, the crew also gets into even more WNBA offseason moves, Midge Purce's return to Gotham, Hope Solo's TST team, South Carolina and UConn's upcoming NCAA battle, and so much more.

Collier gives 'Sports Are Fun!' the inside scoop on Unrivaled

Guest star Napheesa Collier takes the group on a deep dive into offseason league Unrivaled. She talks through everything from dealing with injuries and living with teammates 24/7 to handling a business and going head-to-head in this week's 1v1 tournament.

"I mean, we're all in in one place, right? Our locker rooms are all in one hallway, we share food spaces, training spaces like cold tubs, saunas — all communal areas except for locker rooms." Collier says, describing the league's Miami campus. "It's really fun to see that behind-the-scenes stuff happening in real time."

"I have my own room, which is unlike what happened in college," she continues with a laugh. "I would compare it more to the Wubble, except, you know, we have free will this time around. But the the close proximity I actually really like — I think it's really fun. I think it's super convenient, just having everyone in one space. Cutting back on travel also is so, so nice."

Of course, the future is bright for the first-year league. For its second season, Unrivaled is planning to take the show on the road, dropping into cities around the country to give fans a front-row seat to the 3×3 action.

"We are planning to do on-the-road games where we go to a city for a night and we basically play in a full arena and then we make it a whole event for the fans," Collier says, detailing Unrivaled's plans for a takeover tour similar to what the PWHL is currently staging around North America. "Definitely not all the games — just a couple. You can hit markets that aren't necessarily cities where you can bring [regular-season] basketball."

Sports Are Fun! graphic featuring soccer legend Kelley O'Hara.
'Sports Are Fun!' places Kelley O'Hara at the intersection of women's sports and fun. (Just Women's Sports)

About 'Sports Are Fun!' with Kelley O'Hara

'Sports Are Fun!' is a show that’ll remind you why you fell in love with women's sports in the first place. Join World Cup champ, Olympic gold medalist, and aspiring barista Kelley O'Hara as she sits down with sports journalist Greydy Diaz and a revolving cast of co-hosts and friends. Together, they're talking the biggest, funnest, and most need-to-know stories in the world of women’s sports.

From on-court drama to off-field shenanigans, to candid (and silly) chats with the most important personalities in the space, this show screams "Sports Are Fun!"

Subscribe to Just Women's Sports on YouTube to never miss an episode.

Unrivaled 1v1 Tournament Busts Brackets in First-Round Blowouts

Mist star Breanna Stewart looks on during an Unrivaled game.
Breanna Stewart fell 12-0 to Mist teammate Aaliyah Edwards in Monday's 1v1 tournament opener. (Rich Storry/Getty Images)

Unrivaled 3×3 Basketball launched its inaugural 1v1 tournament on Monday night, with a slate of first-round upsets already busting a few brackets.

The evening's biggest twist came courtesy of Unrivaled co-founder and No. 1 seed Breanna Stewart's matchup against No. 8 seed Aaliyah Edwards, with Edwards earning a marquee victory by shutting out her Mist teammate 12-0 in less than two minutes of gameplay.

Due to a spat of injuries affecting the 1v1 contest, a lone second-round bye emerged in the bracket just beyond the Stewart-Edwards matchup. Consequently, Monday's victory punched Edwards's ticket all the way into the tournament's quarterfinal round.

"Tough night for me but shoutout to my Mistie @AaliyahEdwards_!!! Keep that thing going and go get that bag 💰!!" Stewart posted in support after her loss.

Also claiming a massive upset win on Monday was the Lunar Owls' Shakira Austin, who ousted Rose BC's Chelsea "Point Gawd" Gray with a dominant 12-2 scoreline.

The significant margins of victory across the 1v1 contest are in large part due to the tournament's "make-it, take-it" rule.

In a break from traditional 5×5 play and Unrivaled's 3×3 format, the unique 1v1 rule rewards scoring with both points on the board as well as continued ball possession. Therefore, athletes can string together long scoring stretches as long as they don't relinquish the ball.

The Laces' Jackie Young tries to defend a shot from the Lunar Owls' Shakira Austin during and Unrivaled 3x3 game.
With Shakira Austin's Monday upset win, all five Lunar Owls remain in the 1v1 competition. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

Lunar Owls show out as 15 players remain in 1v1 tournament

With a $350,000 total purse on the line, intensity on the Unrivaled court ramped up in the head-to-head competition.

Putting the first round behind them, 15 players remain in the running for the $200,000 first-place prize.

Notably, all five Lunar Owls players who entered the 1v1 competition — Unrivaled co-founder Napheesa Collier, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Allisha Gray, Courtney Williams, and the aforementioned Austin — survived Monday's bouts.

This gives the squad, who also leads the 3×3 league as the only remaining undefeated team, the best shot at claiming the $10,000-per-teammate payout should one of them win the 1v1 title.

Rose BC's Kahleah Copper lays up a shot during an Unrivaled game.
Tuesday's Unrivaled 1v1 action will tip off with Kahleah Copper against Allisha Gray. (Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

How to watch Tuesday's Unrivaled 1v1 tournament

Tuesday's session includes both the second round and quarterfinals of the 1v1 competition.

The action tips off with a blockbuster 7 PM ET battle between Rose BC's Kahleah Copper and the Lunar Owls' Allisha Gray.

Live coverage will air on TruTV.

Hayes Taps Future USWNT Stars for 2025 SheBelieves Cup Roster

USWNT players Lily Yohannes, Cat Macario, Jenna Nighswonger, and Emily Fox hold the 2024 SheBelieves Cup trophy.
Lily Yohannes, Catarina Macario, Jenna Nighswonger, and Emily Fox are all returning to February's SheBelieves Cup. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes dropped her 23-player roster for February's 2025 SheBelieves Cup on Tuesday, showcasing a lineup that centers both the team's immediate future and Hayes's long-term strategy.

For their upcoming matches against No. 8 Japan, No. 15 Australia, and No. 21 Colombia in the 10th edition of the annual US-hosted tournament, the world No. 1 USWNT will be without several superstar veterans.

Absences include midfielder Rose Lavelle, who is still recovering from an offseason ankle surgery, and center-back stalwart Naomi Girma, who is working back from a calf injury.

The team will also miss the 'Triple Espresso' frontline trio of Sophia Wilson (née Smith), Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman. Rodman has yet to return to international play since earning gold at the Paris Olympics.

Roster allows young USWNT players to level up

The roster represents Hayes's first group for friendly competition since early December, as the US begins the long journey of preparing for their next major tournament: the 2027 World Cup.

For Hayes, the aforementioned injuries and absences offer an opportunity to bolster the team's depth by giving young players experience against top international teams.

"There's no point in me sitting in two and a half years time and saying actually, if there was an injury to key players, have I prepared the entire playing pool adequately?" Hayes said on Tuesday.

"We are facing three excellent teams with three very different styles and the tournament will be a great test to see who can perform against world-class players, but to see that, we need to give them opportunities," she explained in the US Soccer press release.

US defender Gisele Thompson passes the ball during the U-20 World Cup in September 2024.
Gisele Thompson is one of four uncapped players on the February USWNT roster. (Julian Medina/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Fresh faces to join USWNT vets at 2025 SheBelieves Cup

To that end, the upcoming camp includes 10 players with fewer than five senior team appearances. Four of those players are uncapped, including midfielder Claire Hutton, forward Michelle Cooper, and defenders Gisele Thompson and Tara McKeown. All four impressed Hayes during her January camps and all have experience in youth level World Cups.

"I want to see what they look like within the WNT setup to determine, do they have the necessary qualities right now to be in the WNT, or do they go back to the Futures [camp] come April," said Hayes.

On the other hand, the 2025 SheBelieves Cup roster does include 12 members of the 2024 Olympic squad, including captain Lindsey Heaps (née Horan), Crystal Dunn, and Emily Sonnett — the only players on Hayes's February lineup with more than 100 caps.

Also notably back in USWNT action is midfielder Catarina Macario, who has returned to form with her club, Chelsea FC, after an ongoing knee injury forced her to withdraw from last summer's Olympic roster.

Ultimately, the US is in the experimental stage of the long preparation for the 2027 World Cup, complete with the risks and rewards that accompany long-term roster development.

The USWNT's February roster

  • Goalkeepers: Jane Campbell (Houston Dash), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals)
  • Defenders: Tierna Davidson (Gotham FC), Crystal Dunn (Paris Saint-Germain), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit), Jenna Nighswonger (Arsenal), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC), Gisele Thompson (Angel City)
  • Midfielders: Korbin Albert (Paris Saint-Germain), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns), Lindsey Heaps (Olympique Lyonnais), Claire Hutton (KC Current), Jaedyn Shaw (NC Courage), Lily Yohannes (Ajax)
  • Forwards: Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign), Michelle Cooper (KC Current), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City)

How to watch the USWNT at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup

The No. 1 USWNT will first face No. 21 Colombia at 8 PM ET on Thursday, February 20th, before battling No. 15 Australia at 5 PM ET on Sunday, February 23rd.

They will complete their 2025 SheBelieves Cup play against No. 8 Japan at 10:30 PM ET on Wednesday, February 26th.

All of the tournament's USWNT matches will air live on TBS.

First-time LPGA Tour Champion Yealimi Noh Wins Founders Cup

US golfer Yealimi Noh poses with her 2025 Founders Cup trophy.
Yealimi Noh earned her first LPGA win at the Founders Cup on Sunday. (James Gilbert/Getty Image)

After four days of stiff competition, the 2025 Founders Cup yielded a first-time LPGA Tour winner on Sunday as US golfer Yealimi Noh surged to victory on strong back-nine play in Bradenton, Florida.

The world No. 32-ranked Noh kicked off her sixth season with the LPGA by lifting her first trophy in her 111th start.

In just two holes on Sunday, the 23-year-old flipped a one-shot deficit into a three-shot lead, eventually claiming the $300,000 championship check with an overall 21-under-par performance.

"I always knew it would happen and it was a matter of time," Noh told reporters after her win. "To really get it done, and especially in the first tournament of the year, is really nice."

Noh, who earned a captain's nod in the 2021 Solheim Cup, is officially on an upswing. After less successful 2022 and 2023 seasons, she made 21 cuts across her 25 LPGA starts in 2024, helping fuel last weekend's blockbuster 2025 debut.

"Having a lot of better results and getting my confidence back and contending a few times last season really helped me carry that out through the winter and just really prepare for this week," she explained. "[I] just felt really ready — this was going to be my year and week."

South Korea's Jin Young Ko plays a shot during the 2025 Founders Cup's final round.
Jin Young Ko made bogeys on Sunday's 13th and the 14th hole to finish the Founders Cup in second place. (James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Founders Cup sees additional standout performances

Just behind Noh on last weekend's leaderboard is No. 7 Jin Young Ko. The South Korean star's narrow lead fell when she made her first bogeys of the competition, logging two back-to-back on Sunday.

The 15-time LPGA title-winner capped her tournament four strokes back from Noh, with US golfer and world No. 17 Megan Khang one stroke behind Ko in third place.

World No. 1 Nelly Korda finished tied for seventh place after capping her Founders Cup outing nine shots behind Noh.

The US star will next take a seven-week break, opting to sit out the upcoming trio of LPGA Tour stops in Asia. Korda will instead continue to search for her first victory of 2025 at the end of March, when she tees off at the Ford Championship in Chandler, Arizona.

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