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Is Tokyo when April Ross secures that elusive beach volleyball gold?

April Ross
Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

While every Olympic story is compelling in its own way, there’s one type of athlete who pulls at the heart strings a bit harder than most. It’s the athlete approaching the end of their career, but who still has one last chance to win that ever-elusive gold.

This summer, a new crop of such athletes is headed to Tokyo and will return home with either a deep sense of peace and relief, or with a lifelong ache for golden glory. While no one knows exactly when beach volleyball superstar April Ross will officially retire, it’s hard to deny that she’ll never have a better chance to finally win gold than this summer in Tokyo. With an Olympic bronze and a silver already in her trophy case, it’s the only color medal missing for Ross.

At 38 years old, Ross would probably be the first to say she has no set plans to hang it up after Tokyo. Her 2016 Rio partner and 3-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh-Jennings was in the midst of the Tokyo hunt herself, still hoping to battle for medals at age 42. But she and teammate Brooke Sweat were eliminated from Olympic contention when Americans Kelly Claes and Sarah Sponcil took first place at the penultimate Olympic qualifying event, becoming the youngest ever U.S. Olympic beach volleyball duo.

For the first time in almost two decades, Walsh-Jennings won’t be on the court of an Olympic medal match. Instead, Ross will be the most decorated and veteran American on the sand in Tokyo. She’ll have to share her wisdom with teammate Alix Klineman, who has no prior Olympic experience.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this two-on-two sport is the process by which teams are formed and then dissolved and then re-formed with new partners. There is no coach or general manager making these decisions. Two athletes decide to join together in pursuit of excellence and then often break up because one of them has decided there is a better fit out there. It’s a “Bachelor” spin off waiting to happen.

Ross’s path to her current partner had its share of tough conversations with now-former teammates.

“I can picture each conversation I had and how stressed out I was and how nervous I was to have these conversations, but I am also so proud that I embraced the challenge and took it head on,” Ross told Kelley O’Hara on the JWS podcast last fall.

“It’s really easy to get caught up with a friendship, because you do become really close with your partners and you don’t want to hurt your partner… I also view it as a business, and I know I have to make those tough calls.”

In her first Olympic bid in the 2012 London games, Ross and then-partner Jennifer Kessy lost to Walsh-Jennings and Misty May-Treanor in an all-USA gold medal match. In the post-game hand-shake, Walsh-Jennings infamously whispered to Ross, “Now let’s go win gold in Rio,” knowing May-Treanor was retiring and that Ross was her best replacement.

On paper, Ross and Walsh-Jennings were a match made in heaven. They had a great friendship and partnership, but unfortunately fell significantly short of their goals when they took home the bronze in Rio.

The two parted ways the following year when conflict with the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) resulted in Walsh-Jennings on one side of the fence and Ross on the other. Deciding to re-sign with AVP even as Walsh-Jennings did not was a critical juncture in Ross’s career that ultimately led to their break-up.

“It was gut wrenching, and just so stressful… It was the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make,” Ross told O’Hara.

A few seasons later, as the 2020 Olympics came into view, Ross knew she needed to get serious about choosing a partner for Tokyo and she started assessing her options. (As O’Hara described it, “So basically, volleyball is a lot of sliding into DMs when you need a new teammate.”)

Despite being relatively inexperienced, Alix Klineman had what Ross was looking for. She liked Klineman’s indoor experience, her proven performance under pressure, and the depth of untapped potential she sensed.

“The reason I made the decision to go with Alix was based on intangibles.”

So far, the choice appears to be an excellent one. Since joining forces, Ross and Klineman have become the number one ranked U.S. team and were the first to secure a spot in Tokyo. Klineman’s net play paired with Ross’s tenacious defense has also earned them a claim as the top overall seed heading into the games. Their biggest competition prior to the pandemic was Canadian duo Melissa Humana-Paredes and Sarah Pavan, but the Americans have come out on top in all three head-to-heads since tournaments resumed last summer.

Now, we get to see if their magic will be enough to win what would be a career-capping gold medal in Tokyo for Ross. No American athlete may have more to win, given that Ross and Klineman will be gold medal favorites for potentially the first and final time in Ross’ career.

PWHL Unveils All-New Uniforms Ahead of 2024/25 Season

PWHL players pose on the ice while wearing new women's hockey uniforms.
The PWHL unveiled new branding ahead of the league's second season. (Bauer/PWHL)

The PWHL unveiled all-new uniforms for its six founding teams on Thursday, after a long process that saw players competing under generic names and logos for the duration of the league's inaugural season.

Bauer — the PWHL's exclusive game and replica home jersey provider — is the sportswear company behind the uniforms. The league also worked closely with creative agency Flower Shop to refine each team's jersey design and branding.

PWHL hockey jerseys hanging against a blue and grey brick wall.
Each team's jersey design incorporates elements unique to the club's identity. (Bauer/PWHL)

Bauer Hockey takes the lead in PWHL jersey production

"We're proud to be the official game and replica jersey partner for the PWHL, as a next step in our long-standing commitment to girls and women’s hockey," said Mary-Kay Messier, Bauer Hockey's VP of global marketing, in Thursday's PWHL press release. "We are honored to celebrate the players, outfitting them with authentic on-ice jerseys. We are equally excited to celebrate the fans, providing premium-crafted replica jerseys so they can show their passion and support for their favorite PWHL team."

Each team's jersey incorporates elements unique to the club's regional and brand identity. Accordingly, the Minnesota Frost's uniform "embraces the chill" with a deep purple and white motif, "capturing the sharpness of the frozen landscape." Meanwhile, the Boston Fleet's jersey draws on alternating colored stripes, resulting in a "wave-like pattern that evokes a strong connection to the sea."

"Working alongside the team at Bauer, we put thought behind every color, every stitch, every fabric choice — every element— to ensure these uniforms are of the highest quality," added Jayna Hefford, PWHL SVP of hockey operations. "From the design process to final production, we aimed to create uniforms that not only reflect the spirit of each team but also deliver top-tier performance and comfort for our athletes."

Minnesota Frost player models new purple PWHL jersey.
The Frost's new jersey design is meant to evoke Minnesota's cold winters. (Grace Zumwinkle/Minnesota Frost)

PWHL brings home replica jerseys to fans

"Players and fans alike have been waiting for this moment and we couldn't be happier with the six unique looks each team will don moving forward," said PWHL SVP of business operations Amy Scheer. "These jerseys mark the latest evolution in our league's history, and we can't wait to see them showcased both on the ice and in the stands."

Fans can now purchase home replica jerseys online at the Official PWHL Shop, with key retailers following on November 14th. Replica jerseys will also be available at all home games when the season kicks off on November 30th.

Olympic Bronze Medalist Sammy Sullivan Talks Team USA Rugby on ‘The Late Sub’

Sammy Sullivan of Team USA rugby celebrates during a game at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Rugby star Sammy Sullivan won Olympic bronze in Paris as a part of Team USA. (Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

In today’s episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins breaks down the ins and outs of every NWSL quarterfinal, including who to keep on upset watch and what to expect tactically between the lines.

Then, Watkins sits down with 2024 Olympic bronze medalist rugby player Sammy Sullivan to chat about the future of rugby in the US. Sullivan digs into how she balances the rugby's newfound spotlight with the day-to-day grind of being a pro athlete, plus how fans can keep up with Team USA Rugby all year-round.

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes in women’s sports. This is the weekly rundown you’ve been missing, covering the USWNT, NWSL, WNBA, college hoops, and whatever else is popping off in women’s sports each week. Special guest appearances with the biggest names in women’s sports make The Late Sub a must-listen for every fan. Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

Subscribe to The Late Sub to never miss an episode.

Lynx Rookie Alissa Pili Stars in Latest Nike N7 Campaign

Lynx forward Alissa Pili wears the Nike N7 Collection.
This year's N7 Collection celebrates Indigenous culture. (Nike Basketball)

Minnesota Lynx forward Alissa Pili is the official face of Nike's Native American Heritage Month-inspired N7 Collection, the brand announced on Thursday.

Created in partnership with young Indigenous designer Chelysa "Chief" Owens-Cyr, Canada, the campaign "celebrates Indigenous culture and its interconnectedness with nature while helping preserve and showcase Native traditions for generations to come."

WNBA rookie Alissa Pili poses in Nike N7 gear holding a basketball.
Lynx forward Alissa Pili is both Samoan and Indigenous Alaskan. (Nike Basketball)

Pili signed Nike N7 contract in rookie WNBA season

Minnesota drafted Pili, who is of Samoan and Alaskan Iñupiat descent, as the No. 8 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.

No stranger to using her platform to encourage young Indigenous athletes, the Utah alum and 2023 Pac-12 Player of the Year inked her endorsement deal with Nike's N7 in June. The rookie signing was part of the sportswear giant's "commitment to uplifting Indigenous athletes and ensuring the next generation of Native youth see themselves represented."

At the time of her signing, Pili stated "I’m so honored to join the Nike Family as an N7 athlete. Representation is important to me, and I look forward to making an impact in the league and demonstrating to all the Indigenous and Polynesian girls who love the game that they can reach their dreams.”

Nike's new N7 Collection shorts in white with turquoise design.
Nike's 2024 N7 Collection includes Lakota-inspired designs. (Nike Basketball)

Lakota-inspired designs feature in Nike N7 Collection

This edition of the N7 Collection aims to empower and reinforce self-expression and includes clothing and exclusive turquoise colorways in both Nike Dunk and KD17 sneakers, now available online and at select retail locations.

Designer Chief chose geometric patterns reflecting Lakota teachings, saying "I want Native youth to feel represented, strengthened and empowered by this collection, which takes inspirations from what you’d historically see in beadwork or other traditional wear and applies it to modern, contemporary clothing."

"It's a good representation of my people to be able to share my culture and voice with not only Indigenous communities, but the whole world," Chief added. "The Lakota term I'd connect with it is 'Mitakuye Oyasin,' which means all my relations, we are all connected, we are one."

N7 Fund nonprofit grant applications now open

The N7 Collection release coincides with the opening of grant applications for Nike's N7 Fund, an initiative that invests in nonprofits elevating North America's Indigenous communities.

With $625,000 up for grabs since the N7 Fund grants began in 2022, nonprofit organizations can apply through January 6, 2025.

Upsets Rattle Early Season College Basketball as NCAA Tips Off

Florida State junior guard Ta'Niya Latson dribbles the ball up the court in an NCAA college basketball game.
Florida State junior Ta'Niya Latson scored 27 points in Thursday's loss. (G Fiume/Getty Images)

With NCAA basketball tipping off this week, early season upsets and hard-fought wins are already humbling some of college's top-ranked programs.

No. 19 Florida State fell to unranked Illinois 83-74 on Thursday despite 27 points from junior guard Ta'Niya Latson and a 22-point, 14-rebound double-double from senior forward Makayla Timpson. Behind 20-point performances from both Makira Cook and Adalia Mckenzie, the Fighting Illini took a 10-point first-quarter lead that they never relinquished.

Also on Thursday, No. 25 Indiana lost to unranked Harvard 72-68, with the Crimson dropping 21 first-quarter points to the Hoosiers' mere seven to put Indiana on their heels. The Big Ten squad mounted a comeback to force overtime, but between Harvard guard Harmoni Turner's 24 points and Indiana's 27 turnovers, the Ivy Leaguers took the win back to Cambridge.

Proving that ambitious non-conference schedules can be both risky and rewarding, No. 1 South Carolina, No. 3 USC, and No. 5 UCLA all narrowly fended off upsets in their respective season openers earlier this week.

Ultimately, even though recruitment and transfer opportunities can consolidate talent at the league's top, parity in college basketball has never been more widespread — and the 2024/25 competition's just starting.

Former South Carolina star Kamila Cardoso and NC State's Saniya Rivers tip off in a college basketball game at the 2024 NCAA Final Four semifinal.
NC State will try to avenge their 2024 Final Four loss to South Carolina on Sunday. (Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Final Four rematch headlines NCAA weekend lineup

Continuing the non-conference drama this weekend will be Sunday's 2024 Final Four rematch between No. 1 South Carolina and No. 9 NC State.

Last April, the Gamecocks resoundingly defeated the Wolfpack 78-59 in their NCAA semifinal before finishing the 2023/24 season as undefeated national champions.

Former South Carolina transfer Saniya Rivers will once again star for the Wolfpack, though sophomore guard Zoe Brooks was NC State's leading scorer with 21 points in their season opener against East Tennessee State on Tuesday.

As for the Gamecocks, they relied on junior forward Chloe Kitts to lead the scoring in their 68-62 opening win over unranked Michigan on Monday. In narrow victory, the reigning champions trailed for all but 32 seconds of the first half. Of course, the struggle highlighted the fact that South Carolina is still figuring out how to respond to missing Chicago Sky rookie Kamila Cardoso in the paint.

Sunday will also feature another ranked matchup, as No. 11 Duke visits No. 18 Maryland. Though both teams enter the weekend undefeated, Duke faces a particularly tough non-conference schedule this season, capped by a December 5th date with South Carolina.

How to watch women's college basketball games this weekend

Duke and Maryland tip off Sunday's action at 1 PM ET, airing live on FS1. Then at 3 PM ET, South Carolina visits NC State, with live coverage on ESPN.

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