Emma Hruby
Oct 21, 2022
The University of Wisconsin athletic department is investigating a recent leak of private photos and video of its women’s volleyball players.
While the athletic department did not offer up any details of the leaked material in its statement, it did say that the pictures and video were not intended to be made public. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, one of the photos obtained by the outlet appears to have been taken after the team won the Big Ten title last November, showing members of the team with their sports bras lifted.
Similarly, the Wisconsin State Journal reported that the photos were taken from inside the team’s locker room.
Statement from UW Athletics pic.twitter.com/M2lK2OYg8a
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) October 19, 2022
“UWPD is not investigating the volleyball student-athletes for wrongdoing in this matter,” the statement said. “Our top priority is supporting our student-athletes and we are providing them with the appropriate services and resources.”
They called the leak a “significant and wrongful invasion” of the athletes’ privacy, with University of Wisconsin police investigating multiple crimes, “including potential violations of university policies and criminal statutes.”
According to the university, the athletes contacted the police upon becoming aware of the leak.
On Thursday, University of Wisconsin police spokesman Mac Lovicott confirmed the investigation.
Wisconsin won its first national title last year, and is currently ranked fifth in the country with a 13-3 record (7-1 Big Ten). The Badgers are set to play Michigan State on Friday.
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Claire Watkins
Aug 7, 2024
It once again required extra timeto breakthe deadlock, but theUSWNTdefeated Germany on Tuesday thanks to aSophia Smith strikein the 95th minute.
The 1-0 win ensured them a spot in their first Olympic gold medal match since 2012.
With little rotation to thestarting XI, the US and Germany played to a 0-0 stalemate in regulation despite positive early opportunities for the USWNT to pull ahead. After more than 90 minutes of frustration, linkup play generated byNaomi Girma, progressed by Sam Coffey, and then sent through the back line by Mallory Swanson finally reached the target.
Alyssa Naeherprovided one final — and exceptional — kick-save to see the result out, as the USWNT survived a much narrower rematch of their 4-1 group stagewin.
USWNT win ends five-year title game drought
Saturday's gold medal match will be the USWNT's first title game since the2019 World Cup, and the 2024 Olympic tournament has other parallels to past successes as well. The US hasn't trailed in France thus far, and they've only seen one other Olympic Games (2004) through without falling behind. They've also won three World Cups without trailing.
Plus, they've now defeated Germany five times inmajor tournamentknockout rounds,most recently in the 2015 World Cup.
Marta-less Brazil upsets World Cup champs Spain
Now guaranteed to improveon theirTokyo Olympicsbronze medal finish, the USWNT will turn to another familiar opponent: Brazil.
Brazil produced theupset of the tournamentin Tuesday's second semifinal, dominating Spain to win 4-2 in regulation. An own goal had the reigning World Champions reeling early, followed by goals from Gabi Portilho, Adriana, and Kerolin.
Salma Paralluelo scored a late brace to get Spain back into the contest, but Brazil held tight in a successful effort to give footballing legendMartaa shot at her first gold medal in her last international tournament.
Ultimately, one year after Europe ruled the 2023 World Cup, the 2024 Olympic Final will instead see this year'sConcacaf W Gold Cup finalistsface off again. And with both the US and Brazil overachieving throughout this tournament, the gold is truly anyone's to grab.
Claire Watkins
Aug 7, 2024
TheOlympic women's basketballtournament's knockout stage tipped off with today's quarterfinal round, which determines whether Team USAwill compete against the world's best for an Olympic medal.
The US is still the frontrunner for gold, advancing past pool play on a 3-0 record and apoint differentialof +58.
History-makers Nigeria stand in Team USA's way
In Team USA's quarterfinal matchup, the seven-time Olympic champions will take on a team that's making some history of their own: Nigeria.
In qualifying for the quarterfinals, Nigeria became thefirst African nationto ever reach the Olympic knockout rounds, finishing pool play with a record of 2-1. Nigeria's success is a stunning turnaround from the Tokyo Olympics, where the team was eliminated after going winless through pool play.
Ezinne Kalu, who plays for Landerneau in France, has been Nigeria's leading scorer in Paris, most recently pushing past Canada with 21 points.
Roster depth is key to USA's Olympic success
Team USA will relyon their unyielding depth this afternoon,in addition to the combo play of two-time WNBA MVPsA'ja WilsonandBreanna Stewart.
The US will also lean on their stifling defense and consistent offense, averaging 92 points per game so far in Paris while only allowing 77 points per game from the opposition. And it goes beyond the starters: Team USA's bench contributed 52 points in theirpool play finaleagainst Germany.
Three other contenders book Olympic semifinal spots
All eyes are nowon the USA's quest for a59th-straight Olympic victory after today's other three quarterfinals are officially in the books.
After securing a do-or-die win to reach the knockouts, Australia harnessed their momentum to win their quarterfinal game against Serbia 85-67, setting up a semifinal date with either the US or Nigeria.
Spain — the tournament's only other undefeated team through pool play — were stunned by a powerful Belgian side this morning, falling 79-66. The Belgians will next contend in their first-ever Olympic semifinal with host country France, who downed Olympic debutants Germany 84-71 to advance this afternoon.
How to watch Team USA vs. Nigeria in the Olympic quarterfinal
Team USA squares off against Nigeria today at 3:30 PM ET, with live coverage acrossNBC networks.
Meredith Heil
Aug 7, 2024
In another YouTube exclusive of The Late Sub, Claire talks through an epic Olympic soccer semifinal round that saw both the USWNT and Brazil rewriting narratives about the state of international women’s soccer. She discusses set pieces, Naomi Girma’s exceptional talent, and getting through difficult moments. She then wraps things up with a quick preview of Saturday’s gold medal game.
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.
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Dee Lab
Aug 6, 2024
Five days into the Olympic track and fieldcompetition,Team USAis well on their way to matching their Tokyo medal count of 26. With 11 medals — three of them gold — the US leads all nations in the sport, with Kenya siting in second place with three medals.
US women make Olympic history
Triple jumperJasmine Moorekicked things offon Saturday, becoming the first US woman in history to win bronze in her event.
Then yesterday, Tokyo discus gold medalist Valarie Allmannotched a 69.50-meter toss, becoming just the third woman to secure back-to-back golds in the event.
St. Lucia's Alfred takes fastest woman title
Though two US womenmade Saturday’s 100-meter podium—Sha’Carri Richardson won silver while Melissa Jefferson won bronze — it wasJulien Alfredwho raced into the history books.
The 23-year-old secured Saint Lucia’s first-ever Olympic medal with her gold medal win, finishing 0.15 seconds ahead of Richardson — the event's largest margin of victory since 2008.
Missing from this year’s 100-meter race was 2008 gold medalist and Jamaican legendShelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, who failed to run in her qualifying semifinal days after fellow Jamaican and 100-meter favoriteShericka Jacksonbowed out of the event.
And with three of the eight-runner lineup repping Team USA, including gold medal–favorite and world No. 2Gabby Thomas, Tuesday's race to watch is the 200-meter final, which takes off at 3:40 PM ET.
Where to watch Team USA compete in Olympic track and field events
Track and field events will continue through August 11th, with live coverage across NBC networks.
