UW Athletics and Kaylee Prigge Agree to Contract Extension
LARAMIE, Wyo. (May 19, 2025) – University of Wyoming Athletics has announced a multi-year extension with Cowgirl Volleyball Head Coach Kaylee Prigge. The extension runs through the 2027 season. “I am eternally grateful to love what I do and who I do it with,” said Prigge. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue […]
LARAMIE, Wyo. (May 19, 2025) – University of Wyoming Athletics has announced a multi-year extension with Cowgirl Volleyball Head Coach Kaylee Prigge. The extension runs through the 2027 season.
“I am eternally grateful to love what I do and who I do it with,” said Prigge.
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue growing and building Wyoming Volleyball for this community and the state of Wyoming. I want to thank Tom Burman, Taylor Stuemky and our entire administration for their support of the program and trust in our staff. Our athletics department is special because of the high-level commitment to every UW team. We truly are one state, one university and one team.”
In her first two campaigns at Wyoming, Prigge has led the Cowgirls to back-to-back national postseason appearances, UW has played in each of the last two NIVC Tournaments, advancing to the Great Eight Round in both seasons. In her two seasons, Prigge has led the Cowgirls to 39 victories.
As head coach, Prigge has guided six Cowgirls to All-Mountain West honors while seven student-athletes have been named to the CSC Academic All-District Team.
“Our future is bright and that is because of the group of young women that make up Cowgirl Volleyball. Their commitment to the development and growth of our program, is what I am most proud of and excited to continue. GO POKES!”
At this time last year, I wrote an article reporting on the success of the St. Francis de Sales (SFDS) volleyball program, after winning championships in four of five divisions. Well, to quote the great Yogi Berra, “It’s like déjà vu all over again”, as SFDS repeated last year’s feat, by again winning four out […]
At this time last year, I wrote an article reporting on the success of the St. Francis de Sales (SFDS) volleyball program, after winning championships in four of five divisions. Well, to quote the great Yogi Berra, “It’s like déjà vu all over again”, as SFDS repeated last year’s feat, by again winning four out of a possible five championships.
The SFDS ‘Gold’ fourth-grade volleyball team entered the playoffs as the 2nd seed, with a record of 18-12. They opened the playoffs with a win over Our Lady of Grace (7 / 8-22), leading to a semi-final matchup against the SFDS ‘Blue’ team (3 / 16-14). After absorbing a first-set loss, the ‘Gold’ team responded with a second-set win. The third set was tense, with the two teams swapping leads, but ultimately the ‘Gold’ team won, 21-19, setting up a championship match vs. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel (1 / 22-8). Played at St. Margaret’s on June 1st, the ‘Gold’ team won the first set easily, 21-10. The second set proved to be a nail-biter, but the girls showed how much they have learned with strong serves and great passing, and SFDS won 21-19 to clinch the championship.
CYO volleyball begins in the fourth grade. For the most part, girls in this age group are a blank slate when it comes to volleyball. A quote from Forrest Gump’s mother best describes the situation: “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get.” So, as a coach, the joy is seeing how your girls develop as the season progresses and hoping you can earn a playoff win. Winning a championship is another story altogether. Congratulations to the coaches, Richie and Kelli Tirado, on a great season.
The Novice (5th Grade) playoffs began for the SFDS ‘Blue’ team (2 / 22-8) with a desire to make up for last season’s championship loss. Thanks to their record, they earned a first-round bye. In the quarterfinals, they were matched up against Blessed Trinity (7 / 10-20). After not playing a match in one month, they sweated out a three-set win, earning them a semi-final match against St. Gregory’s (3 / 23-7), which they won in two sets. The championship match was played at Our Lady of Snows on May 31st and featured the number one seed, St. Andrew’s (23-7), against the number two seed, SFDS ‘Blue’. SFDS easily won the first set, 21-5, but St. Andrew’s recovered to win the second set. The third set was a taut affair won by SFDS thanks to great serves from Brooke Intrabartolo and an amazing dig by Emma Urciuoli, which may have saved the match. Congratulations to coaches Rob Intrabartolo and Siobhan Fitzgerald on another successful season.
The Rookie (7th Grade) SFDS ‘Gold’ team has a history of succeeding in the early rounds but losing in the semifinals. Understandably, then, entering the playoffs as the sixth seed (21-9) there were few thoughts about making it to the championship match, especially considering the quality of the teams they would have to defeat. So, beating Gate of Heaven (11 / 7-20) in the first round, in two sets, was no surprise. The quarterfinal match, however, pitted them against St. Andrews (3 / 21-6), a dangerous opponent. Initially, that did not seem to matter to the girls as they took the first set, handily. But, maybe feeling a little overconfident, they allowed St. Andrews to take the second set. The third set was tight, but the ‘Gold’ team managed to hold on for the win, 21-16, setting up a semifinal match vs. perennial rival, Blessed Trinity (2 / 25-5), last year’s champions. During the regular season, Blessed Trinity (BT) won five of six sets against the ‘Gold’ team, so expectations of advancing to the championship match were not high. However, something strange happened. Along the way, someone forgot to tell the girls on the ‘Gold’ team that they were expected to lose, and they played flawlessly in defeating BT in two sets (21-11, 21-8).
The championship match was played on June 1st at St. Margaret’s and matched the ‘Gold’ team against the powerhouse from Howard Beach, St. Helen’s (1 / 19-2). St. Helen’s won the first set easily, 21-11. The SFDS team then again demonstrated its resiliency by coming back to take the second set, 21-16. The third set was a nail-biter with neither team taking more than a two-point lead at any point. SFDS was down 19-17 when they broke St. Helen’s serve, to move within one point, 19-18. Jill Heeran, owner of the most reliable serve on the team, brought SFDS within one point of the win, 20-19, when St. Helen’s called a timeout. This is an oft-used tactic designed to give the server time to overthink the situation. But it did not work on Jill. After a reminder to take her time and breathe deep, she ran out to her serving position. At the referee’s beckon, she served. St. Helen’s played the ball into the net and SFDS ‘Gold’ were the champions. Kudos to Maeve Powell for her heady play out of the setter’s position and to Grace Welsh for her strong play on the net in the deciding set. A special acknowledgement is also due to the girls on the bench, who did not get a chance to play. They suited up and cheered their team on, through the high and the low points, and showed everyone that, in their minds, there is no ‘I’ in ‘team’. Finally, congratulations to Coach Jeanne Marie Corvi on an excellent season.
The SFDS 8th Grade ‘Gold’ team entered the playoffs as at 2nd seed, having lost only one set of the 30 played. They started their playoff run with a strong showing against St. Joseph’s, taking the match in two sets. With 19 players on the roster, it wasn’t easy to rotate everyone in such a quick win, but nearly all the girls saw the court and contributed to the victory. In the quarterfinals, they faced a solid St. Stan’s team and once again walked away with a two-set sweep, showing consistency, confidence, and teamwork.
Next came the semifinals, a highly anticipated rematch against St. Margaret’s Red — the very team that handed SFDS a heartbreaking loss in last year’s championship. This time, the result was different. Fueled by determination and redemption, the SFDS girls played with heart and grit, defeating St. Margaret’s in two sets and earning their ticket back to the finals.
The championship match took place on June 11th at 8:45 PM and was, fittingly, a celebration of all their hard work. The girls arrived in style, thanks to the Martin family for providing transportation that made the night even more special. Facing St. Stan’s Blue, SFDS left no doubt, taking home the title in two dominant sets. There was no way of stopping Maeve Murphy’s powerhouse serves and spikes, Taryn Martin’s quick, on-target sets, and Jane Bender’s consistency and heart, at every point. Reese Dennis brought unmatched intensity, Niamh Mullen showed unwavering focus and the ability to pull off clutch plays, and Sadie Corvi’s killer instinct kept her one step ahead on the court. From start to finish, the 8th grade girls played like champions and finished their CYO careers on the highest note possible. Congratulations to coaches Chrystie and Eric Rasmussen, and the entire team, on a season to remember.
A Final Note: The Rockawave Volleyball Training (RVT) club team will travel to Dallas next week to compete in the USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship (14-17s). As many as 15 girls from Rockaway and Breezy Point will participate in the tournament, which runs from June 25th through July 3rd. The tournament can be followed at the 2025 USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championship 14-17s – USA Volleyball. Best of luck to these amazing athletes on what should be a tremendous experience.
City Church holds inaugural volleyball camp | Local Sports
City Church concluded its inaugural volleyball camp on Thursday. The four-day event was held at the Shenango Recreation Complex and hosted 75 girls with the age group spanning from fifth to 11th grade. ×
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Mottley: Chris Gibbs was the “very epitome of the Bajan spirit”
People who have influence over the youth have a responsibility to let them know about those who made Barbados a special place. That is one of the takeaways for Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley as she reflected on the life of the late Chris Gibbs, a founding member of the world famous group The Merrymen […]
People who have influence over the youth have a responsibility to let them know about those who made Barbados a special place.
That is one of the takeaways for Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley as she reflected on the life of the late Chris Gibbs, a founding member of the world famous group The Merrymen and an outstanding sportsman.
Gibbs passed away on Tuesday and in a statement, Mottley said she was “mindful that despite his immense familiarity among older Barbadians, most of our school-age citizens probably have no idea who he was or his contribution to national life”.
“Chris Gibbs, along with (Sir) Emile Straker, Robin Hunte, Willie Kerr and Peter Roett, performing authentically Caribbean musical styles as The Merrymen at home and in many of the world’s best-known capital cities, compelled countless visitors to return over and over again,” she noted.
“A lover of our most prolific natural resource, the sea, Chris distinguished himself as a national representative and team captain in the sport of water polo, completed the enviable feat of swimming around the island as part of a relay team in 2003, and made international headlines at the age of 58 as the only Caribbean national to swim the English Channel.”
The Merrymen’s Chris Gibbs, Emile Straker, Willie Kerr and Robin Hunte thrill the crowd, with Peter Roett on drums. (GP)
Full statement below:
As I reflect on Chris Gibbs’ passing this week, I am mindful that despite his immense familiarity among older Barbadians, most of our school-age citizens probably have no idea who he was or his contribution to national life.
This ought to be a reminder to all of us who have responsibility for, or influence over, our youth and who are concerned about what appears to be our failure as a society to consistently pass on the values that created that true Bajan spirit, which made Barbados a special place, that we have a critically important task ahead of us.
Chris was the very epitome of the Bajan spirit. He was as caring as he was humble. He revelled in the Bajan culture, particularly in sports and music, and like many Barbadians of old, he was self-taught in the areas in which he excelled. His life is a potent lesson for every young Bajan with a goal – it is within you to determine your future success, regardless of where you start or what obstacles confront you along the way.
As one of the founding members of the most recognised Barbadian musical group of the 20th century, The Merrymen, Chris not only played a key role in the development of our entertainment industry but was an essential part of the cultural element that gave the island’s tourism its stable foundation.
Chris Gibbs, along with (Sir) Emile Straker, Robin Hunte, Willie Kerr and Peter Roett, performing authentically Caribbean musical styles as The Merrymen at home and in many of the world’s best-known capital cities, compelled countless visitors to return over and over again.
A lover of our most prolific natural resource, the sea, Chris distinguished himself as a national representative and team captain in the sport of water polo, completed the enviable feat of swimming around the island as part of a relay team in 2003, and made international headlines at the age of 58 as the only Caribbean national to swim the English Channel.
For his successful swim across the English Channel, Chris was awarded the Barbados Service Medal and in 2022 he was conferred with the Order of the Republic.
On behalf of the Government and people of Barbados, I extend sincere condolence to his family and friends and encourage all young Bajans to take a leaf from his book.
May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory. (PR/SAT)
Heading outside: Dodge crowds on rainy, cool Smith Rock weekend
Heading outside: Dodge crowds on rainy, cool Smith Rock weekend Published 3:29 pm Thursday, June 19, 2025 1/4 Swipe or click to see more Mountain bikers ride in the Swampy Lakes Area during summer. (Bulletin file photo) 2/4 Swipe or click to see more Anglers fly fish the Crooked River just below Prineville Reservoir. (Bulletin […]
Heading outside: Dodge crowds on rainy, cool Smith Rock weekend
Published 3:29 pm Thursday, June 19, 2025
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Mountain bikers ride in the Swampy Lakes Area during summer. (Bulletin file photo)
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Anglers fly fish the Crooked River just below Prineville Reservoir. (Bulletin file photo)
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Smith Rock State Park trails offer outstanding views of the park itself and surrounding High Desert and the Cascade Mountains. (Bulletin file photo)
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Kids fish in the Pine Nursery pond at Pine Nursery Park in Bend. (Bulletin file photo)
Last week, I mentioned that local trails needed some precipitation, but there was none in the forecast. Hours after the column was published online it rained all evening. While I hate being wrong, it was a pleasant surprise.
Rain is in the forecast Friday and Saturday this week, and shouldn’t hurt the trail one bit. With temperatures topping out in the mid-50s, there are chances of rain both days. Lows could dip into the 30s overnight. Temperatures are expected to rise Sunday with highs reaching into the 60s and overcast skies. Then it’s a return to summer weather starting next week, with highs in the 70s and clear, sunny skies.
Below are some recommended spots for recreation this weekend.
Dodge crowds on rainy, cool Smith Rock weekend
With rain in the forecast, it might be a good weekend to head to Smith Rock if you’re looking for some nice hiking and to avoid the climbing crowds. Smith Rock has a variety of hiking loops, ranging from a couple of miles to the 7.3-mile Summit Loop.
With 1,700 feet of elevation gain, the Summit Trail loop takes hikers on a challenging route with views of the whole park. Other trail and loop options include Homestead to North Point loop, reverse Misery Ridge loop and Wolf Tree to Burma and back. These are all great hiking and running options in Smith Rock State Park. See the area’s rock formations and outcroppings from different vantage points as well as the surrounding High Desert and Cascade Mountains. Dogs are welcome in the park but must be on a leash.
Smith Rock day use fees are $5 year-round. The park is a couple miles east of Terrebonne and about a 40-minute drive from Bend.
Venture up to the Swampy Lakes Area trails
Many high-country trails in the Swampy Lakes Area are rideable, according to reports on bendtrails.org this week. Besides some of the higher sections and Middle Flagline, which is closed until Aug. 15 for elk calving, most of the trails are clear of snow and should be riding well now or within a week or two.
These high-elevation trails are reachable from Skyliner and Swampy Lakes trailheads as well as Phil’s Upper Whoops. This early in the season I would suggest parking on the Whoops access road or Skyliner Trailhead and seeing how far up the mountain you can ride on these trails. According to reports, Flagline Tie and Swampy/Dutchman trails still have snow and Swampy Lakes Loop is in variable condition.
When starting at the Swampy Lakes Sno-park — permit not necessary during summer months — take Swampy Lakes Loop to Swede Ridge or S.S.T and Sector 16 or Tumalo Ridge. Experienced riders could also venture over to black diamond Southfork for a fast, technical descent. Keep in mind it is a two-way trail — watch out for climbers.
After a day of riding, draw straws to see who’ll drive the car back so the rest of the group can bomb down into town via Phil’s trails. These trails are prone to winter deadfall so be on the lookout for downed trees and branches.
Low flows on Crooked bring good trout fishing
Since flows have dropped below 300 cfs on the Crooked River, anglers report excellent trout fishing on the river, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) website.
The river is open to fishing all year below Bowman Dam. Following several months of high flow releases for flood control, flows have dropped below 300 cfs and fishing has improved.
Anglers may encounter bull trout now that there is volitional passage on the river at Opal Springs. Anglers who catch a bull trout should release it unharmed and report their catch to the US Fish and Wildlife Service at crookedbulltrout@fws.gov.
ODFW staff will be conducting annual fish population monitoring June 24 through 27 on the Crooked River between Big Bend and Cobble Rock Campgrounds.
Bowman Dam is just south of Prineville, on the west end of Prineville Reservoir. The Crooked River is fishable from there to where it converges with the Deschutes River at Lake Billy Chinook near Culver.
For more fishing reports, check out the ODFW’s website.
Weekly activities at Pine Nursery Park
Find a variety of activities at Pine Nursery Park in northeast Bend. The 159-acre community park has baseball and soccer fields along with field space for ultimate frisbee, lacrosse and other sports. Other features include beach volleyball courts, a disc golf course, a 14-acre off-leash dog are, all-abilities playground, pickleball courts, a fishing pond, natural areas and fitness and paved trails.
There are typically weekly disc golf competitions as well as pickup soccer on the grass field Tuesdays and Thursdays starting around 5-5:30 p.m. There’s also an ultimate frisbee group that usually plays on Thursdays plus pickleball and volleyball groups playing regularly.
Recent reports on the ODFW website say anglers have had results fishing in the Pine Nursery Pond for rainbow trout and recently stocked largemouth bass. The fish limit is two per day.
For a full list of conditions updated regularly, visit bendbulletin.com/conditions-report.
Ian Haupt: 541-617-7821 or ian.haupt@bendbulletin.com.
Palm Beach boys volleyball first team, second team, honorable mention and coach of the year
FIRST TEAM Steve Barnes, Seminole Ridge, Volleyball. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel) Steve Barnes, OH, Seminole Ridge senior: Led the Hawks to 23 wins and 3A state semifinal appearance; recorded 388 kills, 201 digs, 74 aces, 23 blocks and .378 hitting percentage; had 13 kills and 10 digs […]
Steve Barnes, Seminole Ridge, Volleyball. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Steve Barnes, OH, Seminole Ridge senior: Led the Hawks to 23 wins and 3A state semifinal appearance; recorded 388 kills, 201 digs, 74 aces, 23 blocks and .378 hitting percentage; had 13 kills and 10 digs in regional final win.
Dylan Guillenea, Dr. Joaquin Garcia, Volleyball. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Dylan Guillenea, setter, Dr. Joaquin Garcia senior: Led the Bulldogs to 20 wins and 2A regional quarterfinal victory; registered 570 assists, 146 kills, 123 digs, 56 blocks and 27 aces; recorded 53 assists in a match.
Evan Holowecky, Seminole Ridge, Volleyball. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Evan Holowecky, setter, Seminole Ridge freshman: Led the Hawks to district title and 3A regional championship; finished with 983 assists, 193 digs, 42 kills, 37 blocks and 28 aces; recorded 47 assists and 10 digs in state semifinal.
Ryan Huff, King’s Academy, Volleyball. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Ryan Huff, OH, King’s Academy senior: Led the Lions to 22 wins and 1A state title; recorded 172 kills, 140 digs, 40 assists, 37 aces and 27 blocks; registered 10 kills and winning point in state championship.
Adam Masri, Dr. Joaquin Garcia, Volleyball. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Adam Masri, MH, Dr. Joaquin Garcia senior: Led the Bulldogs to 2A regional semifinal appearance; finished with 212 total blocks, 167 kills, 32 digs, 17 aces and .408 hitting percentage; registered 17 kills and 16 blocks in a match.
Chris Tang, Boca Raton, Boys Volleyball (Boca Raton High School Athletics/Courtesy)
Chris Tang, OH, Boca Raton senior: Led the Bobcats to 18 wins, district title and 3A regional final appearance; led team in serve receptions and service aces; placed first in 15U Provincials Championships for Ashbridge’s Bay Beach Volleyball in Ontario.
Nicholas Watson, Volleyball, Suncoast. Spring All-County in Deerfield Beach on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Nicholas Watson, libero, Suncoast senior: Led the Chargers to 23 wins, district title and Class 2A state semifinal appearance; recorded 357 digs, 73 assists and 25 aces; had 36 digs in a match; registered 23 digs in regional final win.
SECOND TEAM
Graysen Amestoy, OPP, King’s Academy senior
Nathan Crow, OH, Boca Raton junior
Riley Joros, OH, Dr. Joaquin Garcia sophomore
Kyle Kiefer, OH, Atlantic Christian Academy senior
Carson Kramer, MH, Seminole Ridge senior
Dylan Smith, setter, Suncoast senior
Michael Swiderski, OH, Wellington senior
HONORABLE MENTION
Atlantic Christian Academy: Jamaury Augustin, Raymond Clair, Jonathan Gonzalez
King’s Academy: John Casey, Jake Manning, Jack Swartzbaugh
Lake Worth: Jaivaras Jackson
Olympic Heights: CJ Ehrhardt, Victor Hauari, Dymittry Terra
Palm Beach Central: Aiden Albury, Matthew Carr, Gian Paul Aviles
Park Vista: Tyler Gally, Landon Gilbert, Aiden Roney
Seminole Ridge: Addison Corey, Michael Deeds, Pierce Giebenrath
St. John Paull II Academy: Jack Rex
Suncoast: Eli Ergas, Thomas Supran, Chandler Westover
Trinity Christian: Carter Kuzmin, Paul Morency
Wellington: Jordan Higgins, Nico Martinez, Carlos Pelaez
West Boca: Vasyl Hlynskyy, Eduardo Prado, Maurice Sharaby
CO-COACHES OF THE YEAR
Danielle McCoy, King’s Academy, Volleyball. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Danielle McCoy, King’s Academy: The Lions finished 22-5, won the district and the boys volleyball program’s first state championship. “From the beginning of the season, we had something to prove after a tough loss last year in the regional championship game. The boys really worked hard this season and wanted to go all the way. I’m incredibly proud of the whole team, especially our seniors. … I am thankful for my assistant coach Mark Manning and I am going to miss all our seniors.”
Christian Spence, Suncoast, Volleyball. Deerfield Beach on Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (Carline Jean/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Christian Spence, Suncoast: Guided the Chargers to a 23-2 record, district title and made a 2A state semifinal appearance. They defeated all their opponents from Palm Beach and Broward. “We went into the season wanting to prove we were the best team in Palm Beach County. Not only did we do that, but we also showed we were a top 10 team in the state.”
When Janie and Stephanie Ellingwood went to a local brewery one night to watch a U.S. Women’s National Team soccer game with some friends, they didn’t think it would be a big deal to ask the staff to turn on the sound. The bartenders had always been friendly to the married couple, who frequented the […]
When Janie and Stephanie Ellingwood went to a local brewery one night to watch a U.S. Women’s National Team soccer game with some friends, they didn’t think it would be a big deal to ask the staff to turn on the sound.
The bartenders had always been friendly to the married couple, who frequented the bar at least a few times a week. And they were the only patrons in the small room, situated away from the main viewing area where the volume was on full blast. So they were surprised when the staff curtly shot down their request without any explanation.
Opened in early June to coincide with Pride Month, Untamed Spirits is the first women’s sports bar in the city of Los Angeles.
(Alyson Aliano / For The Times)
The Ellingwoods continued watching the nail-biting game with subtitles, but as it got more and more exciting, customers began spilling over to their side of the bar. Before long, the small room was packed.
“We were all cheering,” says Janie. “We all gave each other high-fives.”
The wife-and-wife duo took over another sports bar in Silver Lake and turned it into Untamed Spirits, the first women’s sports bar in L.A.
(Alyson Aliano / For The Times)
Still, the staff refused to turn up the volume.
The experience left the Ellingwoods, who are diehard fans of the L.A. Sparks and season-ticket holders for Angel City Football Club, wondering why there weren’t any bars in Los Angeles where they could comfortably watch women’s sports without feeling ostracized. So they decided to create their own.
After months of searching for a location, the wife-and-wife duo took over another sports bar in Silver Lake — formerly known as Trophy Wife — and turned it into Untamed Spirits, the first women’s sports bar in the city of L.A.
Opened in early June to coincide with Pride Month, Untamed Spirits joins a short list of bars in the U.S. dedicated to women’s sports, including Portland’s Sports Bra, which is expanding to four new cities including Las Vegas and Boston; Rough & Tumble in Seattle; Minnesota’s A Bar of Their Own; and Rikki’s in San Francisco. Long Beach’s Watch Me! Sports Bar, which opened its doors last July, was the first in California.
Stephanie, 37, who played professional golf for a few years, felt that L.A. needed something like this. “Something that’s a little bit classier, that isn’t sticky when you put your arms on the bar,” she describes.
“For once, I want to watch a game at the bar with sound on instead of some random spot in the corner,” Janie, 34, adds.
The bar is sleek and modern — a neon pink sign reads “Welcome to the Untamed Era,” and whimsical black and white illustrations cover a few of the walls.
(Alyson Aliano / For The Times)
On a recent Tuesday night, Janie was behind the counter pouring drinks, including their signature Angel City pink punch, for patrons sitting at the bar, which was adorned with rainbow flags and an Angel City Football Club flag. Meanwhile, Stephanie was floating around the space, checking on customers. The couple, who met while playing volleyball together at La Quinta High School, also run a made-to-order croissant bakery based in Orange County and remodel and manage residential properties throughout Southern California.
The bar is sleek and modern — a neon pink sign reads “Welcome to the Untamed Era,” and whimsical black and white illustrations cover a few of the walls. Menstrual products are displayed on the bathroom counter. The spacious patio is filled with plants and a sign that says “Watch Women’s Sports Here.” (There’s a TV in nearly every corner, so there’s no bad seat.) Although Untamed Spirits specializes in women’s sports of all kinds — even the more niche ones like kayaking, Janie says — the bar also plays men’s sports.
“Some people might call it a trend, but it’s not a trend,” Janie says. “I believe it’s a movement.”
(Alyson Aliano / For The Times)
Sitting at a table with a date and two friends, Marina Sobreviñas, 31, says she’s found that queer bars like Hi Tops in Los Feliz are more likely to play women’s sports, but she felt that “it’s about time” there is a spot dedicated to them. She recalls her experience trying to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup at a bar.
Untamed Spirits offers bar food with an international twist with dishes like kimchi fried rice.
(Alyson Aliano / For The Times)
Untamed Spirits sells nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks including margaritas and a signature Angel City pink punch.
(Alyson Aliano / For The Times)
“There was like, one World Cup TV out of the 10 TVs they had going, and it was sort of fascinating,” she says. “Like, ‘Am I’m the only one wearing a jersey today? OK, no problem.’”
Sobreviñas says that women’s sports are just as exciting as men’s sports.
Lisa Marie Ornelas, 30, agrees. “Women [athletes], in a way, have a little bit more to prove,” she says.
Untamed Spirits arrives in L.A. at a time when interest in women’s sports is expanding at a “meteoric pace” across the globe, according to Nielsen. The 2024 NCAA women’s basketball tournament averaged nearly 19 million viewers (with a peak of 24 million viewers for the final game between Iowa and South Carolina), an 89% bump from the previous year. The WNBA draft audience jumped 511%, and overall interest in the league grew 29% between 2023 and 2024. The National Women’s Soccer League saw a 17% boost in interest between 2023 and 2024. With the heightened interest, ad spending also increased: In 2024, TV advertisers spent $244 million on women’s sports, a year-over-year increase of 139%, according to TV marketing firm EDO.
Untamed Spirits has indoor seating and a spacious patio where patrons can enjoy sports of all kinds.
(Alyson Aliano / For The Times)
“Women in general have been playing great sports for a long time,” says Stephanie. “I just think the right people who have the ability to put them in the spotlight are finally noticing.”
More women’s sports bars are expected to open throughout the country. Jax Diener, who opened Watch Me! Sports Bar in Long Beach with her wife about a year ago, recalls when women’s sports weren’t aired on TV at all. She went to the first WNBA game at the Forum in 1997.
Untamed Spirits recently became an official bar partner of the Angel City Football Club.
(Alyson Aliano / For The Times)
“We used to come home after those games that were so exciting and turn on the sports that night to see the replays, and they weren’t even mentioned,” says Diener. “It was as if the league didn’t even exist.”
Diener says she was excited when she heard about another women’s sports bar opening in Southern California. “To me, it was really important for them to know that we’re in this together,” she says, adding that she has a text thread with other women’s sports bar owners where they share advice. “This is not a competition. This is women supporting women.”
Untamed Spirits recently became an official bar partner of the Angel City Football Club, which has a majority female-led ownership group that includes Natalie Portman, Abby Wambach and America Ferrera. The Ellingwoods will host their first watch party on Sept. 7 when the ACFC takes on Gotham FC.
Janie and Stephanie, who’ve been at the bar every day since it opened, say they are excited to eventually distill their own spirits, host more events and watch parties in the space and foster community among women’s sports lovers.
“Some people might call it a trend, but it’s not a trend,” Janie says. “I believe it’s a movement.”
Janie, left, and Stephanie Ellingwood say they are excited to eventually distill their own spirits, host more events and watch parties in the space and foster community among women’s sports lovers.
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