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João Fonseca's Australian Open first

João Fonseca’s Australian Open first-round win over Andrey Rublev shows why he’s a star of the future By Luke Pentony at Melbourne Park “I think when I arrived here, my first goal was to qualify for the main draw,” he said. 5h ago5 hours agoWed 15 Jan 2025 at 12:39am João Fonseca marched into the […]

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João Fonseca's Australian Open first

João Fonseca’s Australian Open first-round win over Andrey Rublev shows why he’s a star of the future

By Luke Pentony at Melbourne Park

Joao Fonseca celebrates winning a match at the Australian Open.
João Fonseca marched into the second round with a straight-sets win over Andrey Rublev. (Getty Images: Hannah Peters)
Fonseca showed he is a future star with his victory at the Next Gen ATP Finals. (Getty Images: Francois Nel)OK, Fonseca’s youthful looks and exuberant disposition on the court were a dead giveaway the Brazilian is still in his teens.”Of course, I’m very happy with the way that I played today with the win, but I already think about the next match.”I tried for one week, and then I have something in my elbow, and then I said, ‘I’m going to go two-handed again.”Topic:Australian Open

Joao Fonseca poses for a photo with the Next Gen ATP Finals Trophy.
Roger Federer was another of Fonseca’s role models, although he admits the Swiss great’s signature one-handed backhand was not to his liking.

On Tuesday night, the 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) win over Rublev on Margaret Court Arena saw Fonseca achieve some ‘firsts’ in his young career.Last month — when ranked 145 in the world — he announced himself on the international stage by winning the Next Gen ATP Finals, an event featuring the world’s top male players aged 20 or under.Any casual tennis fan who kept an eye on João Fonseca’s Australian Open first-round match could have been forgiven for thinking they were watching a seasoned pro.”Of course, I think everyone wanted to play like him. But I even tried, when I was younger, the one-handed (backhand).”I think that’s the mentality of the champion. So, I’m just trying to think about the next match.”

Fonseca’s expectations ‘are bigger now’

It was not only his maiden win over a top-10 player but it came in his debut at a grand slam tournament.”It’s going to be a good one against a very great player. I want more and more.A fortnight ago, Fonseca was grinding away on the second-tier Challenger circuit in Canberra, winning the tournament without dropping a set.

Joao Fonseca takes a selfie with fans.
Not surprisingly, one of the former players Fonseca’s idolised was Brazil’s three-time French Open champion, Gustavo Kuerten.

“I was trying to enter the court [by thinking], ‘OK, I’m an 18-year-old guy, he’s a top-10 guy. I’m going to do my best here’.”Of course, I’m confident. I know I can win, but [there was] no pressure on myself. That’s what I was trying to do.””Of course, my expectations are bigger now. I want more and more.”I grew up watching Roger,” he said.His motivation to do well at Melbourne Park was sharpened by the fact he had to come through three rounds of qualifying to earn his spot in the main draw.Fonseca isn’t there just yet, but his progress during 2024 suggested he will be a contender at the majors in the years to come.Loading…A second-round victory over Italian Lorenzo Sonego would ensure a significant rankings boost from his current standing of 112, but Fonseca doesn’t want to stop there.But the clinical manner in which the 18-year-old dispensed of world number nine Andrey Rublev in straights sets suggested he already sat among the established stars of the games.”Everything was new for me … I was not the favourite,” Fonseca told his media conference at Melbourne Park.Fonseca’s confidence should not be mistaken for brashness, as it’s simply an indication of his ambition.Fonseca’s Australian Open campaign continues against Sonego on Thursday.Fonseca is already among the fan favourites at Melbourne Park. (Getty Images: Hannah Peters)

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2027 Outside Hitter Shaye Witherspoon Commits to Nebraska Volleyball

Nebraska volleyball’s 2027 recruiting class got another boost Tuesday. Outside hitter Shaye Witherspoon has committed to the Huskers. She made the announcement on social media. Shaye Witherspoon has committed to Nebraska. The 6-foot-3 outside hitter is ranked No. 10 by PrepDig and No. 11 by PrepVolleyball. She’s the fourth known 2027 commitment for the Huskers. […]

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Nebraska volleyball’s 2027 recruiting class got another boost Tuesday.

Outside hitter Shaye Witherspoon has committed to the Huskers. She made the announcement on social media.

“I am beyond grateful and SUPER excited to announce my verbal commitment to play volleyball at the University of Nebraska where I will be continuing my academic and athletic career,” Witherspoon said. “And a B1G thank you to Coach Dani, Coach Jaylen, Coach Kelly, and Coach Brennan for giving me this amazing opportunity, I cannot wait to be a husker!! 🌽❤️🏐 GBR!!!!!”

Witherspoon is ranked No. 10 overall by PrepDig and No. 11 by PrepVolleyball. The 6-foot-3 outside hitter plays at Lafayette High School, near St. Louis.

As a sophomore, Witherspoon averaged 4.4 kills per set on a .379 hitting percentage. She helped Lafayette to a second straight Class 5 state title.

Harper Murray sends a kill.

Harper Murray sends a kill. / Amarillo Mullen

Nebraska is loaded with upperclassmen pin hitters, including All-Americans Harper Murray and Taylor Landfair. As for underclassmen, the Huskers boast sophomore transfer Virginia Adriano, redshirt freshman Skyler Pierce, and true freshmen Teraya Sigler and Ryan Hunter. Two pins are also committed in the 2026 class with Gabby DiVita and Jayden Robinson.

Witherspoon is the fourth known commitment for Nebraska’s 2027 class. She is joined by libero Pulelehua Laikona, middle blocker Kendall Omoruyi, and setter Malorie Boesiger.

Nebraska is coming off of a 33-3 season in which the Huskers finished as co-Big Ten Champions and made the national semifinals. Just a few months ago, head coach John Cook retired and was promptly replaced by former Husker Dani Busboom Kelly.

Stay up to date on all things Huskers by bookmarking Nebraska Cornhuskers On SI, subscribing to HuskerMax on YouTube, and visiting HuskerMax.com daily.





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Iran fall short against Germany at 2025 World Aquatics U20 Water Polo C’ships

TEHRAN – Iran beat at the 2025 World Aquatics Men’s U20 Water Polo Championships on Monday. Iran, who had defeated New Zealand 15-13, and Kazakhstan 16-9 in their first matches in Group D, will play the U.S. in the 9th to 12th classification. Iran are headed by former national team player Ali Piroozkhah. The World […]

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TEHRAN – Iran beat at the 2025 World Aquatics Men’s U20 Water Polo Championships on Monday.

Iran, who had defeated New Zealand 15-13, and Kazakhstan 16-9 in their first matches in Group D, will play the U.S. in the 9th to 12th classification.

Iran are headed by former national team player Ali Piroozkhah.

The World Aquatics Men’s U20 Water Polo Championships takes place from June 14 to 21 in Zagreb, Croatia.

Hungary are the title holders.



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WSU Cougars making changes to track and field events

PULLMAN, WA -On Monday night, June 16th, it was announced by Washington State that there will be immediate changes to their track and field program. The WSU athletic leadership met with members of the men’s and women’s track and field teams to inform them of changes. These changes to the program will shift more towards […]

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PULLMAN, WA -On Monday night, June 16th, it was announced by Washington State that there will be immediate changes to their track and field program.

The WSU athletic leadership met with members of the men’s and women’s track and field teams to inform them of changes.

These changes to the program will shift more towards a distance-focused approach.

What it means is that the field events, as jumps and throws, will no longer be supported, effective immediately.

While the number of spring and hurdle opportunities will be limited moving forward.

As for the student-athletes affected by this change, WSU will honor their scholarships should they remain at WSU.

If student-athletes wish to change schools, WSU will provide transition support and services to help those student-athletes.

These changes will make a big difference to the Cougar track and field program in the future.



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Water Polo: Macalester Places Four on Academic All-District Team

Story Links Coney Kratt Nadolski Palmer-Sammons ST. PAUL, Minn. – Four members of the Macalester College water polo team earned a spot on the At-Large Division III Academic All-District […]

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Kendall Coney 25
Coney

Jayden Kratt 25
Kratt

Alana Nadolski 25
Nadolski

Jess Palmer Sammons 25
Palmer-Sammons

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Four members of the Macalester College water polo team earned a spot on the At-Large Division III Academic All-District team, the College Sports Communicators (CSC) announced today. They are senior Kendall Coney (League City, Texas/Clear Creek) and juniors Jayden Kratt (Palo Alto, Calif./Henry M. Gunn), Alana Nadolski (Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood) and Jess Palmer-Sammons (Half Moon Bay, Calif./Half Moon Bay).

The CSC Academic All-America and All-District program honors student-athletes for excellence in both academics and athletics. Student-athletes must be a sophomore, junior or senior, have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.50 or higher and have competed in 90 percent of the team’s total games played or have started 66 percent of the team’s total games to be considered for Academic All-District and All-American accolades.

This is the third year in a row that Coney has appeared on the Academic All-District team. She received All-CWPA honorable mention after registering a career-best 21 goals in 20 games. Coney also had 12 steals and drew a team-high 34 ejections. A sociology and philosophy major, Coney also has received the ACWPC All-Academic Award following each of the last three seasons.

The Scots’ starting goalkeeper, Kratt made the All-CWPA team this spring after receiving All-CWPA honorable mention last year. Also an honorable mention All-American in 2024, she played in 18 games this year, recording 138 saves while posting an 8.94 goals against average and a .491 save percentage. Kratt is a neuroscience major who has received the ACWPC All-Academic Award twice.

Nadolski registered 17 goals and three assists for 20 points this season. A statistics and computer science major, Nadolski earned the ACWPC All-Academic Award in 2023 and 2024. She also made the All-CWPA team as a sophomore.

The CWPA 2025 Most Valuable Player, Palmer-Sammons led the Scots with 49 goals, 16 assists, 65 points and 43 steals en route to receiving All-America honorable mention from the ACWPC for the second year in a row. She closed out her standout campaign by earning a spot on the CWPA All-Tournament team after totaling eight goals and three assists in three games. A two-time ACWPC All-Academic Award recipient, Palmer-Sammons is a biology and Spanish major at Macalester.

The Scots, coached by Scott Reed, were 12-9 overall (7-1 CWPA) and took third at the CWPA Championships for the third straight season.

Click here to view the CSC release.

 



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Orioles Minor League Baseball player dies after jet ski crash in Lido Key

LIDO KEY, Fla. – A professional baseball player in the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league system has died following last Sunday’s head-on jet ski crash in Lido Key, team officials confirmed. The backstory: According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), two jet skis with two people each on board collided head-on, sending all […]

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Orioles Minor League Baseball player dies after jet ski crash in Lido Key


A professional baseball player in the Baltimore Orioles’ minor league system has died following last Sunday’s head-on jet ski crash in Lido Key, team officials confirmed.

The backstory:

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), two jet skis with two people each on board collided head-on, sending all four occupants into the water.

Luis Guevara, 19, an infielder with the Orioles’ Florida Complex League affiliate, later died at the hospital.

Photo of Luis Guevara. Courtesy: Minor League Baseball.

Photo of Luis Guevara. Courtesy: Minor League Baseball.

A native of Venezuela, Guevara signed with the Orioles in January 2023 and made his U.S. debut this season, appearing in 30 minor league games.

The FCL Orioles postponed Monday and Tuesday night’s scheduled games in the aftermath of the crash.

What they’re saying:

Orioles general manager Mike Elias released a statement, writing in part: “Luis was a beloved member of our organization, and we are devastated following his tragic passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and teammates, and we ask for their continued privacy during this difficult time.”

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The Source: This story was written with information from the Baltimore Orioles and previous FOX 13 News reports.

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Twelve Bison Earn CSC At-Large Academic All-District Honors

LEWISBURG, Pa. – A dozen student-athletes from six different sports earned spots on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) At-Large Academic All-District Teams on Tuesday.   Bucknell’s honorees were Connor Davis, Louie Germain, Owen Kovacs, and Will Pickering from men’s lacrosse; Kira Leclercq, Lily Neilson, and Nicky Punt from field hockey; Kalena Gatesman and Kona Glenn […]

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LEWISBURG, Pa. – A dozen student-athletes from six different sports earned spots on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) At-Large Academic All-District Teams on Tuesday.
 
Bucknell’s honorees were Connor Davis, Louie Germain, Owen Kovacs, and Will Pickering from men’s lacrosse; Kira Leclercq, Lily Neilson, and Nicky Punt from field hockey; Kalena Gatesman and Kona Glenn from rowing; Izzy Lippolis from women’s water polo; Sean Tunnicliff from men’s water polo; and Kurt Phipps from wrestling.
 
Neilson, a two-time All-American who earned the Christy Mathewson Award as the top athlete in Bucknell’s Class of 2025, was selected to advance to the national Academic All-America ballot. Those honorees will be announced on July 8.
 
CSC Academic All-America candidates must have a minimum 3.50 cumulative grade-point average in at least their sophomore year academically and athletically, and they must meet certain sport-specific playing-time requirements. The at-large program covers all NCAA-sponsored sports that do not have their own voting process.
 
Bucknell’s 12 at-large honorees combined for a 3.73 GPA, and all have been prominent members of their teams.
 



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