Keep up to date with our weekly links to women's sports highlights
Updates from the “Big Dance”First-round action from the 2008 NCAA women's basketball tournament had a few hits and misses. Not expected by many of the experts to even earn a bid to this year's tournament, Florida State pulled off the biggest surprise upset, defeating Ohio State, 60-49. But if the Seminoles want to continue their underdog journey to the Final Four, they will have to get through No. 3 seed Oklahoma State in the second round. Among the No. 1 seeds, Maryland struggled in the beginning half of its match-up against Coppin State before pulling together an 80-66 win. The Terrapins didn't seem to have the same fight and determination we've seen during the regular season. Check out ESPN's tournament homepage for more updates on the other first-round match-ups…
Catch the ActionTune in to ESPN2 for coverage of the 2008 NCAA women's basketball tournament. Second-round action takes place March 24 and 25 in all four regions. Key match-ups include a face-off between neighboring squads Old Dominion and Virginia. Both teams have had similarly successful seasons, and this game is sure to be a fight until the last second, as it should be, because a win this week means a spot in the Sweet 16.
Ivanovic Crushes Kuznetsova for Indian Wells TitleYoung Serbian Ana Ivanovic defeated Russian Svetlana Kuzetsova 6-4, 6-3 to win the women's title at the 2008 Pacific Life Open. Currently ranked No. 2 in the world, Ivanovic headed into the Indian Wells tournament as the No. 1 seeded player as top tennis phenom Justine Henin chose not to compete. The victory was Ivanoic's fifth win over Kuznetsova and her sixth career victory in a finals match.
Torres to Head U.S. Women's Team for 2008 World Cross CountryKatie McGregor will lead the U.S. women's world cross country team to Edinburgh, Scotland, for the 2008 World Cross Country Championships. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) event will be held on March 30 and feature teams, and some Olympic hopefuls, from around the world. With more than 10 previous world championship appearances among the members of the team, the United States has experience of its side. McGregor will be joined by Renee Metivier-Baillie, Kathy Newberry, Emily Brown, Molly Huddle and Amy Hastings, who is making her first IAAF world championship appearance.
Stephanie Gilmore Wins 2008 Rip Curl Women's ProPulling off the ride of the day, reigning ASP women's world champion Stephanie Gilmore won the 2008 Rip Curl Women's Pro. The Aussie defeated this year's current top surfer, Peruvian Sofia Mulanovich, with a 9.33 out of 10 score in this season's second event. Gilmore's win launches her from ninth in the overall standings up to second, right behind Mulanovich.
Arizona Wins Big at 2008 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving ChampionshipsThe Arizona Wildcats won the 2008 NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships this past week at Ohio State's McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion. Accumulating 484 team points during the three-day competition, Arizona finished more than 130 points ahead of second-placed Auburn. A stand-out athlete from the meet, sophomore Gemma Spofforth from the University of Florida followed up a victory in the 100-yard backstroke by repeating as NCAA champion in the 200 backstroke. Rebecca Soni of Southern California won the 200 breaststroke, setting an NCAA meet record with a time of 2:06.32.
United States Struggles at 2008 World Figure Skating Championships Hoping for a strong showing, the U.S. women's figure skaters struggled at the 2008 World Figure Skating Championships. The United States' hope of keeping its three spots in the next year's world championships melted with falls and missteps. Kimmie Meissner had a strong showing during the short program, but fell twice during the long program, landing her in seventh place. Meissner's finish was the best for the United States as Bebe Liang and Ashley Wagner finished 10th and 16th, respectively.
NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Champions are CrownedThe University of Minnesota Duluth won the NCAA Division I women's ice hockey title this past weekend on its home ice. The Bulldogs won a shut-out showdown against the University of Wisconsin, earning its fourth NCAA championship in eight years. Minnesota Duluth finishes the year with a record of 34-3-1. Five Bulldogs were named to the 2008 Frozen Four All-Tournament team by the media. In Division III action defending champions Plattsburgh State successfully retained its ice hockey crown after a 3-2 victory over Manhattanville. The Cardinals have become only the third team in Division III history to win multiple women's ice hockey championships.
U.S. Softball Warms Up for What Could be its Last At-BatIn a whirlwind tour of the country, the U.S. National Softball Team is preparing for Olympic action with 62 games against collegiate and other women's softball teams. For many of the players this may be the only, or last, time they compete for the gold medal. In 2005 the International Olympic Committee voted to eliminate softball, along with baseball, from the 2012 Games. Just in its infancy as an Olympic sport, softball's first appearance came in the 1996 Olympic Games. While it seems to be gaining global appeal, the IOC has only given a slight possibility of reinstating the event for the 2016 Games.