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Voepel: Seattle identity still taking shape heading into playoffs

The Storm have been a bit of a mixed bag this season. But will their work in progress peak at the right time in the first round against defending champ Minnesota?

Sep 27 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Oregon climbs up the weekly power rankings

The Pac-12 is used to being a power in women's volleyball, but an unfamiliar team is leading the conference's charge this season and showing their power in this week's volleyball power rankings.

Sep 28 11:30 AM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Lottery has Mercury smiling but is nightmare for Mystics

Phoenix walked away with the No. 1 pick in Wednesday's WNBA draft lottery. And while it made the Mercury's day, it was the worst-case scenario for Washington, which had the best odds of winning the top pick in the lottery.

Sep 26 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Sky, Mystics, Shock and Mercury await draft lottery

Before the most anticipated draft in WNBA history, the Mystics, Shock, Sky and Mercury hope to win the No. 1 pick -- which likely will be Baylor game-changer Brittney Griner -- in Wednesday's draft lottery.

Sep 25 | By Mechelle Voepel

Mystics let Lacey go, take step in new direction

Sep 24 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Lynx are favorites in WNBA playoffs

With the league's best record and a pair of MVP candidates, defending champion Minnesota is the favorite when the 2012 WNBA playoffs open Thursday.

Sep 24 | By Mechelle Voepel

Before playoffs, all eyes on draft lottery

Sep 21 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Penicheiro gave fans plenty to appreciate

Ticha Penicheiro has just one WNBA game left before she retires. But we've witnessed many great memories from one of the greatest point guards.

Sep 20 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Clashing titans in weekly power rankings

UCLA passed last week's tests to stay atop our volleyball power rankings, but, with conference season upon us, the Bruins are set to face crosstown rival USC.

Sep 18 11:55 AM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Shin further cements Asian dominance

With the victory by South Korea's Jiyai Shin in the Women's British Open, Asian players have won all four majors for the first time in LPGA history.

Sep 17 4:51 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Douglas has Fever positioned for another playoff run

At 33, Indiana's Katie Douglas is playing as well as ever. And once again, she has her WNBA team in the hunt for a WNBA title.

Sep 17 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Irish move bolsters ACC, is big blow to Big East

From a women's sports perspective, Notre Dame is a desirable school for any league to have. For women's basketball, the Irish's move strengthens the ACC but is a big blow to the Big East.

Sep 12 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: No clear favorite for Women's British Open

No player has dominated the LPGA Tour this season, and each major has had a different winner. Will that trend continue in the Women's British Open?

Sep 17 2:49 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Pac-12 rising in weekly power rankings

UCLA jumped four spots, and Oregon is hot with an eight-slot jump in this week's volleyball power rankings. Both teams face tough tests before Pac-12 play.

Sep 11 12:56 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Shock's Johnson, Pedersen had staph infections

Tulsa Shock players Temeka Johnson and Kayla Pedersen were diagnosed with staph infections in August, causing both players to miss a handful of games

Sep 9 10:11 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Tulsa again dealing with staph infections

Kayla Pedersen and Temeka Johnson are both back on the court, but it's the third consecutive season that at least one Tulsa player has been diagnosed with staph infection.

Sep 9 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Mallon embracing role as Solheim captain

As the Ryder Cup looms, Meg Mallon is shoulder deep in preparations for the 2013 Solheim Cup and loving every minute of it. A former Solheim player and assistant captain, she knows what she's into.

Sep 5 4:03 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Lynx look unstoppable in beating Sparks

Sep 4 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Our weekly women's volleyball power rankings debut!

We debut our weekly NCAA women's volleyball power rankings with a few familiar powerhouses at the top of the list.

Sep 4 10:16 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Beard perseveres, finds right fit with Sparks

After battling back from a chronically injured left ankle that forced her to miss two seasons, Alana Beard's WNBA journey isn't over yet.

Sep 3 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Latta leads Shock past Sparks

It was supposed to be the night Tulsa welcomed back its 6-foot-8 center. Instead, 5-6 Ivory Latta was the star of the night, helping the Shock win back-to-back games for the first time this season and snap L.A.'s nine-game win streak.

Aug 30 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Leadership lacking for Dream

It's hard to be sure what is passing for leadership with the Dream franchise -- and hard to wonder how things could have been handled any worse than they have been in Atlanta.

Aug 29 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Cambage focused on rest, pro stint in China

While some peers say she is full of potential and on the road to greatness, Liz Cambage is focused on her next stop. Right now, that's an extended rest, and then a pro stint in China reportedly worth $400,000.

Aug 29 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Cambage decision shocks Tulsa brass

Former No. 2 overall draft pick Liz Cambage shocked the Tulsa brass when she announced she needs rest and wouldn't be returning for the rest of the 2012 season.

Aug 28 | By Mechelle Voepel