espnW

Voepel: Trying to make sense of the surprising WNBA

Two weeks after the London Olympics ended, the WNBA is back in full swing. The first full week of play was just full of surprises.

Aug 27 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Now we know who's really in charge in Atlanta

Despite leading the Dream to back-to-back WNBA Finals the past two seasons, Marynell Meadors was fired Monday. And now we know who's really in charge in Atlanta: star player Angel McCoughtry.

Aug 27 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Atlanta's McCoughtry out indefinitely

Saturday's Lynx-Dream contest is a WNBA Finals rematch that was supposed to pit the league's top scorer against the league's top team. But right now, Angel McCoughtry's puzzling absence is taking center stage.

Aug 24 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Rachael Kidder, UCLA aim to repeat

With her dad John, a former UCLA football player, cheering her on, Rachael Kidder leads the No. 1 Bruins in their quest for another title.

Aug 25 1:11 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Five burning questions for women's volleyball season

With the NCAA women's college volleyball season beginning, here is all you need to know about the teams and players chasing the title.

Aug 23 9:22 AM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Pieces fit perfectly for Silver Stars

Whether it's stars Becky Hammon and Sophia Young leading the way, or a bench making big contributions, everything is clicking for San Antonio, winner of 11 consecutive games.

Aug 21 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Dreaming of LPGA at Augusta

Now that two women have been invited to be members, it's time to dream about someday seeing an LPGA tournament at Augusta National.

Aug 20 6:52 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Mercury falling while lottery looms

The Mercury's 4-17 record might just be the result of some injury misfortune. But Diana Taurasi's continued absence has some wondering if it's part of an orchestrated plan by Phoenix to maximize its draft-lottery potential.

Aug 20 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Playoff push begins now for WNBA teams

The WNBA just had a month-long break, but the playoff push will be intense from the get-go when games resume Thursday.

Aug 15 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Ten things to take away from London

Plenty of WNBA players had big performances in London. What does it mean as the league resumes play Thursday?

Aug 13 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: U.S. women dominate from start to finish

The U.S. women got control early and went on to rout France 86-50 to win their fifth consecutive gold medal and 41st straight Olympic contest.

Aug 11 9:12 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Schedule will test Baylor's win streak

Aug 9 | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: U.S. women's basketball too good to be upset by France

France is already assured of its first women's basketball medal. But to make any run for the gold against a more talented and experienced U.S. team, France must play the best game it ever has.

Aug 9 8:25 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Deeper, more fit Team USA tops Australia

Australia gave Team USA its toughest game of the Olympics, but depth again led the Americans to victory.

Aug 9 6:41 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Australia faces tough task in semifinals

Lauren Jackson has done all she can to try to lead Australia to Olympic glory. But in a matchup most didn't expect to see until the gold-medal game, toppling Team USA in the semifinals is a tall order for the Aussies.

Aug 9 11:07 AM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Defense helps U.S. women reach semifinals

Canada came out with a great game plan, trying to slowing down games with a deliberate offense. Trouble was, it didn't make any difference against the U.S. women, who put the clamps on Canada's top scoring threats.

Aug 8 4:58 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Team USA too talented for rest of quarterfinal field

Russia, Australia and now France are all quality teams. But the U.S. women's basketball team, with its depth of talent, remains a very heavy favorite in the Olympics.

Aug 6 8:26 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Team effort propels USA past China

The U.S. women tied an American record for points in an Olympic contest and set a team record with 33 assists in crushing China 114-66 to advance to the quarterfinals as the top seed from Group A.

Aug 6 1:49 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: San Antonio the surprise 'buzz' team

Silver Spurs are the surprise 'buzz' team as the Olympics brings a month-long halt to the WNBA. Will the time off help or hurt?

Jul 16 4:54 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Yani Tseng is struggling to find her mojo

Whether due to self-doubt, a nagging injury or the pressure of constant scrutiny, world No. 1 Yani Tseng has not been herself of late.

Jul 5 9:56 AM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

With Yani Tseng struggling, field is open

With world No. 1 Yani Tseng in a baffling slide, the door is open for players such as Ai Miyazato, Inbee Park and Brittany Lang in this week's Women's Open.

Jul 5 9:57 AM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Trying times in Tulsa

In two-plus WNBA seasons in Oklahoma, the Shock has won just 11 games combined. But with the addition this year of guard Temeka Johnson and, most recently, post player Courtney Paris, there is hope for Tulsa.

Jul 3 | By Mechelle Voepel

Pak, Chuasiriporn captivated global audience

The U.S. Women's Open returns to Kohler, Wis., harkening memories of 1998's riveting playoff between amateur Jenny Chuasiriporn and future Hall of Famer Se Ri Pak.

Jul 2 4:54 PM ET | By Mechelle Voepel

Voepel: Fever glad to have January back running the point

A torn ACL forced Briann January to sit out most of last season. But as much as she missed playing, the Fever missed their top point guard, too.

Jun 28 | By Mechelle Voepel