The daily pitch from staff writer : July 9, 2026
· Yahoo Sports
Jul. 9—Three reasons we love sports today
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The Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games are still two years away, but former Illinois All-American and two-time Olympic medalist is still playing at a high level as Team USA's captain. She helped the U.S. reach the top of the Volleyball Nations League table Wednesday with a sweep of Thailand.
➜. Wednesday's off day allows for some World Cup reflection. Team USA isn't as bad as the loss to Belgium indicated. Norway's is a physical marvel. And is an ageless wonder.
"EA Sports College Football 27" is available in full Friday. Advance copies, though, have revealed surprise microtransactions replacing once free options. Several content creators have spoken out against that change. Shoutout to them.
The ATP doubles world ranking for . Notable when you consider the former Illinois All-American is one win away from making the Wimbledon doubles final. Kovacevic and his partner will play No. 1-seeded and at 8:30 a.m. in Thursday's second semifinal. Kovacevic and Kokkinakis, who is ranked 1,305th in ATP's doubles rankings, are the only unseeded team left standing.
Crowd control
Three events I'm paying attention to
Remember when hit that buzzer beater to send Urbana Middle School to the state finals? Now, one of C-U's own could make his professional debut (6:30 p.m., Thursday, Prime) with the Hornets.
Most basketball fans see this matchup and think going head-to-head against — No. 1 versus No. 2. Illinois fans will tune in (8 p.m., Thursday ESPN) to see (Utah Jazz) and (Washington Wizards).
This showdown (10 p.m., Thursday, ESPN) between lottery pick point guards does include an Illini star. The Clippers could have picked but they went with former Illinois All-American instead.
Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Tara Davis-Woodhall and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden.
"Outer Banks."
loud chewing.