On weekday mornings, Nevada Sports Net will recap three big headlines of the day in its Morning Download. Read below for today’s topics.
1. Gabby Williams, Golden State Valkyries head to WNBA Finals Game 7
Gabby Williams and the Golden State Valkyries face a Game 7 in the WNBA Finals after falling to the Atlanta Dream, 80-69, on Thursday. The Valkyries had a chance to win their first WNBA title in the franchise’s second season of existence but was outscored by 17 points in the first quarter Thursday and never recovered. Williams, a Reed High graduate, also got off to a slow start, missing eight of her first nine shots before finding a rhythm and ending with a game-high 26 points on 8-of-22 shooting. Williams is averaging 17.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.7 steals per game, shooting 30.4 percent from the field and 22.7 percent from three. A two-time NCAA champion and two-time Olympic medalist, Williams is seeking her first WNBA title. Game 7 is set for 5 p.m. Saturday at the Chase Center. It will air on USA Network, CNBC and Peacock.
2. Wolf Pack swim and dive tops rival UNLV in dual meet
Nevada swim and dive delivered a dominant performance Thursday at Lombardi Pool, defeating in-state rival UNLV, 172.5-70.5, to improve to 3-0 on the season. The Wolf Pack won 12 of 13 events, including both relay races, as Nevada controlled the competition from start to finish. The Wolf Pack opened the meet with a victory in the 200-yard medley relay, as Molly Von Seggern, Sienna Walo, Scarlett Ferris, and Evie Floate combined for a winning time of 1 minute, 37.36 seconds to set a program record. Moji Pholjamjumrus paced Nevada with victories in the 200 individual medley (2:00.72) and the 500 freestyle (4:54.94), while helping close out the meet as part of the winning 400-yard freestyle relay team. Sienna Walo was another standout performer, capturing the 50 freestyle in 21.97 before adding a victory in the 100 freestyle with a time of 48.77. Both times lead the Mountain West. Ferris swept her individual events, winning the 100 butterfly (53.98) and 100 backstroke (54.31).
3. Nevada volleyball swept by Wyoming, loses fifth straight match
Nevada volleyball lost its fifth straight match, falling at home Thursday to Wyoming in a sweep via scores of 25-21, 25-19 and 25-15. The Wolf Pack has cratered since sweeping UTEP on Oct. 8 and 10. Since that match, Nevada has gone 0-5 while losing 15 of its 16 sets. Against Wyoming, the Wolf Pack struggled on offense, hitting just .077 in the match. Paige Thies led the Pack with eight kills. Nevada fell to 5-16 overall and 3-8 in the MW; Wyoming improved to 11-11 overall and 4-7 in the MW. The teams play again Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Virginia Street Gym.