Despite efforts, the Dallas Wings (8-20) came up short in a tightly contested 88-85 loss against the Atlanta Dream (16-11). Wings guard Haley Jones made her second appearance in the starting lineup since rejoining the team earlier in July, and did not disappoint. She recorded three assists, three rebounds and 12 points, including a 37-foot 3-pointer with the shot clock expiring to put the Wings ahead during the final stretch. Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers said since the all-star break, the Wings have improved their offensive movement and changing sides of the floor, which helped the team get open looks and read defenses. The game was back-and-forth from beginning to end and physical throughout. Dream center Brittney Griner was ejected one minute into the third quarter, which would only heighten the intensity of the game. Dream guard Allisha Gray scored 15 points and seven assists. Dream forward Naz Hillmon also came up big time for the team with 21 points, shooting 5-7 from range. To top off her performance, Hillmon sealed the game with a 3-pointer to put the Dream ahead with 2.6 seconds left in the game. The Wings faced a seven-point deficit late in the third, when the game started to get away from them. Despite their resilience, the team could not claw its way back into the game. The Wings’ defense was somewhat disorganized down the stretch which led to multiple 3-point attempts for the Dream. “In defense we need to be tougher, especially in the final stretch when it’s a tight game, but also the first half was not our best defensive half,” Wings Luisa Geiselsolder said. “I think we need to start more aggressive and not just wait for them to be aggressive.” In the fourth quarter, Wings guard Arike Ogunbowale hit a mid-range shot to tie the game at 85 apiece, sending the crowd into a frenzy with 21 seconds left on the clock. As a team, the Wings made 50% of their field goals and shot 50% from three. Bueckers led the team in scoring with 21 points and seven assists. She took over late, electrifying the arena with multiple shots made while being fouled and adding a 3-pointer in the final minutes of play. Head coach Chris Koclanes said he was proud of the team’s growth and resilience but knows they need to capitalize more. The offense is in a better place, and they need the defense to match the standard, he said. The Wings look to bounce back as they return to the American Airlines Center to host a home rematch against the Indiana Fever at 6:30 p.m. Friday in Dallas. The game will be available to stream on ION and League Pass. @tdreevess sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

As a little kid, Dana Collins said the heat at the Texas Rangers games was one of those things that fans were forced to endure. Nowadays, Irving resident Collins, 42, praises the experience in Globe Life Field, calling it “night and day” compared to The Ballpark in Arlington. While he enjoyed his time at the old ballpark, he said he likes that the new one keeps his family out of the heat. “It was good for me to kind of suffer through those things,” he said. “But that doesn't mean that I can make that a family experience all the time.” As the summer nestles itself into Texas’ typical triple-digit temperatures, the Arlington Entertainment District bustles with sports fans. Two ballparks stand a block apart, one a testament to the past, the other, a nod to the future. “When that park opened in 1994, nothing had ever been built like that in Arlington,” said John Blake, Rangers historian and senior adviser. “It was such a source of civic pride. It put us on the map nationally.” Originally designed to look older than it was, The Ballpark in Arlington was destined to lead the Rangers into the future, but struggles with the Texas heat turned some fans away. Soon, a new stadium was built, where the faithful could watch games regardless of the temperature. When the weather was right, the Rangers were the spotlight of the city, bringing in tens of thousands of fans per homestand. Over the years, the team has called three different Texas stadiums home under seven different names, each one building on the franchise’s legacy. When The Ballpark in Arlington opened, it was met with praise and applause. The MLB held the 1995 All-Star Game in Arlington’s backyard, and fans from across Dallas-Fort Worth and the United States flocked to see the ballpark. However, Texas weather won out in the end. Blake recalled a reporter checking the thermometer during a match leading up to the All-Star game – it read a blistering 120 degrees on the field. The game itself was no cooler, with over 50,000 fans dripping like popsicles. “We also had an old-timers game scheduled, and it was so hot that the old-timers only would play one inning,” he said.“After the first inning, they said, ‘we're done, it’s too hot out here.’” In the 2024 All-Star Game, hosted in the Globe Life Field, temperatures reached just shy of 100 degrees outside the air-conditioned stadium. Inside, the climate felt like a comfortable 74 degrees. Former Rangers catcher Jim Sundberg, who played in the original 1972 ballpark, said that The Ballpark in Arlington was a big upgrade, but Globe Life Field is even better. “A lot of people like [The Ballpark in Arlington], but it was just way too hot,” he said. The amenities at Globe Life Field play a big role in the experience, with staggered seating for optimal spectating and a 360-degree view of the field, Blake said. Not to mention the retractable roof, which shields the crowd from elements and amplifies their cheers into a deafening echo. While the move across the street was deemed necessary, the Rangers made every effort to memorialize the historic moments that fans hold dearly. So much so, they kept the old stadium alive and turned it into a multi-purpose conglomerate. Nods from the past are shown on each corner at Globe Life Field. Fan favorite players that left a legacy with the franchise, monumental achievements and even fun callbacks to simpler times. Chuck Morgan, executive vice president of Ballpark Entertainment, promotions, production and announcer for the Rangers, said fans would talk about the heat at every outdoor stadium the team has had. Aside from the heat that caused daily technical issues, the memory of the ballpark, now called Choctaw Stadium, rings throughout the rafters at Globe Life Field in honor of its impact on not just Rangers’ baseball, but the city of Arlington. “They’ll talk about how hot it was over there,” Morgan said. “A lot of folks who went to Arlington, sitting in those aluminum bleachers out in the outfield, how hot that was. They burned the backs of their legs on those bleachers, but most of it’s all good, they’ve all good memories over there.” @kaleivie_ @wall035203 sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Dallas Wings (7-19) suffered a crushing 106-80 defeat to the Las Vegas Aces (13-13) Sunday at College Park Center. This game drew the attention of the retired Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt. The crowd erupted as he appeared on the big screen. Coming off a narrow 86-76 loss to the Golden State Valkyries, the Wings returned home in hopes of adding an eighth win to the season. However, after its loss to the Valkyries, Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers was the first player in WNBA history to record over 350 career points and over 100 career assists in the first 20 games. Coming into this game, the Wings were without two of their key players: Bueckers, who was out on rest, and forward Myisha Hines-Allen, one of the more experienced players on the team. Forward Maddy Siegrist also remained out of play due to a knee injury suffered earlier in the season. The Wings started slow as the Aces took a 9-2 lead over them early in the first quarter. With the help of Wings guard JJ Quinerly, the team ended the first stretch tied 27-27. For the Aces, guard Jackie Young took over the first quarter, scoring 14 points, went 4-5 on 3-pointers and had a dominant half against the Wings' defense. Early in the second quarter, the Wings took a 31-29 lead over the Aces, but was short-lived with costly turnovers and fouls. The team attempted to pull back ahead, but the Wings were down by 12 points at the end of the half. The Wings struggled to find their rhythm in the third quarter, missing key shots which allowed the Aces to surge ahead and build a commanding lead. “They got way too many 50/50 balls tonight compared to what we did,” Wings guard Haley Jones said. “So, I think that we can just learn from them. They’re a championship team.” Aces forward Kierstan Bell, Young and guard Jewell Loyd were on fire. The trio recorded 63 points for the team and finished with a combined 20-33 from the field. The bench was where the Wings clicked, as center Teaira McCowan and Jones put on a dominant performance. Jones finished the game with more than 10 points and McCowan finished the game with a season high in points and rebounds. “I’m pretty proud of myself, I mean, it’s what I do,” McCowan said. “It’s what I’ve been doing my whole entire career, so I just went out there and showcased it today.” Trailing 73-58 entering the fourth quarter, the Wings attempted a comeback but ultimately fell short. The Wings return with a back-to-back home game set to play the New York Liberty at 7 p.m. Monday at College Park Center. The game will be available to stream on ESPN. “We’re just going to continue to tinker where we need to,” head coach Chris Koclanes said. “Paige wasn’t in the lineup, so there’s somebody missing that is a spark, but we’ll continue to make sure we’re doing everything we can to have the best combinations out there to give us the best chance of winning.” @tracysansomjr sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Robert “Snake” LeGrand, a former UTA men’s basketball head coach well known for his extensive kindness and ties to the community, died at 81 Saturday in Arlington. LeGrand, nicknamed “Snake” for his gliding movements on the court, was a decorated coach with high school and collegiate experience. But his legacy does not end at the court. He was a father, a mentor, and to many, a friend who led with compassion and care. Ricky French, a longtime friend and former vice principal of the high school LeGrand’s son attended, said the coach always cared for others and never treated anyone like a stranger. French recalled a trip to the 2012 Olympics in London, where even overseas, LeGrand ran into people whose lives he had touched. “That’s just the kind of guy he was, you know,” French said. “When he was your friend, trust me, he was your friend. He had your back.” LeGrand initially joined UTA as the assistant head coach of the UTA men’s basketball team. As head coach from 1976 to 1987, he left a lasting legacy and helped open doors for those who followed. Under LeGrand’s leadership, UTA recorded its first 20-win season and saw its first National Invitation Tournament in 1981. He also helped lay the foundation for the university’s wheelchair basketball program, originally known as the Freewheelers before becoming the Movin’ Mavs, according to a UTA press release. Through highs and lows, Snake left his mark not only on the basketball program but on the state of Texas. He was the first Black head coach in Texas NCAA Division I and UTA history, while being the first coach to reach 100 wins at the university. “He just exemplified everything that athletics is supposed to teach you,” French said. Before UTA, LeGrand attended three colleges. He first enrolled at Central State University but left after a year to join the Air Force. After his discharge in 1967, LeGrand returned to school at St. Mary’s University, where he played basketball and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and government. LeGrand graduated from St. Mary’s University in 1970 and earned a master’s degree in counseling from Southwest Texas State University, now known as Texas State University, in 1974. He was inducted into St. Mary’s Men’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 1987. He spent the latter years of his career as a counselor at Lamar High School in Arlington. After more than a decade, he retired but stayed busy running a T-shirt business, Sports N Goods 4 U. LeGrand became a regular at J. Gilligan’s after his time at UTA. Owner Randy Ford, who first met him there, said LeGrand always arrived with a group of friends. “He was always just so full of life, he was always happy,” Ford said. “ I don’t know that I ever saw him at Gilligan’s in a bad mood. He knew everybody.” LeGrand was a beloved figure at J. Gilligan’s, where photos of him hang around the bar and grill. Just the mention of his name would bring people to a smile. His impact is duly noted in the history of Arlington. He is survived by his wife, Gloria LeGrand, his children Brian, Chris, Bobby, Aurice, Lisa, Brianna and 10 grandchildren. “He was a wonderful ambassador for UTA and our athletics programs and a pillar within this community,” said Jon Fagg, UTA director of Intercollegiate Athletics, in a press release. “We will greatly miss having him around the College Park Center and his spirit and legacy will live on for generations to come.” @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Returning from the All-Star break, the Texas Rangers opened the second half of the regular season with a 2-0 win against the Detroit Tigers on Friday at Globe Life Field. The Rangers went into the break with a 2-1 series win against the Houston Astros. The team holds a third-place standing in the American League West and is pegged at 17th in the MLB. Over the break, history was made at the T-Mobile Home Run Derby, with Cal Raleigh being the first ever catcher to win a derby Monday in Atlanta, Georgia. The following day, the MLB showcased the league's finest in the 95th annual All-Star Game on Tuesday. Rangers pitcher Jacob deGrom, the team’s lone nomination, earned his fifth All-Star nod but did not take to the mound in his first as a Ranger. Ahead of the trade deadline, the Rangers sent pitcher Dane Dunning to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for pitcher José Ruiz and cash considerations. Ruiz was optioned to Round Rock Express following the deal. The Rangers leaned on their minor league affiliates to manage their 40-man roster before their opening game against the Tigers. The team selected contracts for Round Rock Express first baseman Rowdy Tellez and infielder Cody Freeman after outfielder Sam Haggerty was placed on the 10-day injured list. Defensive efficiency defined the early innings of the game, as both teams managed only four combined hits and stranded five runners over the first four innings. Pitching was the definitive doorstop for halting both teams’ offenses. The opening pitchers recorded six strikeouts each, with the relievers adding several to total 18 strikeouts throughout the game for both teams. “I can’t say enough about what our pitching did tonight, it’s a tough lineup and well-played game, but it’s good to get off to a start like this,” Rangers manager Bruce Bochy said. The earliest action for the Rangers came from an error produced by Detroit’s shortstop Javier Báez, which allowed Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka to reach third and catcher Jonah Heim to first. Both were left on base after a strikeout from shortstop Corey Seager ended the third inning. Approaching the final stretch, Seager drove it down center field to net a double RBI in the bottom of the eighth that landed him at second base. A flyout by second baseman Marcus Semien left Seager on base and ended the inning 2-0. The Tigers looked for a hole in the Rangers' defense in their final at-bats in the top of the ninth, but a groundout and two strikeouts by reliever Robert Garcia earned him the save and a Ranger win. “It’s good for these guys, we’re doing some good things here offensively,” Bochy said. “Didn’t score a lot of runs today, but when you get to that mark, you keep losing that one game to get you [over .500]. These guys should feel good about it.” The Rangers resume their nine-game homestand with the mid-series match against the Tigers on Saturday at 6:05 p.m. at Globe Life Field. The team will only see one off day during their trio of series. Streaming for the series is available on Rangers Sports Network and Victory+. @kaleivie_ sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Women’s Volleyball Nations League wrapped up its final week of preliminaries with a 3-2 loss for No. 8 Team USA against No. 5 China on Sunday at College Park Center. China snapped Team USA’s five-game run while extending its own to four. The victory marked China’s ninth win in the 2025 VNL. With multiple core rotation changes and several new players on the roster, Team USA faced tribulations early in the preliminary round. After rallying in week two, the team finished week three 3-1 and closed out the phase with seven wins in 12 matches. “Obviously when you make changes, you expect maybe the flow to change a little bit,” head coach Erik Sullivan said. “I thought our players did a good job of staying in our systems and competing real hard.” China stumbled early in the game, letting Team USA quickly take control and win the first two sets. Miscommunication and errors put China in an early hole. The U.S. used its size and power to overwhelm China with strong serves and aggressive net play, deepening China’s early deficit further. By set three, Team USA had conditioned China to expect heavy spikes, creating gaps in coverage that allowed well-placed dinks to land. However, China looked refreshed after the break and cut down on errors. They took the next two sets to even the match, but Team USA held firm as they battled through the fifth set in search of a win. Setter Rachel Fairbanks said China has a unique play style compared to other teams they recently faced. Even with scouting, she said it's up to them to compete against every team. Point-defining blocks and diving saves fueled a back-and-forth battle, drawing shouts from fans with each rally. The arena shook with energy as the match reached a fever pitch. With the fifth set tied at 16, China gained the upper hand and drove in the dagger that sent Team USA into the final plunge to end the set 18-16. Women’s VNL play ramps up for the final week as Team USA and 17 other national teams head into the elimination round in Łódź, Poland. The quarterfinals begin July 23 with the semifinals starting July 26 and the finals happening the following day to wrap up the week. The quarterfinals opening game will have Team USA challenge defending champions No. 1 Italy. The elimination bracket match-ups are available to view on Volleyball World, with all matches set to be available for streaming on VBTV. “We’ll go back to Anaheim and start training, work through some kinks,” libero Morgan Hentz said. “There’s definitely things we can get better at and focus on, so I think it's just that mindset of trying to get 1% better every day.” @kaleivie_