Virginia
Alabama softball rallies back to beat Virginia Tech in Tuscaloosa Regional
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Call her Kali Clutch.
When Alabama softball’s bats have needed a boost in the weekend’s Tuscaloosa Regional, Kali Heivilin has had the answer. After sparking the Crimson Tide’s offense in an opening win against Jackson State on Friday night, the senior second baseman was back at it again Saturday, providing the go-ahead home run in Alabama’s 4-3 victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday.
“I kind of just go out there and understand that, ‘Hey, it’s your time to do something,’” Heivilin said following the win. “I just told myself put the ball in play, Audrey [Vandagriff’s] fast, something will happen.”
Alabama, which earned the No. 15 national seed in the NCAA Tournament, is now one win away from reaching its third straight super regional. The Tide will look to clinch the regional on Sunday as it plays either Virginia Tech, Belmont or Jackson State. Whichever one of those opponents ends up playing Alabama will need to beat the Tide twice to advance.
They’ll also need to solve Heivlin, something Alabama’s first two opponents have been unable to do this weekend.
Heivilin went 1-for-1 with a pair of walks against Virginia Tech, belting a two-run home run over the centerfield fence to give Alabama a 3-2 lead in the bottom third. Through two games in the regional, the senior is 3-for-4 with three walks, two runs and four RBIs.
During Friday’s win over JSU, Heivilin legged out a two-out infield single to score Alabama’s first run in the bottom of the third. That prompted a four-run rally, which ultimately led to a run-rule win over the Tigers.
Saturday’s victory over Virginia Tech required a bit more drama.
Alabama spotted the Hokies a pair of runs in the first inning as starting pitcher Jocelyn Briski struggled with her control. The Tide ace walked the first two batters of the frame before ultimately giving up a pair of earned runs on three hits.
Virginia Tech appeared to take a 3-0 lead on a two-run single to left with three outs. However, upon review, it was determined that left fielder Lauren Johnson’s throw to the plate beat Virginia Tech’s Bre Peck to the plate for the third out of the inning.
Heads-up baserunning allowed the Tide to get a run back in the bottom of the third as Brooke Ellestad scored from second on a dropped third strike with one out.
“That was all her,” Alabama head coach Patrick said of Ellestad’s decision to bolt for home. “She read the dropped third strike, and then she was past third andd on the throw, she took off. Seriously, it was all her. Very aggressive, and she made it easy. It wasn’t even close.”
With Alabama trailing 2-1, Audrey Vandagriff led off the bottom of the third with a walk before stealing second and advancing to third on a throwing error. The stolen base was Vandagriff’s 50th of the year, making her just the third Alabama player to achieve the feat in a single season.
Virginia Tech challenged the steal, arguing Vandagriff left first base too early. However, the call on the field was upheld, setting up Heivilin’s heroics two batters later.
“The challenge about her leaving early, she said something to me at third like, ‘I never leave early,’” Murphy said of his conversation with Vandagriff during the challenge. “I was like, ‘Please God, not this time.’ But that’s what you need from a baserunner — no fear at all of getting thrown out, and whatever happens happens.”
After a tumultuous first inning in the circle, Briski rebounded to pitch around trouble for the remainder of the game. The Alabama ace went a full seven innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits while striking out five batters
Briski forced Virginia Tech to strand runners in scoring position in the first, second, fourth and seventh innings. After allowing the Hokies to cut Alabama’s lead to 4-3 with a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning, she retired eight of the final 11 batters she faced to close out the win.
“A lot of time, when I get into that trouble it’s the walks and everything,” Heiviln said when asked about her ability to rebound in the circle. “So being able to throw strikes, get ahead of the batters is the key in those kind of situations. Just trusting the defense to work. It’s just first-pitch strikes, second-pitch strikes and getting in the 1-2, 0-2 counts definitely allows me to use more of my chase pitches and everything. So I think that definitely made a big difference.”
Virginia
Virginia Roberts Giuffre: Epstein accuser’s memoir sells 1m copies in two months
A posthumous memoir by one of Jeffrey Epstein’s best-known accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, has sold 1m copies worldwide in just the two months after its release.
Publisher Alfred A Knopf announced on Tuesday that more than half the sales for Nobody’s Girl came out of North America; in the US, the book is now in its 10th printing after an initial run of 70,000 copies. Giuffre’s book, co-written by author-journalist Amy Wallace, was published in early October.
The memoir helped revive criticism of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly a British prince, whom Giuffre alleged had sex with her when she was 17. And it heightened demands that the Justice Department release its files on Epstein, who killed himself in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Giuffre died by suicide in April at age 41.
“This is a bittersweet moment for us,” Giuffre’s family, including siblings Sky Roberts and Danny Wilson, said in a statement. “We are enormously proud of our sister, and the impact she continues to have on the world. We’re also filled with so much sorrow that she couldn’t be here to witness the impact of her words. In her absence, our family remains committed to ensuring her voice is everlasting.”
Within weeks of Giuffre’s book being published, King Charles III stripped Mountbatten-Windsor of his remaining titles and evicted him from his royal residence.
Mountbatten-Windsor has long denied Giuffre’s claims but stepped down from royal duties after a disastrous November 2019 BBC interview in which he attempted to rebut her allegations.
He paid millions in an out-of-court settlement in 2022 after Giuffre filed a civil suit against him in New York. While he didn’t admit wrongdoing, he acknowledged Giuffre’s suffering as a victim of sex trafficking.
This week Giuffre’s family expressed their “deep disappointment” after the Metropolitan police announced Mountbatten-Windsor will not face a criminal investigation in the UK over allegations against him.
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In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In the UK, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. Other international suicide helplines can be found at befrienders.org
Virginia
Virginia voters nominate candidates in Fairfax, Prince William ahead of January special election – WTOP News
Voters in several Northern Virginia districts are nominating candidates Tuesday who could be elected to serve on the state’s House of Delegates.
Voters in several Northern Virginia districts are nominating candidates Tuesday who could be elected to serve on the state’s House of Delegates.
Whoever wins Tuesday’s contests will compete in a special election on Jan. 13, 2026, for vacated seats in the Virginia General Assembly, where Democrats currently hold a 63-37 majority.
The series of shake-ups comes as several Democratic lawmakers step down from the House of Delegates to join Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger’s administration.
Two of the resigning lawmakers represent Northern Virginia: Del. David Bulova, of Fairfax City and Fairfax County; and Del. Candi Mundon King, of Prince William and Stafford counties.
Last week, Spanberger named Bulova as her pick for Virginia’s next secretary of natural and historic resources.
And the future governor tapped King to serve as the secretary of the commonwealth.
Each party has until Dec. 17 to submit a nominee to the Virginia Board of Elections for next month’s special election, according to a writ of special elections filed by Virginia House Speaker Don Scott.
District 11: Fairfax City and part of Fairfax County
Democrats
Five candidates are running for the Democratic nomination in a firehouse primary, including the exiting delegate’s wife, Gretchen Bulova, as well as Vanessa Cardenas, So Lim, Douglas Shuster and Denver Supinger.
Any voter registered in Virginia House of Delegates District 11 can participate — but they have to sign a declaration of support for the Democratic Party, according to the democratic committees in Fairfax County and Fairfax City. In a firehouse primary, the political parties organize the contest, not the state.
District 11 includes all of Fairfax City and portions of Fairfax County. If you’re not sure whether your home sits within the district’s boundaries, check out this website.
The caucus locations are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at these locations:
- Fairfax Presbyterian Church at 10723 Main Street
- Jim Scott Community Center at 3001 Vaden Drive
- Fairfax County Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway
Gretchen Bulova is the chair of the Fairfax County 250th Commission and the county’s history commission.
Cardenas is also a Fairfax City resident who works as the executive director of America’s Voice, which works to garner support for policy changes that create paths toward full citizenship for immigrants.
At a candidate forum on Sunday, Lim introduced herself as a progressive Democrat. She served three terms on the Fairfax City Council.
Shuster is the president of the Miller Heights Neighborhood Association and works at an advisory firm.
Supinger, former chief of staff to Del. Karrie Delaney, is the founder of a consulting firm that specializes in social impact strategy, political advocacy, and policymaking, according to its website.
It’s the second time Fairfax voters have participated in a firehouse primary this year, after earlier nominating candidates who competed to replace the late Rep. Gerry Connolly in June. Democrat James Walkinshaw ultimately won that special election in September.
Republicans
The Fairfax County Republican Committee confirmed with WTOP that Adam Wise will be the nominee, and there will be no caucus held.
Wise had previously run for the District 11 seat in November but lost to David Bulova, the incumbent.
District 23: Parts of Prince William and Stafford
Democrats
A Democratic caucus will also be going on in Virginia House of Delegates District 23 on Tuesday, according to the Democratic committees in Prince William and Stafford counties.
The caucus is scheduled to run from noon to 7 p.m. at these locations:
- Dumfries Community Center at 17757 Main Street, Dumfries
- Porter Branch Library at 2001 Parkway Boulevard, Stafford
Two candidates qualified to be on the ballot: Woodbridge Supervisor Margaret Franklin and Muhammed “Sef” Casim.
WTOP will report on the full ballot once the Republican nominee is finalized.
What’s happening in January
Voters in District 23 and District 11 will head to the polls on Jan. 13, 2026, for a special election to replace Dels. Bulova and King.
Early voting will be open from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10.
Outside of Northern Virginia, a separate special election is being held on Jan. 6, 2026, to replace representatives headed to Spanberger’s administration. Voters in the Richmond area will elect a new state senator in House District 15 and a new delegate in District 77.
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Virginia
Top 25 Virginia Girls High School Basketball State Rankings – Dec. 15, 2025
The high school basketball season is underway in Virginia and it’s time to unveil the first High School on SI girls Top 25 of the regular season.
Princess Anne, the preseason No. 1, remains at the top, followed by The Saint James Performance Academy. Bishop Ireton, Catholic-Virginia Beach and Menchville complete the Top 5.
The second 5 include Virginia Academy, Saint Anne’s-Belfield School, Osbourn Park, Saint Paul VI Catholic and Shining Stars Sports Academy. Shining Stars moved into the Top 10 after defeating then-No. 7 Norfolk Christian Academy at the She Got Game Classic at The St. James Complex in Northern Virginia over the weekend.
Five teams – Clarke County, Briar Woods, Loudoun Valley, Potomac Falls and Washington-Liberty – enter this week’s poll.
Here’s this week’s High School on SI Virginia girls basketball Top 25:
Preseason rank: No. 1
Record: 5-0
The Cavaliers are averaging nearly 80 points a game.
Preseason rank: No. 2
Record: 5-2
The Strivers’ two losses have been by a total of 18 points.
Preseason rank: No. 5
Record: 4-1
The Cardinals defeated then-No. 4 Osbourn Park at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 3
Record: 4-4
The Crusaders went 1-2 at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 6
Record: 4-0
The Monarchs topped Rosedale Christian Academy (Md.) and Mallard Creek (N.C.) at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 8
Record: 6-0
The Patriots have wins over then-No. 9 Saint Anne’s-Belfield School and Maryland Top 25 schools Elizabeth Seton, St. Mary’s Ryken and Our Lady of Good Counsel.
Preseason rank: No. 9
Record: 6-2
The Saints split two matches at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 4
Record: 4-2
The Yellowjackets defeated Saint Neumann-Goretti (Pa.) and Southern-Garrett before falling to then-No. 5 Bishop Ireton at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 10
Record: 4-2
The Panthers dropped decisions to then-No. 4 Osbourn Park and Christ the King (N.Y.) at the Art Turner Memorial.
Preseason rank: No. 11
Record: 5-2
The Panthers handled then-No. 7 Norfolk Christian Academy at the She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 7
Record: 3-3
The Ambassadors have dropped decisions to then-No. 5 Bishop Ireton and then-No. 11 Shining Stars Sports Academy.
Preseason rank: No. 12
Record: 4-1
The Lancers’ only setback came against No. 1 Princess Anne.
Preseason rank: No. 13
Record: 5-1
The Knights dropped a 57-48 decision to then-No. 6 Menchville in the opening week.
Preseason rank: No. 14
Record: 5-2
The Panthers have won five straight, including victory over Whitney Young (Ill.) at She Got Game Classic.
Preseason rank: No. 18
Record: 4-0
The Wolverines have won their four decisions by an average of 31 points.
Preseason rank: No. 22
Record: 6-0
After back-to-back two-point wins (then-No. 20 Centreville and then-No. 23 Gainesville), the Saxons routed Lake Braddock and West Springfield.
Preseason rank: No. 23
Record: 6-1
The Cardinals’ only blemish is a two-point loss to Langley.
Preseason rank: No. 15
Record: 5-1
The Stallions dropped a 56-534 decision to Gainesville in the season opener.
Preseason rank: Not ranked
Record: 5-0
The Eagles own a pair of victories over Loudoun Valley.
Preseason rank: Not ranked
Record: 4-0
The Falcons opened the season with a win over then-No. 16 Heritage.
Preseason rank: Not ranked
Record: 5-2
The Vikings are riding a three-game winning streak after loss to Clarke County.
Preseason rank: Not ranked
Record: 5-1
The Panthers own victories over then-No. 16 Heritage and then-No. 19 Chantilly.
Preseason rank: No. 19
Record: 5-1
The Chargers’ only loss is a 44-43 decision to Potomac Falls.
Preseason rank: No. 20
Record: 3-2
The Wildcats’ losses to Langley and Gainesville are by a total of seven points.
Preseason rank: Not ranked
Record: 4-1
The Generals have won four straight by a margin of 44 points.
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