Monica Abbott and I were teammates on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team. We earned silver in Beijing, and since then weve kept in touch, pitcher-to-pitcher. Every time we talk, its like were just picking up where we left off.Its been incredible to see Monica develop into the star that she is, and it continues to get brighter and brighter. What I think is amazing about her is that as unbeatable as she is, she continues to get better and find a way to improve on her game and what shes been able to do -- not only for USA Softball, but for the professional league. She went 18-1 during the National Pro Fastpitch regular season and led the league in strikeouts, innings pitched and wins.Shes grown as a person, too. I watched her interview at the espnW Summit, and I just felt like a big sister in a way. Oh, my goodness! She just continues to get more beautiful and stronger from the inside-out. And so eloquent. Im so thankful that our game has her and that she represents our sport. The things shes been able to do with the Scrap Yard Dawgs with her contract -- its not only exciting for the pro league, but exciting for women in general and in professional sports.When she signed that $1 million contract, Monica broke another barrier not only in softball but all across the board in womens professional sports. Its a struggle, but its exciting to see the Scrap Yard Dawgs get creative and give women what theyre worth. Theres a lot of work to do, but the message sent by a woman being able to make that kind of money is tremendous. I give the Scrap Yard Dawgs a lot of credit for helping break that glass ceiling. Monica got to be the one to do it, and she earned it. Shes gone across the world to share our sport, too. The way shes impacted the Japanese league -- her team won the title this fall -- is awesome.Monica is definitely one of the best in our sport. Shes been dominant from the start. She doesnt have many weaknesses on the field, but she continues to work and change her game, evolve and get better. The way to get on base and score against Monica Abbott in college was to hit the ball back at her, bunt, just try to make contact. Now, shes one of the best defensive pitchers out there. Its so incredible to see her perform like a 5-foot-6, smaller, quicker pitcher out there when shes 6-3. Shes so athletic, and shes worked on every single aspect of her game, not only physically but mentally as well.Shes been able to shine bright for our sport and our women and continues to pave the way. I really admire her discipline and her perseverance. Im grateful that shes an ambassador for our game and someone for young girls to look up to. Im so happy to see what shes given of herself and achieved as a result, and I look forward to many more years of watching her dominate from the circle, whether its here in the U.S. -- and hopefully in the Olympics for 2020 -- or in Japan.More on Monica Abbott? Abbott wants change after $1 million deal Story ?? Abbott settles in with National Pro Fastpitch?Story ?? Abbott hopes to go for gold in Tokyo?Video ?? Abbotts playlist?Story ?The IMPACT25 is espnWs annual list of the 25 athletes and influencers who have made the greatest difference for women in sports. Explore the 2016 list and more content at espnW.com/IMPACT25. Kelly Oubre Jr. Suns Jersey .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. Leandro Barbosa Jersey .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. 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Saina Nehwal and B Sai Praneeth defeated their respective opponents to enter the quarterfinals of the Macau Open Grand Prix Gold on Thursday.?It was the sixth time since her return to the circuit after a knee surgery that Saina was stretched into a third game, as she?defeated Indonesias Dinar Dyah Ayustine 17-21, 21-18, 21-12 in 62 minutes.?Praneeth won 21-15 21-17 over fifth-seeded Wong Wing Ki Vincent from Hong Kong in 43 minutes.Nehwal, the top seed, will face unseeded Chinese player Yiman Zhang in the quarterfinals, while Praneeth will take on Chinas Zhao Jun Peng.With the Indonesian leading 7-6 in the first game, Nehwal won five consecutive points to get ahead 11-7. Nehwal couldnt hold on to the lead, however, as Ayustine clawed her way back with two separate bursts of three points for a 14-13 lead.Ahead 16-15, the Indonesian reeled off four straight points before sealing the game 21-17.Down 1-3 in the second game, Nehwal wwon ten straight points to lead 11-3.dddddddddddd. Nehwal failed to hold on to her lead yet again as Ayustine mounted another comeback, coming all the way back from 12-18 to 18-18. Nehwal held her nerve, however, winning the next three points to take the game 21-18.Nehwal dominated the deciding game, surging ahead from 11-9 to comfortably close it out 21-12.Parupalli Kashyap, the other Indian in the mens singles event, lost 13-21, 20-22 to Lin Yu Hsien from Chinese Taipei in 45 minutes. He had previously defeated Chinese Taipeis?Chun-Wei Chen 21-19 21-8 in the second round to reach the pre-quarters.In the mens doubles event, third seeds Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy ended their campaign in the second round after losing 20-22, 19-21 to?Singapores Danny Bawa Chrisnanta and Hendra Wijaya in 40 minutes. ' ' '