Notre Dame, Vanderbilt Clash in Sweet 16 Showdown

Fighting Irish look to continue Cinderella run against SEC Player of the Year Mikayla Blakes and the Commodores

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:03pm

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After losing 10 games during the regular season, the No. 6 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish have defied expectations to reach the Sweet 16 of the Women's NCAA Tournament. Led by ACC Player and Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame will face off against Vanderbilt and star scorer Mikayla Blakes, the nation's leading scorer, in a Fort Worth Regional semifinal matchup.

Why it matters

Notre Dame's improbable tournament run has been fueled by the team's resilience and growth, overcoming a roster overhaul to return to the Sweet 16 for the fifth consecutive year. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt's high-powered offense led by Blakes poses a formidable challenge as the Commodores look to continue their own Cinderella story.

The details

Notre Dame brought back just three players from last season's team, leading coach Niele Ivey to wonder if the new-look roster could come together in time. But the Fighting Irish have found their stride, with Hidalgo emerging as a dominant two-way force. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, has been led by Blakes, the SEC Player of the Year who is averaging a nation-best 27 points per game in the NCAA Tournament.

  • The Notre Dame-Vanderbilt Sweet 16 matchup will take place on Friday, March 28, 2026.
  • Hidalgo was named ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year for the 2025-26 season.

The players

Hannah Hidalgo

The No. 3 scorer in women's basketball this season at 25.2 points per game, Hidalgo was voted ACC Player of the Year and ACC Defensive Player of the Year. She will be crucial in slowing down Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes.

Mikayla Blakes

The SEC Player of the Year, Blakes led the nation in scoring at 27 points per game during the 2025-26 season. She has continued her dominant play in the NCAA Tournament, scoring 30 points in Vanderbilt's opening-round rout of High Point.

Niele Ivey

The head coach of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Ivey has guided her team to the Sweet 16 despite significant roster turnover from last season.

Iyana Moore

A four-year player at Vanderbilt who transferred to Notre Dame for her final season, Moore provides the Fighting Irish with unique insight into the Commodores.

Cassandre Prosper

A fifth-year senior at Notre Dame, Prosper has been part of the Fighting Irish's five consecutive Sweet 16 appearances.

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What they’re saying

“Not a lot of people believed in us to get here. For me, especially coming back here with Notre Dame, Sweet 16, you know, we've been here five years in a row. I think this year is especially special because we came a long way. I think we had seven transfers and then we were only three returners coming back to Notre Dame, so just to see the journey that we've had and the growth that we've had to be back in this moment right here is really — I think it's just a great opportunity. It's beautiful to see our growth really as a team.”

— Cassandre Prosper, Notre Dame Senior

“Obviously we all know she's the No. 1 scorer in the country, but just the way she's able to put the ball in the hoop, it's unlike I feel like I've ever seen. Like Caitlin type of level. She can score on all three levels, whether that's getting all the way to the basket, her midrange or her three. Of course, that's always tough to guard.”

— Hannah Hidalgo, Notre Dame Junior

What’s next

The winner of the Notre Dame-Vanderbilt matchup will advance to the Elite Eight round of the Women's NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Notre Dame's improbable tournament run has showcased the team's resilience and growth, overcoming a roster overhaul to return to the Sweet 16. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt's high-powered offense led by Mikayla Blakes poses a formidable challenge as the Commodores look to continue their own Cinderella story in the tournament.