Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo Sets NCAA Record for Steals in Sweet 16 Win

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In a 67-64 Sweet 16 victory over Vanderbilt, Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo set the NCAA single-season record for steals with 10, pushing her total for the year to a new high mark. Hidalgo's triple-double of 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals showcased her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor, blurring the traditional boundaries between offensive and defensive roles for elite guards.

Why it matters

Hidalgo's record-breaking performance highlights a growing trend in women's college basketball where teams are increasingly valuing guards who can anchor a team's identity through disruptive defense and efficient transition offense. Her versatility challenges the traditional separation of roles, suggesting a new archetype for how a single player can tilt the entire tempo and strategy of a game.

The details

Hidalgo finished the Sweet 16 game against Vanderbilt with 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals, becoming the first player in NCAA Division I history to record a triple-double with at least 10 steals. Her 10 steals on the night pushed her season total to a new single-season record, surpassing the previous marks set by Ticha Penicheiro in 1998 and Emily Engstler in 2022.

• Hidalgo had 7 steals by halftime of the Sweet 16 game against Vanderbilt.
• Hidalgo's 10 steals in the game set a new single-season NCAA Division I record.

What’s next

Notre Dame now advances to the Elite Eight, where they will face the winner of the UConn vs. North Carolina matchup. Hidalgo's continued defensive dominance could push Notre Dame into a rarified space where their identity-driven defense creates offense at an elite rate.