Notre Dame Women's Basketball Star Hannah Hidalgo Shines in Sweet 16

Junior guard leads Fighting Irish to Elite Eight with standout performance

Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:04pm

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A cubist-inspired painting depicting a women's basketball player in motion, with her figure broken down into overlapping geometric shapes in shades of navy, gold, and white, conveying the energy and movement of the game.Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo showcases her dynamic playmaking abilities, leading the Fighting Irish to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.Fort Worth Today

Notre Dame women's basketball junior guard Hannah Hidalgo had a breakout performance in the team's Sweet 16 victory over Vanderbilt, helping the Fighting Irish advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Hidalgo and senior teammate KK Bransford spoke to reporters after the game, discussing Hidalgo's impact and Notre Dame's tournament run.

Why it matters

Hidalgo's emergence as a star player has been a key factor in Notre Dame's deep NCAA Tournament run this year. As a junior, she is poised to lead the Fighting Irish to potentially their first national championship since 2018, which would be a significant accomplishment for the storied program.

The details

In Notre Dame's 76-68 win over Vanderbilt, Hidalgo scored a team-high 22 points and dished out 6 assists to power the Fighting Irish offense. Her ability to create scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates was instrumental in the victory. Hidalgo has steadily improved throughout the season and is now playing her best basketball at the most crucial time of the year.

  • Notre Dame beat Vanderbilt 76-68 in the NCAA Women's Basketball Sweet 16 on March 28, 2026.
  • The Fighting Irish advanced to the Elite Eight, where they will face 2-seed UConn on March 30, 2026.

The players

Hannah Hidalgo

A junior guard for the Notre Dame women's basketball team who had a standout performance in the Sweet 16, scoring a team-high 22 points and dishing out 6 assists to lead the Fighting Irish to victory.

KK Bransford

A senior guard for the Notre Dame women's basketball team who spoke to reporters alongside Hidalgo after the Sweet 16 win.

UConn

The 2-seed that Notre Dame will face in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Hannah really stepped up for us tonight. She's been playing great all season, and this was her biggest game yet.”

— KK Bransford, Senior Guard, Notre Dame Women's Basketball

What’s next

Notre Dame will face 2-seed UConn in the Elite Eight on March 30, 2026, with a chance to advance to the Final Four.

The takeaway

Hidalgo's breakout performance in the Sweet 16 has elevated her status as one of the top players in women's college basketball. Her continued development and leadership will be crucial as Notre Dame seeks its first national championship in nearly a decade.