Hannah Hidalgo Leads Notre Dame to Elite Eight After Near Quadruple-Double

Why this matters: Hidalgo's performance underscores her status as one of the top players in college basketball, while Notre Dame's victory highlights their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. This win propels them further in the NCAA tournament, increasing their chances of competing for a national championship.

Notre Dame's journey to the Elite Eight was marked by a significant defensive effort, spearheaded by ACC Defensive Player of the Year Hannah Hidalgo. The Fighting Irish disrupted Vanderbilt's offensive flow, forcing turnovers and limiting the effectiveness of Mikayla Blakes. Vanderbilt's inability to protect the ball, coupled with Blakes' shooting struggles, proved too much to overcome.

Hidalgo's impact extended beyond scoring, as she controlled the game with her rebounding and steals. Her leadership and determination were evident, inspiring her teammates to elevate their play. Notre Dame's ability to maintain composure in the face of Vanderbilt's comeback attempt demonstrated their growth and maturity as a team.

The victory sets up an Elite Eight matchup against either UConn or North Carolina, presenting another challenge for the Fighting Irish. To advance further, they will need to continue their strong defensive play and rely on Hidalgo's all-around brilliance.

Hidalgo recorded 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals.

She broke the NCAA single-season steals record, finishing with 199 steals.

Vanderbilt committed a season-high 23 turnovers.

Notre Dame will face the winner of the UConn vs. North Carolina game.

Do you think Notre Dame has what it takes to make it to the Final Four? Let us know in the comments!

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