The first two seasons for Hannah Hidalgo were a dream. Notre Dame women's basketball was one of the top teams in the country, and it was expected that the Irish would go far in the NCAA tournament. While that was what was expected, that wasn't actually what happened.
In both seasons, the Irish were eliminated early in the Sweet 16, underperforming expectations. Now in year three with Hidalgo leading the team, she and the team are more grateful than ever to make it to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament, as many thought they wouldn't make it this far.
"My mindset going in is a lot different than what it was the first two years," Hidalgo said. "I feel like my first two years, we were expected to win...I was actually appreciative of getting there."
Hannah Hidalgo is more appreciative of this Notre Dame Sweet 16 appearance than she was the prior two. That’s maturity, but it’s also a result of more love for the game and her teammates.
— Tyler Horka (@tbhorka) March 26, 2026
“It feels so different, especially to do it with these girls…It feels like a sisterhood.” pic.twitter.com/LGCbMbfUN2
Hannah Hidalgo is taking the time to apprecate Notre Dame's growth in the last year
Notre Dame isn't the lowest seed in the Sweet 16, but they certainly weren't a team many were banking on being there. After upsetting Ohio State in the second round, the Irish will now face an even tougher opponent in Vanderbilt, a two-seed in this year's tournament.
Hidalgo is taking this Sweet 16 a little more to heart and appreciating it more, knowing that many didn't think Notre Dame would be here. That kind of growth is exactly what could lead the Irish to Hidalgo's first-ever Elite Eight.
Hidalgo feels like the pressure is off this season with Irish being a six-seed, which could be the key to Notre Dame making it there and potentially even further.