As impressive as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish women’s basketball team has been during the first two months of the season, it’s been that impressive without a key contributor. In fact, the injury bug hit Nielle Ivery’s team early and often. However, slowly but surely, ND is starting to get healthy and that includes the return of Maddy Westbeld.
Westbeld, who announced in September that she would miss the start of the season to deal with a lingering foot injury, entered as a substitute with 3:02 left in the first quarter against the North Carolina Tar Heels on Sunday. She now will try to make up for lost time coming off a 2023-24 season in which she averaged 14.4 points, 1.1 blocks and a career-high 8.7 rebounds.
Against the ACC rival, Westbeld played just 13 minutes for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and looked plenty rusty. However, while she’s not quite all the way back, it’s a big return for a team that’s tipped off conference play in a big way.
Notre Dame Fighitng Irish welcome Maddy Westbeld back to the fold
Westbeld had zero points, 1 rebound, 1 block and a steal. She also had 2 turnovers.
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are more excited about what Westbeld can offer as the season moves closer to its conclusion than anything now. Of course, they also managed to get the win on Sunday, defeating No. 17 North Carolina 76-66.
The irish have won 7 straight and are now 3-0 in the ACC.