After a 26-5 regular season, the Notre Dame women’s basketball team secured a No. 3 seed and is set to make a strong showing in the NCAA Tournament, bolstered by its impressive roster. On March 19, 2025, the Associated Press (AP) and U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) announced their annual awards, highlighting the standout performances of three Irish guards: Hannah Hidalgo, Olivia Miles, and Sonia Citron. Hidalgo was named to the AP All-America First Team, while Miles received Second Team honors, and Citron earned an Honorable Mention.
Hannah Hidalgo has made waves this season, becoming only the fourth player in NCAA history to be recognized as an AP All-American First Team member in both her freshman and sophomore years. The illustrious company she now shares includes legends such as USC's JuJu Watkins, Connecticut's Maya Moore, and Oklahoma's Courtney Paris. As the team's leading scorer, Hidalgo has averaged an impressive 24.2 points and 3.7 steals per game, ranking her fourth nationally in both categories. Her sharp shooting has also contributed to her excellence, with a 40.7 percent success rate from beyond the arc and averaging two three-pointers each game.
The 5-6 guard has not only dominated scoresheets but also rewritten parts of the Notre Dame record books. At the ACC Tournament, Hidalgo joined Irish great Arike Ogunbowale as one of only two players in Notre Dame history to secure multiple 700-point seasons. This season, she has already entrenched herself in the program's history with 108 steals, a record for sophomores, following last year’s achievement of 160 steals, just the fourth instance ever for a Notre Dame player to reach the 100-steal mark.
Following closely behind Hidalgo is Olivia Miles, who's also turned heads across the nation. Averaging 16.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game, she is the only player in the nation maintaining averages of 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists while also shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc. Her skill and versatility have propelled her to lead the nation in triple-doubles with three this season. Moreover, Miles etched her name in the ACC history books by becoming the first player to achieve back-to-back triple-doubles during games against Loyola and Virginia.
The start of this season proved monumental for Miles as well. In her opening game against Mercyhurst, she not only made a splash but also became the first player in the history of NBA, WNBA, or college basketball to post a 20-point triple-double in her first game back following a year off to recover from a torn ACL.
Sonia Citron, while sometimes overshadowed by her teammates' notable accolades, has consistently contributed to the team's success in her own right. Citron has averaged 13.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this season, with her numbers spiking to 15.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game over the last 10 games, also boasting a 57.5 percent shooting percentage during that stretch. Her defensive tenacity is highlighted by her seven games this season with 3 or more steals.
The honors don't stop there. Citron was also acknowledged for her excellence on both ends of the court, being named to the First Team All-ACC and earning a spot on the ACC All-Defense team. As they head into the tournament, these accolades boost the team's confidence, especially following a late-season slump, highlighting the skill and depth of the Irish roster.
Notre Dame women's basketball coach Niele Ivey expressed immense pride in her players' accomplishment, particularly with Hidalgo's historic achievement. “What a well-deserved honor for Hannah,” she remarked. “To be one of just four players to ever make the AP All-America first team in both of their first seasons is a major accomplishment. I'm so proud of her and I can't wait to see what she does in March.”
The Irish now prepare to host Stephen F. Austin (29-5) in a first-round matchup of the NCAA Tournament on March 21, 2025, at 2 p.m., with the winner advancing to face the next opponent on March 23. With such a talented trio leading the charge, the outlook for Notre Dame remains vibrant as they aim for an unforgettable tournament run.
