Hannah Hidalgo’s Competitor Mindset Leads Notre Dame Into the NCAA Tournament

When the final questions were asked following Notre Dame’s ACC Tournament semifinal, the focus quickly shifted from one possession to something bigger.

The NCAA Tournament now awaits.

For Hannah Hidalgo and the Fighting Irish, the conversation turns toward recovery, preparation, and carrying the lessons from a demanding ACC Tournament into the biggest stage of the season.

Head coach Niele Ivey made it clear that the immediate priority is giving her team time to reset after a physically taxing stretch.

“They’re going to get a couple days off,” Ivey said. “Playing back to back to back, especially in these type of matchups, is really difficult.” Pasted text

The break will give Notre Dame an opportunity to recharge before turning its full attention to the NCAA Tournament. When the team returns to the floor, the focus will be familiar.

“We’ll get back to work, get back to doing the same things that we’ve been doing to put us in this position,” Ivey said. Pasted text

For Hidalgo, preparation means balancing recovery with maintaining the competitive edge that has defined her season. After logging heavy minutes during the ACC Tournament, she emphasized the importance of taking care of her body while continuing to stay ready.

“It’ll be really important to continue to take care of my body,” Hidalgo said, “but also balancing it with still getting in the gym so that I’m not losing my stamina.” Pasted text

That approach reflects the mindset Hidalgo has carried throughout the year. Every time she steps on the floor, she views it as an opportunity that should never be taken for granted.

When asked what she has learned about herself during this stretch of games, her answer centered on resilience.

“I notice how resilient I am,” Hidalgo said. “The competitor in me wants to win.” Pasted text

That competitiveness will be central as Notre Dame prepares for the NCAA Tournament. The Irish enter March battle tested after navigating one of the toughest conferences in college basketball, and the experiences gained during the ACC Tournament could prove valuable in the games ahead.

Ivey believes moments like these are part of the growth process.

“Some of these lessons and experiences you don’t know about until you’re in it,” she said. “Every possession matters and the margin of error is very, very small.” Pasted text

Those lessons now travel with Notre Dame into the NCAA Tournament, where Hidalgo’s competitive mindset and the team’s resilience will once again be tested on college basketball’s biggest stage.