The Notre Dame women's basketball program is winding down a intense stretch of summer workouts, a period that has already reshaped the squad's outlook for the coming campaign.
Head coach Niele Ivey and her staff have overseen the arrival of five freshmen and two experienced transfers, a blend that adds both youthful energy and seasoned depth to a roster that is older than the group Ivey coached two years ago.
A New Chapter for the Irish
Star guard Hannah Hidalgo has been absent from the recent sessions, choosing instead to attend the ESPY Awards in New York City, a reflection of her growing national profile.
Despite the mixture of experience and newcomers, the atmosphere in the gym has been described as fresh and energetic, with the entire roster — including the incoming freshmen — embracing something different this summer.
As the team looks toward the start of the season, the coaching staff remains optimistic that the added chemistry will translate into a strong performance when competition begins.