Hannah Hidalgo and Notre Dame dominate NCAA women’s basketball rankings (Nov 26) 

Hannah Hidalgo and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have taken women's basketball by storm this season, dominating the NCAA rankings and leaving opponents in their wake.

They burst into the scene with a 5-0 start to the season, including victories over No. 6 USC and Purdue.

Sophomore guard Hidalgo has been the driving force behind the team's success, averaging a team-high 24.8 points per game — tied for fourth among NCAA scorers — along with 6.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 48.9 % from the field and 41.7% from beyond the arc.

The Fighting Irish were initially ranked No. 6 in the AP Preseason Poll but have climbed to No. 3 in the nation with 751 points, as of the Nov. 24 update. They are behind the No. 1 UCLA Bruins (782 points) and No. 2 UConn Huskies.

Niele Ivey's Notre Dame faced their biggest test of the season so far on Saturday when they took on JuJu Watkins and the USC Trojans in Galen Center. Despite a valiant effort by USC, the Fighting Irish emerged victorious with a 74-61 win, led by Hidalgo's 24-point performance.

With a 5-0 record, Notre Dame sits tied for second in the ACC standings alongside the Miami Hurricanes. Hidalgo has been the primary catalyst, but the team has also received strong contributions from junior guard Olivia Miles and senior forward Liatu King.

Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey hails Hannah Hidalgo's performance after USC win

It was a praiseworthy stat line from sophomore sensation Hannah Hidalgo against USC. The New Jersey native scored 24 points, dished out eight assists, grabbed six rebounds and had five steals in the win.

After the game, coach Niele Ivey spoke glowingly about Hidalgo's impact.

"Hannah — big-time player [on a] big-time stage. Not at all shocked by what she did today," Ivey said. "From the beginning, she guarded everybody on the court.

"She's so feisty and energetic, and it's contagious for our group. She's also so unselfish. It was a fun game, but it's amazing for me to see the growth of this group and this team," she added.

Ivey, a fifth-year coach for the Irish, also praised the team's overall effort.

"It's amazing for me to see the growth of this group and this team, and again, like I said, I love them so much, and I'm so proud, so grateful," she added. "All glory to God. This is a moment, and we're going to enjoy it and then move on next week."

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Hidalgo and Co. will face another tough challenge on Friday in the Cayman Islands Classic against the undefeated No. 17 TCU (6-0).