SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Before the No. 6 Notre Dame women’s basketball team formally starts its season next week, the Irish will host Division II regional foe Davenport for an exhibition contest on Wednesday at Purcell Pavilion.
The matchup will be the public’s first look at a Notre Dame team that combines existing elements and adds some much needed depth down low.
The Irish backcourt returns last year’s stars of Hannah Hidalgo and Sonia Citron, and Notre Dame adds Olivia Miles back into the mix after the floor general missed last season rehabbing a torn ACL. All three guards were named Preseason All-ACC, and Hidalgo was the ACC Preseason Player of the Year.
While forward Maddy Westbeld will sit out the start of the season with a foot injury, graduate transfers Liza Karlen and Liatu King bring a wealth of experience that will be crucial in the front court. Both Karlen (BIG EAST) and King (ACC) made their respective all-conference first teams last season.
Wednesday will also be the Purcell Pavilion debut for five-star freshman Kate Koval, who was the No. 5 overall recruit in the 2024 class according to ESPN and the top post player.
The returning core for Davenport includes senior post Lillee Gustafson, who was named to the Preseason GLIAC Second Team. She averaged 10.8 points and 7.7 boards last year. The Panthers also added four transfers and two freshmen this offseason, including Northwood transfer and expected starter Hannah Schroeder.
The exhibition against Davenport will start at 7 p.m. It will not be televised.
Hannah Hidalgo