Hannah Hidalgo is taking a ruthless approach to improving her play for No. 6 Notre Dame

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Notre Dame point guard Hannah Hidalgo expects even more in her second collegiate season than her first.

Yes, more than first-team All-American honors, more than a Sweet 16 run in the NCAA tournament, even more than being named the top guard in Division I women’s basketball.

It is her relentless pursuit of perfection – regardless of the circumstances – that sets Hidalgo apart.

“The most important thing is just being a great teammate. I can definitely be better at that and not be so focused on myself and my own goals,” she said Wednesday after Davenport’s 101-41 exhibition game. “Now that I have that year under my belt, I feel a lot more comfortable. So I’m just that vocal leader for the team. I try to convey that energy.”

Hidalgo is still quite good on the pitch too. The preseason All-American finished that game with 31 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the No. 6 Irish in preparation for Monday night’s season opener against Division I newcomer Mercyhurst.

Although she made 10 of 13 shots and all 10 of her free throws, the 6-foot-2 sophomore from New Jersey shook her head dismissively as she read the stat line from three-point range: 1-of-4.

That’s just who she is.

“She has never been a complacent player,” Notre Dame coach Nielle Ivey said. “So she’s always trying to find ways to get better.”

It won’t be easy to improve on a 28-7 record, a 22.6 scoring average or the nation’s lead in steals (4.6 per game).

She burst onto the national scene with a 31-point game in a 100-71 loss to eventual national champion South Carolina.

Hidalgo also scored 34 points in an 82-67 win at UConn, joining Caitlin Clark as one of four Power 4 players to average 20 points, five rebounds and five assists per game last season. She won the Dawn Staley Award, the honor named after the Gamecocks coach and given to the nation’s top guard.

With stars like Clark and Angel Reese leaving for the WNBA, Hidalgo could emerge as the leader of the next big wave of women’s basketball stars. In taking that next step, Hidalgo aims to get stronger by moving to her left, finishing through contact and expanding her shooting range.

Orlando Hidalgo, Hannah’s father and high school coach, said Hannah had a personal improvement checklist this summer for one reason: bringing a third national championship banner to South Bend, Indiana.

“It’s not about winning ACC Player of the Year or leading the NCAA in steals, she just wants to play hard,” he said. “What she wants is an NCAA championship.”

Orlando saw that fire at an early age, when she competed fiercely with her four older brothers. It originated at age 5, playing in a youth basketball league with some girls.

“She was the MVP,” he said. “Many children were afraid of her because she was so aggressive. She dove for the ball, she was already an intense, lock-down defender. It’s rare that someone puts the same effort on offense and the same effort on defense. Michael Jordan was a two-way player. He was a killer in both attack and defense. Hannah studies the game and works hard. She doesn’t take time off, she doesn’t take plays.”

It’s a trait that hasn’t changed as she’s gotten older.

In addition to countless film study sessions with Ivey, Hidalgo is trying to become a more vocal leader behind the scenes. Teammate Cassandre Prosper says Hannah is always present at games and in practice, even when she isn’t playing.

“She yelled and coached and brought the energy to the players in practice. She stands there during the drill, focused and engaged,” Prosper said. “I think people are going to see a different side of Hannah this season. They will see her lead her teammates to the mountain top. realizes that if we want to reach that championship, everyone has to be involved and everyone has to play at their best.”

Hidalgo sought the advice of former Notre Dame star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Jewell Loyd. She currently plays for the Seattle Storm, who won WNBA titles in 2018 and 2020.

“Jewell talked to me about maintaining my body, which is something I’ve been working on as well,” Hidalgo said. “The game is quite rigorous, so take care of my body and make sure that if I get hit, I don’t go down all the time. It prevents injuries.”

But ultimately Hidalgo’s improvement comes down to one thing.

“I think I’m my biggest critic,” Hidalgo said. “Honestly, with coach Ivey, we always watch film and I always think I can do something better.”