Notre Dame Women's Basketball Sees Player Exodus Through Transfer Portal

Two more players from the Notre Dame women’s basketball team have opted to explore opportunities elsewhere via the transfer portal. Sophomore Emma Risch and freshman Kate Koval join All-American guard Olivia Miles, who made her intentions known on Monday night. This development comes amidst significant changes for the Fighting Irish squad as they lose several key contributors due to eligibility issues. The roster now faces an uncertain future with only a handful of scholarship players available for next season.

In recent developments, 6-foot-1 guard Emma Risch, originally from Melbourne, Florida, has faced challenges during her time at Notre Dame due to recurring hip injuries. Her limited appearances—seven games as a freshman and 13 in the most recent season—highlighted these difficulties. Despite this, she managed to average 5.7 points per game during the 2024-25 campaign. Meanwhile, 6-foot-5 forward Kate Koval showcased impressive defensive skills by leading the team in blocked shots with 55 while averaging 5.3 points and 4.7 rebounds over 32 games played this past season.

As the program navigates through transitions, it reflects upon its ending performance in the Sweet 16 round against TCU last Saturday. A disappointing loss concluded their season prematurely once again after four consecutive years stuck at that stage. This setback underscores broader concerns about maintaining competitiveness moving forward without some of its core members.

Looking ahead, Notre Dame must rebuild around returning talents like Hannah Hidalgo, Cassandre Prosper, KK Bransford, and Kylee Watson. Among them, standout player Hannah Hidalgo continues to represent hope for brighter days ahead despite losing so much experienced talent recently. With new recruits needing integration into what remains of last year's lineup, Coach Niele Ivey will need strategic planning if they wish to restore dominance within collegiate basketball ranks soon.

The departure of prominent figures signals a pivotal moment for Notre Dame women's basketball. As they prepare for life post-Maddy Westbeld, Liatu King, Sonia Citron, and others whose college careers have ended, recruiting efforts become crucial alongside nurturing existing athletes ready to step up. How effectively Coach Ivey manages this transition could determine whether success returns sooner rather than later under challenging circumstances.