The 2026 season has not been easy for the Notre Dame women’s basketball team. After starting the year with consecutive losses against Georgia Tech and Duke, the team’s morale is understandably low. But amidst this tough start to the season, head coach Niele Ivey is determined to turn things around and is placing the blame on herself and the team’s performance in the locker room.
The Fighting Irish’s first game of the season against Georgia Tech was a nail-biter, ultimately ending in an overtime loss with a score of 95-90. Despite putting up a strong fight, the team fell just short in the end. This was followed by another tough loss to Duke, with a final score of 82-68. For a team that has consistently been among the top contenders in women’s college basketball, this certainly wasn’t the start that anyone was hoping for.
Niele Ivey, who took over as the head coach last year, understands the pressure and expectations that come with leading the Fighting Irish. She knows that the team is capable of so much more and has high aspirations for their performance this season. That’s why she has taken the responsibility for the team’s poor start and assigned the blame to herself and the team’s performance in the locker room.
In an interview following the loss to Duke, Ivey said, “As the leader of this team, it starts with me. I have to do a better job of making sure we’re locked in and ready to play. And as for the players, it’s all about holding each other accountable. We need to have a winning mentality in the locker room and that’s something we’ll be working on going forward.”
Ivey’s determination to turn things around and hold herself and the team accountable for their performance is a true reflection of a leader who is committed to success. Despite the discouraging start to the season, she is not letting her team dwell on their losses. Instead, she is using it as a learning experience and a driving force to push them to be better.
The Fighting Irish have a lot of talent on their roster, including returning seniors Maddy Westbeld and Olivia Miles, who were both named to the All-ACC Freshman team last season. Along with a strong group of freshmen, the team has the potential to bounce back and make a statement in the upcoming games.
While the losses have undoubtedly affected the team’s morale, they are determined to not let it break their spirit. As Maddy Westbeld stated, “We have to push through this rough patch and stay positive. We know what we’re capable of as a team and we just need to put it all together on the court.”
The Fighting Irish have a lot of work to do to get back on track, but they are not afraid of putting in the effort. They have the determination and support of their coach to guide them through this tough start to the season. And with their strong team chemistry and talent, there is no doubt that they will come back stronger in the upcoming games.
It’s important to remember that one or two losses does not define a team’s season. As Coach Ivey said, “We know we’re better than this, and we’re not going to let these early losses define us. We have a long season ahead of us and we’re going to use these setbacks as motivation to push us towards our goals.”
So let’s not lose hope in the Fighting Irish just yet. They have the talent, leadership, and resilience to turn this season around and make it a memorable one. Let’s continue to support and believe in this team as they work towards success. And as Coach Ivey said, “The only way to go is up from here.”
