A legendary WNBA figure did not hold back her high praise following a dazzling NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament showdown. Following a hard-fought victory on Friday, a former Indiana Fever star sent a message to Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo and Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes.

Ten-time WNBA All-Star Tamika Catchings, who spent 15 years with the Fever, praised the youngsters after No. 6 seed Notre Dame defeated No. 2 seed Vanderbilt 67-64 in a Sweet 16 showdown. The contest was billed as a marquee point guard battle, and both playmakers delivered on the national stage.

Hidalgo scored 31 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals. She also broke the NCAA single-season steals record during the contest. Blakes fought valiantly and stuffed the statsheet with 26 points and eight rebounds in the narrow loss.

Catchings took to social media to point out the elite performances.

“I’m taking @HannahHidalgo (Hannah Hidalgo) & @mikaylablakes (Mikayla Blakes) on any of my teams!!! 😤💪🏽🥰 Love the straight up Dawg Mentality they play with! THIS is how you play!!!” Catchings wrote.

Despite the impressive shooting numbers, Blakes was struggling with the defeat.

“I guess I just dribbled it off my foot,” Blakes told reporters postgame. “I saw an open lane, but I guess I moved too fast.”

“Starting the game, I guess, [I’m] human. I miss shots,” Blakes said. “So I wouldn’t say it was nerves or anything like that. I just have to learn from the performance, because I can’t perform for my team like that in a moment as big as this.”

Last season, Blakes and Vanderbilt were a No. 7 seed and lost in the opening-round matchup to No. 10 Oregon.

Hannah Hidalgo Earning High Praise From ESPN Analyst

Hidalgo propelled her team to the Elite Eight, earning high praise from ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith for her intensity and playmaking. Smith pointed out her elite basketball intelligence.

“I love that girl Hidalgo,” Smith said. “I mean, I love her, I mean, little feisty thing going out there balling, I can’t take my eyes off watching her play. I just wanted to say that I just wanted to say I really like her.”

Hidalgo addressed the media after Notre Dame secured its spot.

“Yeah I think first and foremost to get over this hump with these group of women it it’s so special and it means so much more and I spoke earlier about how I used to take just being in the sweet 16 for granted um and how I embrace it so much more now and I’m so much more grateful uh to be here,” Hidalgo said.

Coach Niele Ivey pointed out that the team’s developed chemistry over the summer contributed to this milestone.

Notre Dame will play No. 1 seed UConn at 1 p.m. Sunday at Dickies Arena.

Related: Notre Dame Coach Sends Strong Message to Hannah Hidalgo on Thursday

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Mar 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Basketball section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.