"My glorious queen Hannah", "She really a dawg": Fans fawn over Hannah Hidalgo as 5'6 Notre Dame star pulls off impressive return from injury

Hannah Hidalgo made a resounding comeback after sitting out two games due to an ankle injury. She played a pivotal role in Notre Dame’s commanding 88-64 victory over SMU. The sophomore guard showcased her all-around abilities with 23 points, 10 rebounds, five steals and three assists.

Her stellar performance reaffirmed her status as a key player for the Fighting Irish, who improved to a 16-2 record, including a perfect 7-0 in the ACC.

The Women’s Hoops Network highlighted her outstanding game on social media, posting a video captioned:

"Hannah Hidalgo tonight 🔥 • 23 points • 10 rebounds • 5 STEALS."

Meanwhile, supporters filled the comments with admiration, calling her:

"My glorious queen Hannah"

"She snag so many boards to be so small . She’s really a dawg" another comment reads.

"Respect her game!!," someone else said.

"best in the country." another comment reads.

"She’s the one," someone else commented.

"She’s a Dog!!!," another comment reads.

Notre Dame’s play-by-play announcer, Sean Stires, had confirmed Hidalgo’s return to the starting lineup. Prior to her injury, Hidalgo had been a force on the court, averaging 25.7 points, six rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.

Hannah Hidalgo's return boosted SMU after a slow start

In the previous game, despite taking an early lead, the Irish found themselves in a tight contest after Georgia Tech erased a 13-point deficit to tie the game in the second half. With the game hanging by a thread late in the third quarter, Notre Dame made a 19-4 run that carried them into the final period. The Yellow Jackets continued to battle, but the Irish maintained control until the final buzzer.

Sonia Citron emerged as the standout player, tallying 21 points and six assists. Maddy Westbeld, filling in for Hidalgo as a starter, contributed 20 points. Cassandre Prosper added 15 points and nine rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double. Olivia Miles overcame a slow start, scoring 11 of her 13 points in the second half, including seven in the fourth quarter. Liatu King was a force on the boards, pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds.

Hidalgo’s return against SMU provided a boost for Notre Dame. Although the team struggled early, missing nine of their first 11 shots and falling behind 12-9, they quickly found their rhythm. The Fighting Irish responded with a scorching offensive stretch, hitting 10 of their next 14 shots to seize a commanding 32-15 lead midway through the second quarter.

The win marked Notre Dame’s 10th consecutive victory. With their 16-2 record intact, Notre Dame is gearing up for their next challenge against Boston College. Meanwhile, SMU will host Duke in what promises to be another competitive matchup.