𝐰𝐡𝐨'𝐬 𝐚𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐞? - paige bueckers

prolouge

27th January, Gampel Pavilion

THE ATMOSPHERE in Gampel Pavilion was electric as the Notre Dame squad geared up to face off against UConn on their home turf. The roars of the UConn faithful deafening, setting the stage for the thrilling matchup.

"Alright ladies, lock down defence from the get-go," Coach Ivey urged, her voice cutting through the crowd as their team huddled near their bench. The intensity in her eyes mirrored the determination Kyla wore. "Kovlova, you've got 5 all game. Let's shut them down, one possession at a time. On three..."

With a collective nod, Hidalgo, Citron, Westbeld, Watson and Kovlova formed the starting five heading onto court awaiting the jump ball. Kovlova made her way over to Bueckers taking a glance at the UConn star who appeared calm and stoic, unbothered by the 5'10 brunette who would be guarding her. Kyla knew she was overlooked and potentially disregarded as competition in comparison to her teammates, yet this only motivated her more.

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ndwbb IRISH WIN!! #goirish☘️

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@kylakovlova12: IRISH🫡🫡
—> @ndwbb: sec. of defence 🫡🫡

@user9237: KYLA KOVLOVA TAKE A BOW

@user62: Hannah Hidalgo is her.

@user589: kyla keeping bueckers to 8pts 😮‍💨
—> @uconnwbbfan33: never heard of her 😂😂😂

ESPN: The Fighting Irish led by Hidalgo, take down the Huskies, 67-82. 27th January 2024.

On the 28th of January, fans packed into Gampel Pavilion, as the Huskies prepared to face off against the Fighting Irish in a highly anticipated women's basketball matchup. The atmosphere was filled with spirit as UConn honoured their championship legacy with a 'white out' tribute to the championship teams of 2003, 2004, 2013 and 2014.

Initially, the Huskies surged ahead, aiming to defend their undefeated record at Gampel Pavilion. However, the Fighting Irish had other plans, demonstrating their resilience and skill to secure a decisive 15-point victory. It was a stunning upset, leaving UConn fans disappointed, their undefeated run at home elapsed.

All eyes were on two standout freshmen: UConn's Arnold and Notre Dame's Hidalgo. Both hailed as top prospects in the class of 2023, their matchup was highly anticipated, and they did not disappoint. Hidalgo, in particular, dazzled with a remarkable performance, tallying an impressive 34 points, 6 assists, and 10 rebounds, showcasing her versatility and talent on the court. Arnold, while contributing 11 points and 2 assists, faced a formidable challenge in containing Hidalgo's explosive play.

However, UConn's hopes were dampened by the absence of senior leader, Paige Bueckers. Returning from injury this season, Bueckers has been instrumental in the team's success, but tonight, she struggled to find her rhythm, limited to just 8 points and 2 assists. Credit must be given to Notre Dame's junior guard, Kyla Kovlova, whose defence effectively neutralised Bueckers, limiting her impact on the game. Kovlova's defensive prowess was complemented by her offensive contributions, adding 10 points to Notre Dame's tally and earning recognition alongside Hidalgo for her standout performance.

As the final buzzer sounded, Notre Dame emerged victorious, leaving UConn to regroup and reflect on their performance. While the loss was undoubtedly disappointing for the Huskies, it highlighted the fierce competition throughout the NCAA women's basketball. As the season progresses we're sure to see these two teams late in March showcasing their talent and explosiveness.

TASH's CORNER
prologue done!! leaving my wattpad hiatus for paige bueckers because she is the loml.
this is probably really bad... sorry xx