The Irish have made their fifth consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament this year under the direction of head coach Niele Ivey, reaching the Sweet 16 for the fifth year in a row. They take on No. 2 Vanderbilt today at 2:30 p.m. at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. As the Irish eagerly hope to advance, many seniors could potentially play their last game. On their 12-player roster, six women are listed as seniors and will not return for next season. As they leave, they take their experience and competitiveness with them, leaving fans to wonder whether Ivey’s team will find success next season.
Vanessa de Jesus
A guard hailing from Valencia, Calif., de Jesus has been a strong presence for the Irish after transferring from Duke last year. She has only played one year with the Irish, recording 291 points, 91 rebounds and 97 assists in 34 games. Standing at 5-foot-8, de Jesus is not the biggest player on the court but one of the scrappiest. She excels at finding gaps in defense and nagging the ball, as evidenced by her 63 steals on the season. She is a smart playmaker, and her impact is felt despite her short tenure with the Irish.
Malaya Cowles
Since transferring from Wake Forest this season, forward Malaya Cowles has been a dynamic presence in the paint. So far, in her single season wearing Blue and Gold, Cowles has recorded 170 rebounds — a higher tally than any other season with her former Demon Deacons. The Wilkesboro, N.C., native has also amassed 53 steals and 26 blocks in her 31 games played for the Irish. At 6-foot-3, Ivey placed Cowles in the paint, where she has thrived by attacking on offense and protecting the basket on defense. She is not relied on as a shooter, but she is unafraid to put herself in the midst of a battle for possession and keep the Irish from turning the ball over.
Cassandre Prosper
As the only true senior on the team, guard Cassandre Prosper could return for another year of eligibility as a graduate student; however, she has yet to announce whether she will don the Irish uniform for another season. Reigning from Montreal, the 2024 Olympian represented Canada during the 2024 Summer Games in Paris. The 2025-26 ACC Most Improved Player has been a fantastic guard for the Irish during her entire collegiate career spent at Notre Dame. In her time so far, she has 823 points, 315 field goals and 459 rebounds. Irish fans have witnessed the immense growth Prosper has displayed since joining the team in January 2022. In her senior season, she has played significantly more minutes and increased her career highlights by wide margins compared with previous years. With such growth and positive performance throughout her tenure, it seems promising that she would want to remain in South Bend for her final eligible year.
Jordyn Smith
Since transferring from Holy Cross to play as a graduate guard, Jordyn Smith has played 15 games and 46 minutes for the Irish. The Granger, Ind., native has been a steady presence on the Notre Dame bench and serves as a positive influence and strong motivator for the team. She recorded a season-high 10 minutes against Bellarmine on Dec. 21 and a season-high of four points against Morehead State on Dec. 11. As she departs, the Irish bench and locker room will feel the absence of her grounding presence and ability to uplift those she plays around.
Iyana Moore
After playing three years of undergraduate basketball for Vanderbilt, guard Iyana Moore opted to leave the SEC in pursuit of competitive ACC play, transferring to Notre Dame as a graduate. The Milwaukee, Wis., native has played over 4,220 minutes in her career and recorded 1,701 points as her final season nears its end. She is consistent at the free-throw line, with a .832 shots made percentage. She averages just over 12 points a game and is not afraid to chase a rebound on defense. Although she stands at 5-foot-8, she has no problem defending other guards, as evidenced by her 175 career steals. Moore has not only been a dependable player but also one who has gone above and beyond in her growth; the Notre Dame coaching staff will find it difficult to replace her in the seasons to come.
Gisela Sanchez
Gisela Sanchez, the powerhouse forward from Barcelona, has been a fan favorite after transferring from Kansas State to play as a graduate for the Irish. Named a two-time Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2024 and 2025, Sanchez has played 33 games for the Irish this season. Standing at 6-foot-4, Sanchez is a fierce forward. She has made 13 blocks and 19 steals this season to pair with her 199 points. She is a dominant player on both sides of the floor and has stepped up when the Irish needed a different approach in the paint. An all-around consistent player, Sanchez was a great acquisition and a strategic forward to have in the Irish arsenal.
What's next?
Looking ahead to next season, a couple of concerns arise for a Notre Dame team primarily guided in postseason play by players in their final year of eligibility. As the Irish compete in their fifth straight Sweet Sixteen, Ivey and her team must focus on one game at a time. That is a task easier said than done for the six players who will not be returning next season, given every game could be their last.
