Freshman All-American Hannah Hidalgo faced an unexpected hurdle during Notre Dame's 70-65 loss to Oregon State in the Sweet 16 when game officials enforced an NCAA rule prohibiting jewelry, including her nose ring. Despite playing the entire season with it, Hidalgo was asked to remove it during the game.
The decision caught Hidalgo, coach Niele Ivey, and the Notre Dame bench off guard. Initially, one official had told her she could keep the nose ring on if covered, but this changed at the end of the first quarter, requiring its removal for her to continue playing.
Trainers struggled to remove the nose ring, causing Hidalgo to sit out for over four minutes in the second quarter. Frustrated, she expressed her disappointment, feeling it disrupted her momentum. "I thought it was B.S., because I'm on a run, I'm on a roll," she said, noting that the interruption made her feel cold and disrupted her flow.
The NCAA later clarified the decision, citing a rule prohibiting head decorations and jewelry. What puzzled Hidalgo and Ivey was the sudden enforcement during a crucial game, especially since Hidalgo had worn it all season without issue. Ivey expressed her wish to have been informed earlier, saying, "Can't control it, so we had to move on. But yeah, stoppage of play is never great when you're trying to have flow."
Despite the setback, Hidalgo managed to score 10 points, though she struggled with her shooting, tying a season-low. She attributed her performance to Oregon State's defense, acknowledging that they disrupted her shots effectively. Oregon State coach Scott Rueck credited his team's defense for containing Hidalgo, comparing it to their success against other top shooters.
Looking ahead, Hidalgo remains determined to wear her nose ring next season unless instructed otherwise. Her commitment to her style and game is unwavering, highlighting her resilience and determination on and off the court.
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