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Notre Dame 'hitting on all cylinders' after routing Virginia Tech in ACC Tournament semifinals

Matt Connollyby:Matt Connolly•03/09/24•

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notre dame sonia citron
Sonia Citron #11 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish dribbles up court during the second half of their game against the NC State Wolfpack in the quarterfinals of the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament at Greensboro Coliseum Complex on March 3, 2023 in Greensboro, North Carolina. Notre Dame won 66-60. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)

Notre Dame has displayed an ability to win games in a variety of ways throughout the 2023-24 season. That is continuing during the ACC Tournament.

After grinding out a win over Louisville on Friday, the Irish routed Virginia Tech 82-53 Saturday afternoon. With the win, Notre Dame advances to Sunday ACC Championship Game.

Sonia Citron led Notre Dame with 19 points in Saturday’s win, knocking down 7 of her 12 field goal attempts. Afterwards, she spoke with the ACC Network about the victory.

“I mean, I think we were hitting on all cylinders. Everyone’s playing their best,” Citron said. “We’re playing together. And I think we’re really trending at the right time, so that’s always great. It’s very important to be trending in March.”

Notre Dame had four players finish in double figures in the victory and two others who scored 8 points. In addition to Citron’s 19, Maddy Westbeld pitched in 18 points, while ACC Freshman of the Year Hannah Hidalgo had 15. Anna DeWolfe added 14 for the Irish.

Citron loves the amount of weapons Notre Dame has offensively.

“I think that’s what makes our team so special. You never know whose night it’s going to be,” she said. “We just have so many offensive threats, so I think that’s one of the things that makes our team special.”

In addition to scoring 14 points, DeWolfe also had 3 rebounds and 5 assists. She has the ability to impact games in a variety of ways, which is something Citron loves.

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“She’s an amazing player. We all look up to her,” Citron said of the senior. “She’s just very experienced, and she brings a sense of maturity to the team. And whether it’s her passing, her vision or when she’s shooting well, she adds so much more than what you just see in the stats.”

Up next, Notre Dame will play the winner of Florida State and NC State in Sunday’s ACC title game. Tip off is set for 1 p.m. on ESPN. Citron believes that the Irish will be ready, no matter who they play.

“We’ve been really locked into our game plan, so I just want to see us keep up with that defensive intensity and just make that our identity, because offense is going to come,” Citron said.

Notre Dame improved to 25-6 with Saturday’s win. Virginia Tech fell to 24-7 with the tough loss. Still, the Hokies will make it to the NCAA Tournament.