Why former Notre Dame F Sam Brunelle won’t play for Virginia vs. Irish
Sam Brunelle spent three years toiling on Notre Dame’s Purcell Pavilion court in blue and gold. Sunday, she was slated to do so in navy and orange against her former program as a member of the Virginia Cavaliers.
It won’t be as happy of a homecoming after all.
Brunelle is suspended for Sunday’s matchup between No. 7 Notre Dame (15-2, 6-1 ACC) and Virginia (14-5, 3-5) at 2 p.m. ET in South Bend (ACC Network). Brunelle was ejected from the Cavaliers’ Thursday night game vs. Florida State for a “fighting foul” infraction.
Brunelle set a hard screen on a Seminole that put the opposing player on the ground. Officials did not like how Brunelle left the situation; Brunelle extended her leg in a kicking motion before running away from the area. A “fighting foul” results in a one-game suspension that is not reversible via appeal.
Brunelle scored 11 points in 28 minutes vs. FSU before her ejection. She’s averaging 11.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game at UVA this season. In three years at Notre Dame, Brunelle averaged 9.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. She’s making the trip back to South Bend this weekend despite not being able to suit up and play.
“I’m sure I’ll feel it all, honestly,” Brunelle told NBC29 in Virginia about her emotions tied to going back to Notre Dame. “Right now I’m cool with it. I’m excited to go back and to see my friends who are going to come watch.”
Brunelle told NBC29 she is at peace with her decision to transfer from Notre Dame and continue her career at Virginia.
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“I’m really glad I’m with a bunch of girls that really helped me find my confidence again with basketball,” Brunelle told NBC29. “Especially the coaches too. They believe so much in me and that’s been huge for me.
“Coming off my injury and athletically the last two years, I didn’t play as much and I became sort of a one-dimensional player. I feel like since I’ve been able at UVA, I’ve been able to expand my game more to where it used to be my freshman year of college, playing at all three levels offensively and trying to get better at defense and having those coaches believe in me that I can do all that.”
Brunelle averaged career-bests 13.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a freshman at Notre Dame. She started all 32 games for the Irish. She battled injuries that limited her time on the court in the next two seasons.
Virginia has lost four of its last five games. Notre Dame is riding a three-game winning streak. The programs’ matchup last winter was cancelled because of COVID-19 protocols, as was 2020-21’s scheduled game between the two teams. They have not played since a 90-60 Virginia victory on Jan. 26, 2020.
