Notre Dame Women's Basketball Added Nine Newcomers

The Fighting Irish look to integrate a roster featuring seven freshmen and two transfers for the 2026-27 season.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Basketball

Notre Dame Women's Basketball Added Nine Newcomers

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The Notre Dame women's basketball team has begun its 2026-27 season with a significantly revamped lineup. The 13-player squad now includes nine newcomers who joined the team following offseason bonding efforts.

Why it matters

Integrating nine new players represents a major personnel shift for the program as it prepares for high-stakes competition. The coaching staff utilized summer team activities to foster chemistry ahead of their opening schedule.

The roster features 13 total players, with nine newcomers comprising seven freshmen and two transfers. The team also held off-court workouts and a bonding trip to Hawaii to prepare for the season.

The players

Kelly Ratigan

Kelly Ratigan serves as a fifth-year guard for the Notre Dame women's basketball team.

The details

Fifth-year guard Kelly Ratigan returns to lead a group that has spent recent months building team chemistry through structured workouts and travel. The group aims to solidify their cohesion quickly before heading to international waters for their first official game.

October 26, 2026: Exhibition game against Truman State at 7:00 p.m.
November 1, 2026: Regular season opener against Villanova in Rome, Italy.

Season Trajectory

This roster overhaul signals a transition period for the Fighting Irish as they integrate a large influx of talent. The success of these newcomers will dictate the team's competitive ceiling and consistency throughout the 2026-27 campaign.

Fans should monitor the integration of seven freshmen into the rotation to see how it affects overall team depth. The performance during the exhibition game against Truman State will provide the first indication of how the new lineup handles live game scenarios.

The takeaway

Team chemistry built during offseason travel and workouts will be tested immediately by a challenging early schedule. Supporters should look for how veteran leadership from players like Kelly Ratigan guides the new recruits through the transition.

What happens next

The team plays an exhibition game against Truman State on October 26, 2026, followed by a regular season opener against Villanova on November 1, 2026.