Veith Sisters Join Notre Dame Basketball Team
Freshmen guards Bella and Mia Veith earn walk-on spots ahead of the team's season opener in Vatican City.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Catholicism
Following a competitive tryout in September 2026, twin sisters Bella and Mia Veith have joined the University of Notre Dame women's basketball team as walk-ons. The 5-foot-6 guards now prepare to travel with the team to Rome for a high-profile game.
Why it matters
The addition of walk-on athletes highlights the intense competition for roster spots at the Division I level. The sisters now balance their academic pursuits in global affairs and economics with the demands of collegiate athletics.
Bella and Mia Veith, both 5-foot-6, were selected from an estimated pool of 20 tryout participants. The sisters are 2026 graduates of Mount Notre Dame High School.
The players
Bella Veith
She is a freshman guard at the University of Notre Dame who studies global affairs and economics.
Mia Veith
She is a freshman guard at the University of Notre Dame who studies international economics.
Pope Leo XIV
The Catholic leader is a 1977 graduate of Villanova University and may attend the upcoming game in Vatican City.
The details
The Veith sisters secured their positions on the Notre Dame squad after completing a two-day tryout session in September. Beyond the court, Bella focuses on global affairs and economics, while Mia specializes in international economics.
Timeline
September 2026: Bella and Mia Veith participate in basketball tryouts.
Wednesday, October 28, 2026: The team departs South Bend for Italy.
Saturday, October 31, 2026: Notre Dame plays the season opener against Villanova at noon ET.
Culture Shift
The program remains deeply rooted in the standard of excellence established during the 2018 Notre Dame national championship win. This transition marks a new chapter for the team as they integrate fresh talent against the historical legacy of the program.
Local supporters in South Bend can watch the Veith sisters and the rest of the team compete against Villanova this Saturday. The season opener is scheduled to be broadcast live on FS1.
The takeaway
Student-athletes often balance rigorous academic schedules alongside the demands of varsity sports. The Veith sisters' inclusion serves as a reminder of the opportunities available to dedicated students at top-tier universities.
Further reading
For more on faith-based collegiate traditions, see our Catholicism coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WCPO.
