Hailey Van Lith, you’re going to the Elite Eight.

What a fantastic season for Van Lith, who transferred to TCU after an underwhelming season with LSU. During her tenure with the Tigers, she never really quite found her footing, and by year-end, much to her dismay, she became a March Madness meme. Still, she persisted even with many mental health battles along the way. Van Lith transferred to TCU, and early in the season, you could tell the move would be special. The senior cried happy tears after an early season upset win over NC State, and she never looked back.
A full redemption tour happened this season, silencing any haters who dared to doubt her. Van Lith’s gritty performances began stacking up and earned her multiple Big 12 honors, a Big 12 championship, and, oh yeah ― a date with the Elite Eight. On Saturday, Van Lith dropped 26 big ones all over the Notre Dame Irish, including 18 points in the second half. (Balling!) What a day for her WNBA draft stock, and a bloody knee wouldn’t stop the show.

“This is why!” an ecstatic Van Lith shouted after the Horned Frogs upset win over 3-seed Notre Dame.