The stage is set for an electrifying NCAA women’s basketball tournament, and the No. 2 seed TCU Horned Frogs are right in the thick of it. With a remarkable 31-3 record, they dominated the Big 12 by clinching both the regular season and conference tournament titles.
Their success earned them a No. 2 seed in Regional 3 and the privilege of hosting their first-round matchup. But all eyes are on Hailey Van Lith, who finds herself at the center of an intriguing storyline filled with potential future showdowns.
Hailey Van Lith’s NCAA Tournament Path
TCU’s tournament journey begins with a matchup against No. 15 Fairleigh Dickinson, a game they are heavily favored to win. However, the real excitement lies in the potential second-round clash against No. 7 seed Louisville—Van Lith’s former team.
Before transferring to TCU, she spent three years with the Cardinals, leading them to two Elite Eights and a Final Four. This possible reunion has fans buzzing, but Van Lith is keeping her focus on the bigger picture.
During Selection Sunday, ESPN’s Holly Rowe asked Van Lith how she would describe a potential showdown with Louisville, offering her three choices: “fun, spicy, or loving.”
Van Lith’s response kept the attention on her approach to the game rather than the emotions of facing her former team.
“I think that I’m excited to play a first-round game at home, and you know, after that, the thing about me is I’m going to play,” Van Lith said.
“It could be a 16 seed, it could be a one-seed, and I’m gonna bring the same energy and the same passion and be the same type of player, so no matter who it is on the other side, you’re going to get the same Hailey,” Van Lith told Rowe.
Her answer sent a clear message—this tournament is not about personal matchups but about winning it all. While fans and analysts might try to create a storyline of a revenge game, Van Lith is solely focused on advancing through the bracket.
If Van Lith and the Horned Frogs continue their winning ways, the tournament could present an even bigger storyline down the road: a championship battle against LSU, the team she played for last season.
Van Lith transferred to LSU after her time at Louisville, helping the Tigers reach the Elite Eight before falling to Caitlin Clark and Iowa in one of the most highly anticipated rematches in women’s college basketball history.
After her season with LSU, Van Lith found herself at a crossroads, contemplating her next move while also trying out for the U.S. Olympic 3-on-3 team. Eventually, she decided on TCU, but not before helping Team USA secure a bronze medal in Paris.
The decision to transfer was a whirlwind process, but according to Van Lith, she felt an undeniable pull toward TCU and head coach Mark Campbell.
The Divine Intervention That Led to TCU
Reflecting on the chaotic period of her life, Van Lith explained how everything aligned in a way that felt beyond her control.
“It was a chaotic time for me,” she said. “There’s a lot going on, and for me to really feel like every day I wake up, something was telling me to pick up the phone and call (Campbell) like that. So, I can’t really explain what I think it was. Besides, you know, just divine intervention.”
It turns out Campbell had been pursuing Van Lith since her high school days in Washington, back when he was an assistant coach at Oregon. Despite choosing other paths before, she finally landed with him at TCU.
MORE FROGS: How Far Can Hailey Van Lith, TCU Horned Frogs Go In March Madness?
According to Campbell, the recruitment process took an amusing turn when he initially contacted her father, Corey Van Lith, before speaking with Hailey directly. Fortunately, that decision didn’t backfire, as Hailey was already considering TCU.
“Hailey is one of those kids that changes your whole program in every area,” Campbell said. “She has no chill. She goes. She is the ultimate competitor in everything she does, in her grind and her preparation. We have a pro that’s still in college is what we have.”
Now, Van Lith and TCU are in a prime position to make a deep tournament run. Whether she faces her old teams or not, one thing is certain—she will bring the same relentless energy and passion that has made her one of the most electrifying players in college basketball.
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