Vanderbilt's Shea Ralph and Mikayla Blakes Build Chemistry for Sweet 16 Run Shea Ralph and her star point guard Mikayla Blakes have become central figures in Vanderbilt’s historic season, guiding the Commodores to their first Sweet 16 appearance under Ralph’s coaching. Their dynamic relationship, both on and off the court, has been a key factor in the team’s success, with Blakes earning recognition as one of the nation’s top freshmen and a Naismith Award finalist. The pair’s partnership has drawn attention, particularly from Breanna Stewart, a former UConn star and New York Liberty forward, who shared insights into their bond. Stewart, who played alongside Ralph during her time at UConn, highlighted how Ralph’s coaching style mirrors her own competitive spirit. “Shea is a super competitive person, and she puts in the work as a coach to get the best out of her players,” Stewart explained. Ralph’s ability to challenge her teams to excel, Stewart noted, resonates deeply with players who have experienced championship success. “Coming from her being a former player who’s won a National Championship, it hits a little bit differently when you’ve been through it all.” Ralph’s tenure at UConn, spanning 13 seasons from 2008 to 2021, coincided with Geno Auriemma’s dominance, including four consecutive titles from 2012 to 2016. Her history of working with elite athletes is evident in her current role at Vanderbilt. Blakes, who joined the Commodores ahead of the 2024-25 season, has quickly become a standout player. She was named SEC Freshman of the Year, earned the USBWA Tamika Catchings National Freshman of the Year award, and was a first-team All-American. Her sophomore season saw her secure SEC Player of the Year honors and a consensus All-American selection.#notre_dame #vanderbilt #mikayla_blakes #shea_ralph #breanna_stewart
Vanderbilt women's basketball gets Sweet 16 boost from AD Candice Story Lee Shea Ralph, the head coach of Vanderbilt’s women’s basketball team, has led the Commodores to their first Sweet 16 appearance in nearly two decades, a milestone she credits to the support and vision of athletic director Candice Storey Lee. Lee, who became the first woman and first Black woman to lead an SEC athletics department in 2020, has played a pivotal role in shaping the program’s success. Ralph emphasized that Lee’s commitment to maximizing the potential of student-athletes aligns with her own goals for the team. “It was the first time that I had heard a leader in her position, an athletic director, go so deep into how passionate she was about maximizing the true full potential of college student athletes,” Ralph said. Lee’s influence extends beyond coaching hires. She has made three impactful appointments, including Clark Lea, Mark Byington, and Ralph, each contributing to Vanderbilt’s athletic success. Under her leadership, the Commodores’ football team achieved a historic 10-win season for the first time in 122 years and produced a Heisman Trophy finalist. The women’s soccer team claimed an SEC championship, while both basketball teams have secured back-to-back 20-win seasons. Lee’s ability to foster a culture of excellence has been a cornerstone of Vanderbilt’s athletic achievements. The partnership between Lee and Ralph is rooted in shared values. Lee described Ralph as “playfully intense,” highlighting her blend of joy and dedication to the sport. “She’s joyful, she’s fun, she’s spirited, but she’s deeply, deeply intense and serious about her craft,” Lee said. Ralph echoed this sentiment, noting that the program’s success is built on relationships and community. “We are different,” she said. “It’s different.#sec #mikayla_blakes #vanderbilt_university #candice_story_lee #shea_ralph
Hannah Hidalgo calls Mikayla Blakes 'Caitlin-type of level' scorer FORT WORTH, Texas — Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo described Vanderbilt’s Mikayla Blakes as a scorer operating at a level comparable to Caitlin Clark, highlighting Blakes’ ability to score from all areas of the court. Ahead of their matchup in the Fort Worth 1 Regional semifinal, Hidalgo emphasized Blakes’ versatility during a pregame news conference. “The way she’s able to put the ball in the hoop, it’s like Caitlin-type of level,” Hidalgo said. “She can score on all three levels, whether that’s getting all the way to the basket, her midrange, or her three. Of course, that’s always tough to guard.” Blakes, who leads the nation in scoring with an average of 27 points per game, is on track for SEC Player of the Year honors. Hidalgo, ranked third nationally in scoring at 25.2 points per game, is a dual threat for Notre Dame, leading the nation in steals and earning ACC Player and Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Both players have faced each other before, with Blakes recalling their high school rivalry in New Jersey, where Hidalgo’s team emerged victorious. “It was a show. Two dynamic guards. I had to guard her the whole game,” Hidalgo said. “I think just her ability to do what she does, the things that she brings to her team is so different.” The matchup between Blakes and Hidalgo is significant, as it marks their first college encounter. Despite media focus on their individual skills, both players downplayed the personal aspect. “It’s not about me versus Mikayla,” Hidalgo said. “It’s about Notre Dame versus Vanderbilt. It’s really just the way that we’re going to win the game tomorrow is by playing together like we’ve been doing the past couple of months.#hannah_hidalgo #notre_dame #caitlin_clark #mikayla_blakes #fort_worth_1_regional
UConn's Sarah Strong, UCLA's Lauren Betts, Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes lead star-studded AP All-America 1st team The 34-0 UConn Huskies were prominently featured on the AP All-America team, with Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd becoming the 10th pair of teammates to earn first-team honors. This marks the first time since Oregon's Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard in 2020 that UConn has had two players named to the first team. Strong and Fudd were instrumental in leading the NCAA tournament favorite this season. Strong, a unanimous selection with 31 first-place votes, averaged 18.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.4 steals, and 1.6 blocks. She leads UConn in all categories except assists, where she trails only KK Arnold by 0.7. Strong also shoots 60.1% from the field and 42.7% from beyond the arc as a sophomore. Fudd, averaging 17.7 points, 3 assists, and 2.6 rebounds, shot 48.9% from the field and 44.6% from three-point range. Alongside Strong and Fudd, the first team includes Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes (29 first-place votes), Texas' Madison Booker (29 first-place votes), and UCLA's Lauren Betts. Blakes leads the NCAA in scoring with an average of 27 points per game. Betts, the Big Ten Player of the Year, was named to the first team and earned the conference's Defensive Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year. She helped UCLA secure a 31-1 season and its second straight Big Ten title. Booker, a second-team selection for the second year in a row, contributed to Texas' SEC tournament title after defeating South Carolina in the championship game. The second team includes Notre Dame's Hannah Hidalgo, South Carolina's Joyce Edwards, TCU's Olivia Miles, Iowa State's Audi Crooks, and Ohio State's Jaloni Cambridge.#uconn_huskies #sarah_strong #azzi_fudd #vanderbilt #mikayla_blakes
UConn's Sarah Strong and Azzi Fudd have been named to the AP All-America 1st team, becoming the first teammates in six years to achieve this honor. The duo helped UConn secure an undefeated season heading into March Madness, marking the 10th time in history that teammates have been selected to the first team, with seven of those instances involving UConn players. The last pair to accomplish this feat was Oregon's Sabrina Ionescu and Ruthy Hebard in 2020. Strong and Fudd were joined on the first team by Vanderbilt's Mikayla Blakes, UCLA's Lauren Betts, and Texas' Madison Booker. Strong, a unanimous selection from the 31-member national media panel, averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds per game while shooting 60.1% from the field. Fudd contributed 17.7 points and 4.2 rebounds, shooting 43.6% from beyond the arc. UConn coach Geno Auriemma praised their efforts, noting that Strong "picked up where she left off last season" and that Fudd's perseverance after overcoming challenges "has paid off." Blakes, a standout sophomore, led the nation in scoring with 27 points per game, adding 4.4 assists and a 45.8% field goal shooting rate. Vanderbilt coach Shea Ralph highlighted her impact, stating that Blakes has "cemented herself as one of the best players in the country" and "elevated her play against the toughest competition." Blakes became only the second first-team All-American in Vanderbilt's history, joining Chantelle Anderson in 2002. Betts, a senior for UCLA, averaged 18.5 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting 60.1% from the field. This marks her second consecutive season on the first team, making her the first Bruins player to earn this honor twice. UCLA coach Cori Close called Betts a "generational player," emphasizing her influence on both the court and the program. Booker, a junior for Texas, averaged 18.9 points and 6.#uconn #sarah_strong #azzi_fudd #vanderbilt #mikayla_blakes
