[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 30, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E642]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE 2013-2014 UNIVERSITY OF NOTRE DAME WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 
                                  TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE WALORSKI

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2014

  Mrs. WALORSKI. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to congratulate the 2013-
2014 University of Notre Dame Lady Irish Women's Basketball team on 
their perfect regular season and exciting NCAA tournament run. The team 
finished the regular season with an unbeaten record of 29-0 and 
finished the post season winning the Atlantic Coast Conference 
tournament, as well as competing in their third straight NCAA National 
Championship game.
   The Lady Irish were led by their head coach, Muffett McGraw and 
senior captains Kayla McBride, Natalie Achonwa, and Ariel Braker. These 
outstanding players led their team to 37 consecutive victories, the 
university's first ever regular season, the Atlantic Coast Conference 
tournament Championships, and a third consecutive National Championship 
game appearance. Altogether, the Lady Irish finished their first season 
in the ACC, the same way it ended its time in the Big East, with 
another dominating conference title.
   In addition, the Irish earned several prestigious individual 
conference and national honors. Along with the 37 game winning streak, 
Conference Championship, and Final Four appearance, Coach McGraw earned 
a sweep of the AP, Naismith, Pat Summit, and US Basketball Writers 
Association for Coach of the Year awards. Along with Coach McGraw's 
amazing accomplishment, the team had three AP All-American's with 
Seniors Kayla McBride and Natalie Achonwa and Sophomore Jewell Loyd. 
The team also won numerous Atlantic Coast Conference awards including: 
Coach of the Year (Coach McGraw), Player of the Year, (Kayla McBride) 
and ACC tournament MVP (Jewell Loyd). Along with those ACC awards 
McBride, Loyd, and Achonwa each earned all-conference honors as well. 
The hard work and dedication by the players and coaches showed in both 
the individual awards and their dominating run to the National 
Championship game. This team will be one that is remembered forever in 
university history for years to come.
   As a former basketball player and Representative of Notre Dame, it 
is my honor to recognize the hard work and success of the 2013-2014 
Lady Irish Basketball team. The dedication, selflessness, and 
sportsmanship these student athletes display is a model for young 
Hoosiers throughout Indiana. On behalf of Indiana's Second 
Congressional District, I am proud to recognize the University of Notre 
Dame Lady Irish's perfect regular season and amazing tournament run and 
wish them continued future success.

                          ____________________