Top 2026 recruit Isabella Sangha commits to Notre Dame for volleyball and basketball

Top 2026 recruit Isabella Sangha has committed to Notre Dame for both women’s basketball and volleyball. The 6-3 post player prioritized finding a place where she could play both sports at a high level – and it came down to the Irish and Iowa State. 

“I think especially with the academics at Notre Dame, especially being raised in a high academic household, the big thing was having that,” Sangha told Rivals. “I had a great relationship with the volleyball coaches at Notre Dame, so that was another big thing too. I grew up watching Notre Dame with Coach [Niele] Ivey and when Arike [Ogunbowale] was there and she hit the game winner – I have a whole story of why I was number 24 for a while because of her. I’ve always been a fan of Notre Dame, so I think especially with that connection and knowing this is a dream I’ve always had, I think that was the big deciding factor.”

Her relationship with the women’s basketball staff has also grown this summer. Sangha knows she’ll have to work hard to make an impact at Notre Dame, but she’s ready to give it her all.

“I have a lot of confidence in myself, so I know I can definitely play for a great program,” Sangha said. “It’s just really up to me. I think making a decision where I’m kind of in control of it, like where I can control how I get better, I can control what impact I make, is a big thing…I knew that I wasn’t going to regret a decision if I could control the outcome. I can control what I have to do to make an impact.”

Sangha can already see how she’ll fit into this Notre Dame play style. 

“Especially with how I run the court, I think it wouldn’t be a situation where I’m just a big and I stand there,” Sangha said. “I think it would definitely be using a lot of my athleticism and, kind of like how Maddy [Westbeld] played…She’s very versatile and she has good moves and mid-range and she’s around my size, maybe a little bit taller, I would say. But I think that is kind of the big thing – when they were able to play with her so well and have players that use their athleticism. Also, they have a lot of really good guards, so I know that if I’m in the right spot, or if I’m running the court, that they’ll get me the ball…Being able to develop under a really good coaching staff was important to me.”

While her arrival is still nearly a year away, Sangha has a lot to look forward to when she thinks about being at Notre Dame.

“The biggest thing is that it’s a dream come true,” Sangha said.