It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Notre Dame- Mary Atop the Golden Dome gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Notre Dame, IN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Our mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and immediately needed meds administered multiple times a”
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from”
“They really help people when they need it”
“I've had caregivers for about 5 years now. Only having been disappointed and frustrated. Since”
“Carole is an excellent caring professional. She has been extremely helpful in advising us and”
“Our mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer and immediately needed meds administered multiple times a day. After speaking to the independent living center where she resided, our family decided to hire Always Best Care for the meds (and then later for 24-hour aids). We cannot say enough about Darlene and Candy, as well as the numerous aids. Even at the end when our mom no longer needed the meds, they would often stop by to see her anyway. We generally do not give reviews of companies, but their caring approach was exceptional and we decided it was appropriate for others who need these services to know about our experience.”
“I have worked alongside Always Best Care and they have been amazing. Very quick to help out patients in need and staff is very polite and professional.”
“ABC is a great place to be! Thank you Patti, Stephanie, and Michele for all you do! You all are Awesome & thank you for the honors of being part of the team also acknowledging myself for Employee of the Month of March! You all are appreciated”
“Best Company I’ve ever encountered. I love how flexible and efficient they are. I love the open door policy. Michelle is my favorite schedule she does an amazing job with communication.”
“Always Best Care has been exceptional the four years i’ve worked there. The staff and schedulers, especially Michele, are helpful in finding compatibility for your clients, they’re also flexible in scheduling hours. Great company, great staff.”
“I give always best care of 5 stars. They are caring and have a sincere heart I love working with this agency..”
“it is my pleasure to leave a review for the Coffee need that support the most I would like Stephanie Kramer for supporting me and helping me get through my work schedules and feel comfortable at my place of employment. I am sad to see that she left Scheduling , but she still tries her best to help everyone even with her new position. Her dedication means everything I would like to Tasha as well for communicating with me so much I also cannot forget Patricia and Michelle as well. You ladies help me so much with my client. I greatly appreciate you ladies. I appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that you ladies have with meeting me halfway when it comes to our job it definitely makes everything much easier. Keep up the great work as well as the rest of the staff thank you ladies for everything that you do and congratulations Monique on your new position.”
“I have worked with more home health agencies than I care to remember, both in GA and MI, when I worked in healthcare; and I have to say that Always Best Care is one of the best home health care agencies that I have found since the early 90's !!! I have been a client with Always Best Care since February 2022 and I have been extremely pleased with the help I have received both from my caregivers and the office staff. All the staff work hard and the quality of care is exceptional!!! The few occasions that I didn't like a caregiver because of either poor work ethic or personality, Always Best Care always took care of finding another caregiver to better meet my needs ASAP!! When I first started with Always Best Care I did get a few caregivers that weren't a good fit. But, within a very short period of time my scheduler learned my specific needs and personality and she found caregivers for me that were a wonderful match!! As in every area of healthcare, the high turnover of employees is to be expected!!! But, Always Best Care has always made sure that I have a new caregiver that matches my needs and expectations!! I have and would, highly recommend Always Best Care for your home health daily care!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“We used ABC several years ago for my dad, after he had a stroke. I called a few months ago to set up a care plan for my elderly mom. She had a hip replaced, and lives alone. I knew we would feel better having someone there to help her and visit with her until she could get up and around on her own. ABC works through our scheduling nightmares (mom tends to send people home early, and tell them not to come back)….and they have been SO patient with our ever changing and increasing needs for mom. Their response time and communication are impeccable!!”
“I love the company I think they really do care about the employee the residents”
“I love working for Always Best Care The staff is very helpful, encouraging wonderful, loving family. Thank you for the opportunity of serving for your company thank you to Michelle, who is always looking out for me and making sure that I have the hours that I need.”
“Always Best Care gives great encouragement and support to their caregivers during any situation or time of need. The care and dedication to their staff is incredible and I throughly enjoy my time working along side them!”
“Stephanie Stevens is a great CSD! Thanks for all you do!”
“Always Best care is amazing!”
“Always Best Care is a great company. Not only do they provide the best care for their clients, but they go above and beyond for their staff as well.”
“We have used Always Best Care two different times for our Mother. Both times the care was excellent. I have referred Always Best Care to several people.”
“Hi my name is Linda and I've been working with always best care for 2 years now and it's a great atmosphere I like coming in to work meeting new people. It's a place that's kind friendly and it makes you feel at home it makes you feel that you're working with people that understand you know you're different needs your different hours and if something come up they are there to help you with anything that you need help with it's a great company I'm so glad I signed up with the company I signed up a little bit after the pandemic and I just needed somewhere that I could really consider myself at home or I find a home and I have I'm amazed at how the people are so nice when you talk to them on the phone how nice they are friendly you can tell this saying it with a smile I enjoy working there I tell people ask me where I work at always best care they like what yeah always best care yes it's a nice company sign up with it you won't regret it I'm glad I do it I'm really glad I did”
“I have used quite a few different providers and ABC is by far the best company. From the office staff to the caregivers, they are doing what they love and it shows.”
“Always best care has always been there when I needed them! They make it convenient for me to take care of my father. I most definitely recommend them!”
“Great place to work at very professional and appreciative for their staff”
“Overall a great company to work for! They do a wonderful job recognizing caregivers; from big recognition like a monthly caregiver award and random drawings, to small recognition such as any time you visit the office you are free to grab snacks, beverages, gear and more often than not there is some type of food they have ordered that is available. They really don’t hold back in this area! There has been quite a bit of changes made in office positions within the last year. Response time, outside of the scheduling department, can be improved upon.”
“They really help people when they need it”
“I've had caregivers for about 5 years now. Only having been disappointed and frustrated. Since Always Best Care came into my life, my worries have ended. I never knew if previous caregivers were going to show up, or do what I needed. Everytime they would complete a task, they would sit down and be on their phone. Kari and Jamisha finish a task and right to the next. No problems. My mind has been put at ease. They are very professional yet so so friendly. They ask, what else they can do for me. I also have my ABC emergency call button. Now I have peace of mind if an emergency should arise. My case coordinator Stephanie Stevens. Stays right on top of my case. Thank you so much for making my life easier. I have recommended your company to others that may need assistance in the future.”
“Carole is an excellent caring professional. She has been extremely helpful in advising us and in scheduling care. With respect to the caregivers, we have no complaints. We want to give a special thank you to Rhona for her time and effort in creating a special bond with our mother.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Governor Joseph Kernan Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Traditions or visit The Word of Life Mural, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Notre Dame, IN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Notre Dame, IN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Notre Dame, IN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
And then there were three.With grad senior center Kylee Watson joining the outgoing transfer portal brigade on Wednesday, Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey has gone from having the No. 1 women’s basketball team in the nation in 2024-25 to a massive roster rebuild for 2025-26 in the span of six weeks.Watson joins point guard Olivia Miles, reserve center Kate Koval and injured reserve guard Emma Risch as outgoing transfers, all announcing their intentions in the past three days and all within a week of...
And then there were three.
With grad senior center Kylee Watson joining the outgoing transfer portal brigade on Wednesday, Notre Dame coach Niele Ivey has gone from having the No. 1 women’s basketball team in the nation in 2024-25 to a massive roster rebuild for 2025-26 in the span of six weeks.
Watson joins point guard Olivia Miles, reserve center Kate Koval and injured reserve guard Emma Risch as outgoing transfers, all announcing their intentions in the past three days and all within a week of the Irish (28-6) being ousted in the NCAA Tourney’s Sweet 16 by TCU, 71-62, Saturday in Birmingham, Ala.
All four players were McDonald’s All-Americans as high school seniors.
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The latest imminent departure leaves All-America guard Hannah Hidalgo, key reserve guard Cass Prosper and 2025 redshirt guard KK Bransford as the only scholarship returnees for next season. That is if there’s no further roster hemorrhaging.
The 6-foot-4 Watson came through the transfer portal two seasons ago after spending her first two seasons at Oregon.
The Linwood, N.J., product was a two-year starter for the Irish, averaging 6.8 points and 4.2 rebounds in 33 games in 2023 and 6,2/5.0 in 2024 in 31 games before suffering an ACL tear during the ACC Tournament. Watson didn’t play in 2025 while still rehabbing from that injury.
The women’s college basketball transfer portal opened for business on March 25 and remains open until the end of the day on April 23. The Irish signed just one high school prospect in the 2025 class, McDonald’s All-American Leah Macy, but the 6-3 forward’s availability for next season is in doubt because of a knee injury she suffered late in her senior season.
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The 2025 WNBA draft has just received a huge shakeup.Notre Dame guard ...
The 2025 WNBA draft has just received a huge shakeup.
Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles was projected to be the No. 2 overall pick in USA TODAY Sports’ latest mock draft, following UConn's Paige Bueckers, the consensus No. 1 overall pick, but Miles is reportedly holding off on turning pro. Miles will forgo the 2025 WNBA draft and instead enter the NCAA's transfer portal using her final season of eligibility, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday.
Miles, 22, teamed up with Hannah Hidalgo to form one of the best backcourt duo in the country at Notre Dame this season, nearly two years removed from a season-ending knee injury. Miles averaged a career-high 15.4 points, an ACC-leading 5.8 assists and 1.4 steals in 34 games this season. However, the All-ACC First Team guard struggled to get much going on offense or defense in the 2025 women's NCAA Tournament, which marked her first since 2022.
Miles averaged just 6.6 points in three March Madness games this season and was regularly sidelined during defensive crunch time. She scored two points in No. 3 seeded Notre Dame's first-round win over No. 14 seed Stephen F. Austin, but suffered a sprained ankle in the process. Miles played through the injury and had eight points in the Fighting Irish's second-round win over No. 6 seed Michigan and 10 points in Notre Dame's loss to No. 2 seed TCU in the Sweet 16.
"At the end of the day, my goal coming to Notre Dame was to leave Notre Dame better than I found it and I think I did a pretty good job of that," Miles said Saturday after her season ended. "I love all my teammates in that locker room. We've stayed together. We've grown so much through this entire season. We are very proud of the work we've done, and ultimately we have had fun. That's really what this is all about. You sign up as a kid because it's fun to throw a ball in a hoop and look where it's gotten us to at this point?"
Miles enrolled early at Notre Dame and joined the team in January 2021 for the 2020-21 season, where she averaged 9.3 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists in six games. In the 2021-22 season, Miles increased her average to 13.7 points per game, and she recorded an ACC-leading 7.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds per game. She became the first freshman in NCAA tournament history, women's or men's, to record a triple-double with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in Notre Dame's 89–78 first-round victory over UMass.
Miles averaged 14.3 points, 7.3 rebound and an ACC-leading 6.9 assists her sophomore year in the 2022-23 season. She surpassed Skylar Diggins-Smith and Jackie Young for the most triple-doubles in Notre Dame history with the third of her career on Dec. 10, 2022 vs. Merrimack. Miles' season ended prematurely, however, after she suffered a season-ending knee injury during the team's regular-season finale.
She missed the 2023 NCAA Tournament and the entire 2023-24 season as a result of her knee injury.
"I wouldn't wish that injury on my worst enemy," Miles said Friday following news of USC superstar JuJu Watkins' ACL tear in the No. 1 seeded Trojans' second-round win over No. 9 seeded Mississippi State. "My heart breaks for anyone that goes through that."
Miles returned to the lineup this season and made a statement in her first game back with another triple-double (20 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists) vs. Mercyhurst to open the season on Nov. 4. She became the first player in ACC history to record consecutive triple-doubles a month later against Loyola (Mayrland) and Virginia. Miles' three triple-doubles led the nation this season and her six career triple-doubles is tied for 7th all-time in women's college basketball.
"They will always have a special place in my heart, because they believed in me when I took over this program and being a first-time head coach" Notre Dame's Niele Ivey said on Saturday, referring to Miles and Sonia Citron being part of her first recruiting class as head coach. "It just speaks to their loyalty, the vision that they were looking for, for the institution of their choice, being Notre Dame, and the vision I had with them being my premiere guards. I'm just grateful that they trusted in that and, again, there is a bond that I will always have with both of those two."
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South Bend Tribune...
South Bend Tribune
SOUTH BEND —Jared Dawson mostly remembers all the green.
A Louisville graduate transfer, the sixth-year defensive tackle gave Notre Dame football fits in the Irish Wear Green game last September. Even though Dawson wound up on the losing end of a 31-24 slugfest, he smiled at the memory after a recent spring practice with his new teammates.
“It was an all-green game, so it was a crazy environment,” Dawson said. “It kind of felt like home.”
The intensity of the affair might make that seem like a stretch, but Dawson, a 6-foot-1, 300-pound menace from Collierville, Tenn., was able to channel that energy into a sense of belonging.
“When you’re warming up in front of the fans, you kind of feel like they’re cheering for you,” he said. “It felt pretty much like home to me.”
Dawson missed Louisville’s home romp over the Irish in October 2023, one of three games he sat out at midseason with an undisclosed ailment. He more than made up for that with his production in a losing cause last season.
In 22 defensive snaps, he finished with five tackles. His 83.0 grade via Pro Football Focus was the third-best of his three-year run as a Cardinals regular.
Irish defensive line coach Al Washington was focused on the Louisville offense that day, but he couldn’t take his eyes off Dawson on film when it was time to assess him as a possible transfer portal addition.
“He's a disruptor, man,” Washington said. “He's explosive, powerful. That was the thing that I liked about his game. And he plays with a motor and an edge. Those are the things that I think he showed in a game against us because our (offensive) line is arguably the best.”
Notre Dame’s interior offensive line that day – center Pat Coogan (Indiana), guards Rocco Spindler (Nebraska) and Sam Pendleton (Tennessee) – all wound up leaving via the transfer portal in late January, but Dawson’s determination to blow through double teams struck a chord.
“We played at a high level (as a defensive front) because our O-line every day played at a high level,” Washington said. “You saw it throughout the playoff. That's how you're able to play the brand we play. For (Dawson), playing in that game and having some moments of disruption was awesome. That's what I liked.”
Dawson finished the year ranked third on the team in both tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (4.0). He’s averaged about 20 defensive snaps per game over the past three seasons.
With defensive stalwarts Rylie Mills and Howard Cross III off to the NFL Draft, Dawson won’t be asked to replace either man’s workload on his own. But he also hopes to take his game to another level in his final college season.
“It’s been a lot different (in practice) than I’m used to but in a good way,” he said. “It’s been a smooth transition. It’s a different culture but I feel like I fit right in.”
Sharing drill reps with the likes of upperclassmen Gabriel Rubio, Jason Onye and Donovan Hinish has Dawson on an upward progression.
“They’re just a really responsible, driven kind of group,” Dawson said. “There’s never any drop-off any day. No complaining. I like all of that. They’re taking time for us to get good at the fundamental things. We’re getting 1% better every day.”
Since committing on Jan. 11, Dawson remains sold on the vision Notre Dame laid out for him in the whirlwind recruiting process.
“Talking to the coaches and (hearing) their mindset of the plans they had for me, they want me to the best the best me I can be and in doing that help the team,” he said. “That’s my goal. Get back to the national championship and make everybody look good.”
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
Notre Dame’s mass exodus following a Sweet 16 exit from the NCAA Tournament continued on Wednesday after a fourth player ...
Notre Dame’s mass exodus following a Sweet 16 exit from the NCAA Tournament continued on Wednesday after a fourth player entered their name into the transfer portal.
Olivia Miles has already decided to enter the transfer portal instead of the WNBA Draft in a shock move after head coach Niele Ivey praised her as a "generational talent". Junior guard Emma Risch and sophomore center Kate Koval have also entered the transfer portal and now been joined by another teammate.
According to On3, Graduate senior Kylee Watson will be transferring from Notre Dame this offseason and possesses a “do not contact” tag - insinuating that the forward already knows what program she’s joining.
Last March, Watson tore her ACL in the ACC Tournament semifinal game against Virginia Tech. She was subsequently forced to miss the entire 2024-25 campaign - during which Notre Dame went 28-6 before falling to TCU, 71-62, in March Madness.
After transferring to Notre Dame from Oregon prior to the 2022-23 season, Watson appeared in 64 games - all of which were starts - for the Fighting Irish. Over two seasons, the former McDonald’s All-American averaged 6.5 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
Following the flurry of roster changes, Notre Dame’s four players who entered the transfer portal match the number of scholarship student-athletes that remain on the upcoming season’s roster. As of writing, freshman forward Leah Macy, junior guard Hannah Hidalgo, redshirt junior guard KK Bransford and senior guard Cassandre Prosper are the only ones left standing.
Among the series of transfer portal entries, none has garnered more attention than that of Miles. While many expected the projected No. 2 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft to take her talents to the next level, she sent shockwaves across the NCAA landscape by choosing to play her final year of college eligibility.
Perhaps even more surprising than Miles’ decision to remain in college was her choice to leave Notre Dame and play for another program. There will be plenty of suitors looking to acquire the 22-year-old after she averaged 15.4 points, 5.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds over 34 games while leading the nation with three triple-doubles and making the All-ACC First Team.
This isn’t to say, however, that Risch and Koval won’t also be missed. The former averaged 5.7 points in 13 games played, but suffered a season-ending hip injury in February only one year after the same health setback limited her to seven games. Her last appearance for Notre Dame came in the 89-63 win over Boston College on January 23.
As for Koval, she averaged 5.3 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.3 assists in just over 18 minutes per game this year - though likely entered the transfer portal in hopes of finding more playing time elsewhere.
Click here for important updates to our privacy policy.FOOTBALLSouth Bend TribuneSOUTH BEND — For Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, sophomore linebacker for ...
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South Bend Tribune
SOUTH BEND — For Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, sophomore linebacker for Notre Dame football, the motivational aspect remains vivid.
In the first raw minutes that followed a 34-23 loss to Ohio State in the national championship game, he made sure to look around the room and burn those painful images into his memory bank.
“I think about sitting in the locker room and seeing my brothers break down and cry,” Viliamu-Asa said Wednesday morning after practice. “The vision for this year is to go back and finish it.”
Having pushed his sprained right knee through a season-high 43 defensive snaps in the title game, Viliamu-Asa came away more determined than ever.
He figures it took him until late February or early March before his knee fully recovered from the scary setback he suffered six snaps into the Army game at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 23.
After sitting out the regular-season finale at USC and a College Football Playoff win over Indiana, he returned as a third-down edge rusher for the Sugar Bowl win over Georgia.
“As soon as he gets hurt,” linebackers coach Max Bullough said, “he’s smart enough, mature enough to know your job flips from playing football to getting back on the field.”
After 13 snaps against the Bulldogs and 25 more in the Orange Bowl win over Penn State, the product of St. John Bosco in Bellflower, Calif., finished an eye-opening freshman year with six tackles against the Buckeyes.
His 37 tackles last season rank sixth among Notre Dame’s returning players, and his quickness and bend off the edge should enable him to terrorize opposing quarterbacks, starting with Miami’s Carson Beck in Week 1.
“You can’t say enough about Kyng,” Bullough said. “He’s a pro. He practices, prepares and acts like it. We knew once he got back, he’d contribute. When he’s on the field, you’re going to feel him.”
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 231 pounds, nine pounds lighter than he finished last season, he worked with team nutritionist Alexa Appelman to reshape his body with an eye toward an even bigger role in 2025.
“It was great to get thrown in the fire as a freshman,” Viliamu-Asa said. “As the weeks went on, I was able to gain more experience and feel more comfortable out there. … The greatest teacher is experience.”
A week after getting bumped off course in pass coverage on an 83-yard touchdown pass in the loss to Northern Illinois, Viliamu-Asa came back with his first career interception at Purdue.
The biggest lesson of Year 1?
“Getting adjusted to the speed of the game and understanding you have to play with great detail as well as great effort,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent out here, so the littlest thing that you let slide is going to cost you.”
Loren Landow, director of football performance, has helped “KVA” improve his hip mobility, strengthen core muscles and incorporate more stretching exercises into his routine.
The aim of all that, Viliamu-Asa said, is to “enhance my speed and on-field movement” as well as prevent injury and make him even better in space.
He even had Julio Rodriguez, Notre Dame’s de facto team barber at Mishawaka’s Exclusive Studios, cut his shoulder-length mane. That caused some double-takes around the Irish football facility. Viliamu-Asa’s hairstyle had become a key part of his on-field persona.
“I’ll probably grow it back,” he said. “Just wanted a fresh start.”
All parting of finding out if less really can be more when it comes to KVA 2.0.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
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