Dara Mabrey, a starting guard for the No. 7 Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball team, suffered an ACL injury on Sunday and is out for the season.
That also means the end of her college career, which she started with the Virginia Tech Hokies.
Mabrey was hurt in the opening minutes of the Irish's 76-54 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers when she got a steal and was fouled going to the basket. She was averaging 9.3 points per game and is the Irish's leader in 3-pointers with 33 this season.
"While it is certainly not the way I wanted to go out, I'm confident that everything happens for a reason," Mabrey said Monday in a post on social media. "I know I will find peace with my situation as I recover in the coming months. While my time on court might be done, I'm ready to continue to lead my team from the sideline."
The Irish will have a lot to make up for in the absence of Mabrey, who averaged 29.4 minutes per game for Notre Dame. The Irish are 16-2 overall and co-leaders of the ACC with the Duke Blue Devils at 7-1.
Mabrey is the younger sister of former Notre Dame players Michaela and Marina Mabrey. Michaela is now a Notre Dame assistant coach. Marina currently plays in the WNBA, where she is a restricted free agent with the Dallas Wings. Dara played her first two seasons at Virginia Tech, from 2018 to 2020, then transferred and played her last three seasons at Notre Dame.
Dara Mabrey finishes her college career with 301 3-pointers between her time at Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. Marina had 274 3-pointers at Notre Dame, and Michaela 228.
"The endless love, support and prayers I've received over the last day are a testament to how special this community is," Dara Mabrey posted. "I am so grateful for my time in a Notre Dame uniform."