Diggin' the scene.

Notre Dame had yet to beat Tennessee in 20 previous meetings that spanned over 28 years.  There’s always a first time for everything, and that time was Monday night.  The Fighting Irish clinched the first Final Four berth after yet another impressive performance over the top seeded Volunteers.

Last Saturday, Notre Dame crushed Oklahoma not only with their size and experience, but also some bruising defense and perimeter shooting.  Having lost to the Sooners in overtime last year, Notre Dame made sure that the outcome of their contest would be decided early.

Against Tennessee, Skylar Diggins 24 points powered the Irish in an epic win for the program.  Natalie Novosel added 17 points and Becca Bruszewski a.k.a “The Bruiser”, who was a game time decision, chipped in with 13 points.

Notre Dame are headed to their first Final Four since 2001, when they won it all, and will face a familiar opponent; Connecticut.  This will be the fourth meeting this season, with the Huskies having won the previous three.  The Irish played them close in their first meeting in January, losing by three, but the Huskies got the better of them in the next two.

That’s all in the past, however, and you can expect Diggins and crew to give it all they’ve got this time around.  It also doesn’t hurt that they’ll be playing behind a partisan crowd, with the fixture being in Indianapolis.

Tennessee coach Pat Summitt said it best, while to trying fire up her team in the locker room during half time, “That team out there (Notre Dame), they're on a mission!!”