Louisville’s Hailey Van Lith Has Contentious Exchange After Win vs. Texas

Texas guard Sonya Morris made sure to grab Van Lith and exchange some heated words after the Cardinals’ second-round win.

Led by a 21-point effort from guard Hailey Van Lith, Louisville scored a 73–51 road win over Texas on Monday, advancing to the Sweet 16 for the sixth consecutive tournament. Immediately afterward, Van Lith was not the most popular person in Austin—at least among the Longhorns players.

As the teams lined up to shake hands after the game, Van Lith and Texas guard Sonya Morris had what appeared to be a contentious exchange. Morris kept ahold of Van Lith’s hand while speaking to her until Van Lith pushed her hands away and kept walking down the handshake line without speaking to her.

I don't know what was said here. But here is Hailey Van Lith going through the handshake line with Texas. Sonya Morris was first in line for the Longhorns to talk to Van Lith. pic.twitter.com/YqvnmwiRdn

— Tyler Greever (@Tyler_Greever) March 21, 2023

After the game, Van Lith was asked about the encounter, and chalked up the interaction to frustration without divulging specific details on what was said.

“I think there was some frustration going on. All respect, Texas is a great team. I don’t have anything to say,” Van Lith told reporters after the game, per Alexis Cubit of the Courier-Journal. “I’m not gonna let no one disrespect me. But my teammates got my back. And I don’t have nothing bad to say. They’re coached great. They have great players. So it is what it is. People are sad when they lose, I’d be sad too.”

Van Lith played all 40 minutes of the game, shooting 9-for-15 from the field with three assists and two steals. Louisville will face No. 8 seed Ole Miss in the Sweet 16 on Friday in Seattle.