PIC: Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall show off their close bond as they attend Iowa vs. Virginia showdown together
Iowa Hawkeyes fans got a glimse of their returning stars as Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall made it to the game against Virginia Tech Hokies at the Spectrum Center. Martin is coming off her debut WNBA season, where she got a taste of conference finals with the Las Vegas Aces. Marshall, meanwhile, has been studying at the University of North Carolina for her Master's.
The two share a close bond with junior Jada Gyamfi, who they have been in touch with after their Iowa exit. Martin and Marshall were spotted seated courtside, cheering for the Hawkeyes and dressed up in the program's merchandise. March Madness WBB posted one of their snaps.
"Hawkeyes sighting 🫶🤩 @katemartin & @gabbie.marshall #NCAAWBB x 📸 @iowawbb," the post read.
Even though the Hawkeyes cruised to a 71-52 win, the game had its nail biting moments. Iowa began the contest with a 26-16 first-quarter run, behind seven points from new offensive leader Lucy Olsen. However, the Hokies came back in the next stretch, mounting a 14-8 run and a 34-30 score at the half.
Nevertheless, Iowa sealed the deal in the third quarteru. They outscored Virginia Tech 22-10 by making nearly 70% of their shots and limiting the opposition to just 31% shooting.
Addison O'Grady (18), Hannah Stuelke (16) and Lucy Olsen (20) led the way as the remainder of the crew scored just 17 points.
Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall surprised Jada Gyamfi
Jada Gyamfi, Kate Martin and Gabbie Marshall were supposed to mount a 2-month long vacation this summer, where they would have rented a cabin in Colorado and lived a slower life than their Iowa days. However, Martin was picked in the second round of WNBA draft, canceling their plans.
So, when Marshall got a blank week at the start of October, she capitalized it plan a surprise with Martin. Without informing Gyamfi, the UNC student took multiple flights to Iowa, where she was picked up by the Aces guard.
Kate Martin and Marshall then sneakily enetered the campus, finding their way to Jada Gyamfi's room. Gabbie Marshall recorded the entire journey and posted it on TikTok on Oct. 10.
Three of them reunited again later in October when they met other teammates and coaches of the 2023-24 Iowa Hawkeyes roster.