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Hailey Van Lith Makes Promise After Loss to Indiana Fever

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Parker Johnson | Last updated Jun 8, 2025 7:43 AM ET

Following a 35-point loss to the Indiana Fever in their 2025 WNBA season opener, Chicago Sky head coach Tyler Marsh promised that the loss to the Caitlin Clark-led team would not define their season.

Three weeks later, the Sky have a 2-5 record after getting blown out again by the Fever at home 79-52 on Saturday, even though Indiana was playing without Clark.

To make matters worse, Chicago lost veteran point guard Courtney Vandersloot to an apparent lower body injury in the first quarter of the game. The shaken Sky team finished the game with just 11 assists on 18 made baskets while shooting 32.1 percent from the field.

In the postgame press conference, it was Hailey Van Lith's turn to make a big promise to the fans.

"It's heartbreaking to watch anybody, but especially one of your teammates and someone who means so much to us as Sloot does to our team and this organization," Van Lith said of Vandersloot's injury.

A first-round draft pick out of TCU in 2025, Van Lith is likely to be in line for more minutes if Vandersloot remains out for an extended period of time.

The 23-year-old rookie played a career-high 26 minutes against Indiana, finishing with seven points, two rebounds, zero assists and three turnovers.

WHAT A FINISH BY HAILEY VAN LITH‼️

IND-CHI on CBS | WNBA Commissioner's Cup presented by @coinbase pic.twitter.com/vb92jrw1Hl
— WNBA (@WNBA) June 8, 2025

She left the disappointing game determined to make the most of the unfortunate circumstances facing her team. According to Marsh, Vandersloot was Chicago's "engine," averaging 10.6 points, 3.1 rebounds and 5.3 assists per contest.

"Whatever's in store for the future of this team, we'll make this moment mean something in the end," Van Lith promised.

She added that she wants Chicago to see the gut-wrenching loss and Vandersloot's possible absence "change the path" of the team's season.

Hailey Van Lith on Courtney Vandersloot’s injury. #Skytown pic.twitter.com/xRAAa4t7T9
— Chicago State of Mind Sports (@ChiStateOfMind_) June 8, 2025

With more minutes looking like a reality, Van Lith will have every opportunity to make her words count when the Sky return to action against the 8-0 New York Liberty on Tuesday.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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