TikTok sensations, the Cavinder twins, revealed a member of their family suffered from personal health issues during their March Madness run to the Elite Eight with the University of Miami.
Miami’s Cinderella run came to an end Sunday night when they were defeated by No. 3 LSU 54-42, but the team’s stint was impressive after beating the No. 4 seed Villanova, the No. 1 Indiana and the No. 8 Oklahoma State had defeated in previous rounds.
22-year-old Cavinder twins Haley and Hanna, who have a social media following that surpasses most professional esports organizations — with 4.5 million followers on TikTok — have “vlogged” (video blogged) their journey through the tournament for their fans ).
And while posting the first part of their March Madness vlog, which came after Miami’s victories over the Cowboys and Hoosiers, the twins revealed they’d kept fighting despite a family member leaving the NCAA tournament due to health issues.
The day after Miami’s 62-61 win over Oklahoma that secured the Hurricanes a place in the Round of 32 of the tournament, Haley filmed herself speaking to the camera and revealed that while she and her sister were happy about the victory, but the result was bittersweet.
Hanna (L) and Haley (R) Cavinder announced they have continued playing despite family health issues
The Cavinder twins often post photos of the basketball court – together with them, of course
Together, the two sisters have built a social media following of 4.5 million fans on TikTok
“We’ve got the dub, so we’re in the round of 32,” Haley said. ‘It was really good. We had some family issues so one of my guys had to go back to Michigan. I’m not going to get involved in any of this, I like to stay offline, but that’s why my mood isn’t really good. But today is Sunday, so all we have to do is prepare for Indiana.”
After Miami’s big fuss over Indiana, Hanna claimed the win was very special as her family member appeared to have recovered.
“That was crazy, this game was crazy,” said Hanna. “Especially playing in Indiana, in front of their fans. I just can’t believe we’re going to Sweet 16.
“This video was pretty difficult to film. I know Haley mentioned personal health issues in our family and it was tough, our emotions were everywhere but all is well now. Consolidating that win was the icing on the cake.”
Miami would beat Vilanova (70-65) in the Sweet 16 before falling to LSU in the Elite Eight (42-54) on Sunday.
In their March Madness vlog, Hanna and Haley shared some of their interactions with family
Before Miami’s win over Oklahoma State, the twins had dinner with some relatives, who came to see them in action
Before the Hurricanes beat Indiana in the Round of 16, Haley & Hanna hosted their father at a bar
Early in the Hurricanes’ fairy tale run at the NCAA tournament, however, Hanna and Haley managed to include snippets of their family for their fans, first at a relatives’ dinner held before the Twins’ game against Oklahoma State — Miami’s first March Madness — Game.
“Hannah and I are up, we’re going to get some oatmeal,” Haley said on her vlog. “We’ll be admitted. We’ll leave in about 45 minutes to get our bodies moving.
“But yes, you saw our family again. We are very happy to have you here. um, [we’re] I’m going to hang out with them for a bit and see them so it’s gonna be a great day and we’re playing Oklahoma State at 2 so let’s get it.
Before the girls’ game against Indiana in the second round, the two sisters are seen at a bar with their father as they warm up for the Indiana cold.
“Dad wears a Miami hat…Dad, how are you feeling?” Haley asked before her father gave her a wink without saying a word to signal that he was fine and taking things easy.
Haley and Hanna also captured the moment their dad hugged them on camera after Miami reached the Sweet 16 of March Madness
The Cavinder twins may have reached new heights of fame at March Madness but failed to win the tournament after Miami’s Elite Eight lost to LSU
The twins’ family is featured again in the vlog as Haley shares highlights of her 9-point performance against the Hoosiers.
After taking her two free throws with just 12.7 seconds left on the rule and a score of 68-65 in favor of the Hurricanes, Haley rushes to the stands with her sister to watch their team qualify for the Sweet 16 of March Madness celebrate.
“I’m crying,” she captioned a Snapchat video that shows the moment she and Hanna are both hugged by the watching dad after the 70-68 win.
It remains unclear who exactly in the Cavander sisters’ family was dealing with personal health issues.