2025-26 Season

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Discussion for next season can start here. Lots to build upon!

[Bags]

Coach Lefler did a great job rebuilding the team. It’s hard to know how talented the younger players are, but with limited minutes I liked Bretons, and Ross. Need to retain McKale, Olbrys, Odenigbo, Ferguson. Looking at the roster not certain of the status of some of the “seniors “ and what eligibility they have. Coach will have to pick up some transfers. Need some outside shooters.Can’t count on incoming frosh to be difference makers. McKale was the exception.
Coach Mike will field a competitive team. The team plays hard and I like his defensive style with aggressive pressing and trapping.

[vanmeter]

I think Palmieri has another year of eligibility.

[wmmmfan]

I will be interested to see Taylor Derkack play next year as well after having to sit out. She was a very good HS player out of NJ.

[Steve81]

We know the MAC has some good women's basketball teams. On paper, looks like Western Michigan, ya, the same university that beat us in the NCAA Hockey Regional finals and our first MAC home football game, hire a good one.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan University Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae has announced the hiring of Kate Achter as the new head coach of the WMU women's basketball program. Achter, a proven program builder, is responsible for the largest turnaround in program history at Loyola Chicago, going from 2-28 to 18-12, and at Detroit Mercy, taking a 1-29 team to 32 wins over two seasons. She is known to be a relentless recruiter and brings a wealth of coaching experience, player development expertise, and an intimate knowledge of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) as a former standout at Bowling Green State University.

https://wmubroncos.com/news/2025/3/28/w ... coach.aspx

[Steve81]

Our women have a lot to be proud of. The Buffalo team that barely beat us on their home court has advanced to the WNIT Championship game.

[MikeUMA]

I will be interested to see Taylor Derkack play next year as well after having to sit out. She was a very good HS player out of NJ.

Tangent: Taylor's brother is headed to Dayton
https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/ ... XSFUELBR4/
https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/pl ... ack-1.html

[vanmeter]

At the Sports Luncheon last week, Mike Lefler spoke and said that Taylor Derkack would have definitely been a rotational player on this past years team had she not been injured preseason. Looking forward to seeing her next season.

[Steve81]

Found this a good post on MAC transfer ins and outs and update through May 1st by northcoastrocket.
I'll post the summary at the beginning of the thread.

Post: #1MyBB MAC WBB 2025 Transfer/ Graduation/ Signing Tracker
Updated May 1, 2024

Akron: 10 out, 5 in, 3 openings

Losses: 35p | 18r | 7a (56.1%)
◄ Shelbee Brown, Transfer; Sr, 5'11 F; 31g | 27gs | 14p | 9r | 1a (24.5%) > UNLV
◄ Alexus Mobley, Transfer; Sr, 5'7 G; 30g | 21gs | 12p | 5r | 2a (16.8%) > Loyola Chi
◄ Lanae Riley, Unknown; Jr, 6'0 F; 6g | 1gs | 4p | 2r | 0a (0.4%) [mid-szn/personal]
◄ Kaia Woods, Transfer; Sr, 5'3 G; DNP (0%) > BGSU
◄ Kyara Bakker, Transfer; Fr, 5'7 G; DNP (0%)
◄ Caroline Lyles, Transfer; Jr, 6'0 G; DNP (0%)
◄ Jaela Davis, Transfer; Jr, 5'8 G; NoR (0%)

◄ Zakia Rasheed, Grad; Sr, 5'8 G; 31g | 14gs | 6p | 2r | 2a (7.4%)
◄ Emily Hall, Grad; Gr, 5'6 G; 29g | 18gs | 3p | 3r | 2a (6.8%)
◄ Ellen Kinnaird, Grad; Fr, 5'11 G; 11g | 0gs | 0p | 0r | 0a (0%)

Gains:
► Izzy Callaway, Transfer; Fr, 5'7 G; 28g | 14gs | 14p | 2r | 1a < DII Walsh
► Keiryn McGuff, Transfer; So, 6'0 F; 22g | 9gs | 4p | 4r | 0a < BGSU

▲ Kailee Bransford, incoming Fr; 5’7 G; Mount Notre Dame, OH
▲ Monique Mitchell, incoming Fr; 5’10 F; Fort Wayne Washington, IN
▲ Corrine Reed, incoming Fr; 5’10 G; St Charles East, IL

Ball State: 10 out, 7 in, 4 openings

Losses: 65p | 31r | 14a (89.9%)
◄ Maliyah Johnson, Transfer; Gr, 6'3 F; 35g | 1gs | 6p | 3r | 1a (7.6%)
◄ Hailey Smith, Transfer; So, 5'10 F; 13g | 0gs | 2p | 2r | 1a (1.5%) > IU Indy
◄ Sydney Bolden, Transfer; Jr, 5'8 G; 21g | 1gs | 2p | 1r | 1a (1.2%) > IU Indy
◄ Olivia Smith, Transfer; So, 5'10 F; 11g | 0gs | 1p | 1r | 0a (0.3%) > IU Indy

◄ Ally Becki, Grad; Sr, 5'8 G; 35g | 35gs | 14p | 5r | 6a (22.3%)
◄ Marie Kiefer, Grad; Sr, 6'2 F; 35g | 35gs | 7p | 7r | 2a (15.3%)
◄ Alex Richard, Grad; Sr, 6'1 F; 27g | 27gs | 16p | 7r | 1a (15.1%)
◄ Lachelle Austin, Grad; Sr, 5'7 G; 35g | 35gs | 10p | 4r | 3a (12.1%)
◄ Elise Stuck, Grad; Gr, 6'1 F; 23g | 15gs | 10p | 5r | 1a (7.1%)
◄ Madelyn Bischoff, Grad; Sr, 5'9 G; 27g | 24gs | 10p | 3r | 1a (6.8%)

Gains:
► Karsyn Norman, Transfer; So, 5'6 G; 32g | 26gs | 3p | 1r | 3a < Butler
► Bree Salenbein, Transfer; RSr, 6'2 G; 21g | 2gs | 6p | 3r | 1a < Gonzaga

▲ Alba Caballero, incoming Fr; 6'3 F; Ciudad Real, ESP
▲ Giorgia Gorini, incoming Fr; 5'7 G; LSC Masnaga, ITA
▲ Aniss Tagayi, incoming Fr; 6'0 F; Montpelier, FRA
▲ Zhen Verburgt, incoming Fr; 6'0 F; Phantoms Boom, BEL
▲ Brooke Winchester, incoming Fr; 5'11 F; Warsaw Community, IN

BGSU: 7 out, 6 in, 1 opening

Losses: 39p | 13r | 8a (50.1%)
◄ Lexi Fleming, Transfer; Gr, 5'5 G; 23g | 22gs | 14p | 3r | 3a (13.4%)
◄ Keiryn McGuff, Transfer; So, 6'0 F; 22g | 9gs | 4p | 4r | 0a (4.3%) > Akron
◄ Kristiāna Kulačkovska, Transfer; Jr, 6'0 F; 17g | 0gs | 1p | 1r | 0a (0.8%) > NAIA Southeastern
◄ Brook Simpson, Transfer; Fr, 5'11 G; 2g | 0gs | 0p | 0r | 0a (0%) > Loyola Chi
◄ Taylor Wallace, Transfer; Fr, 5'6 G; 7g | 0gs | 0p | 0r | 0a (-0.1%)

◄ Amy Velasco, Grad; Sr, 5'7 G; 31g | 31gs | 16p | 3r | 5a (17.6%)
◄ Erika Porter, Grad; Gr, 6'2 F; 31g | 31gs | 11p | 6r | 1a (13.8%)

Gains:
► Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick, Transfer; So, 5'10 F; 22g | 0gs | 2p | 2r | 0a < Seton Hall
► Kaia Woods, Transfer; Sr, 5'3 G; DNP (7p in 23-24) < Akron
► Jaedyn Cook, JUCO Transfer; So, 6'3 F; 28g | 18gs | 10p | 5r | 2a < Odessa Col

▲ Denza Allen, incoming Fr; 6'1 F; Big Walnut, OH
▲ Ky'Aira Miller, incoming Fr; 5'6 G; Purcell Marian, OH
▲ Sofia Moschen, incoming Fr; 6'2 F; Leonardo Da Vinci, BRA [early enrollee]

Buffalo: 13 out, 6 in, 7 openings

Losses: 73p | 30r | 16a (96%)
◄ Kirsten Lewis-Williams, Transfer; So, 5'10 G; 36g | 36gs | 14p | 5r | 3a (18.5%) > USF
◄ Lani Cornfield, Transfer; Gr, 5'6 G; 36g | 29gs | 11p | 4r | 6a (17%) > Arizona
◄ Alexis Davis, Transfer; So, 6'0 F; 29g | 20gs | 6p | 5r | 1a (7%) > Monmouth
◄ Paula Lopez, Transfer; So, 5'8 G; 37g | 12gs | 3p | 2r | 2a (4.6%)
◄ Mallory Daly, Transfer; Fr, 5'8 G; 22g | 0gs | 1p | 1r | 1a (1.9%) > Robert Morris
◄ Jaylin Hartman, Transfer; So, 6'2 F; 8g | 0gs | 2p | 1r | 0a (0.3%) > DII Tampa
◄ Makenna Shaffer, Transfer; So, 6'1 G; 14g | 0gs | 1p | 0r | 0a (0%)
◄ Bri Barr-Buday, Transfer; Fr, 6’2 F; NoR (0%) > St. Bonaventure

◄ Chellia Watson, Grad; Gr, 5'8 G; 37g | 37gs | 21p | 5r | 3a (19.4%)
◄ Jordyn Beaty, Grad; Gr, 6'0 F; 33g | 13gs | 5p | 3r | 1a (7.4%)
◄ Ariana Seawell, Grad; Sr, 6'2 C; 35g | 5gs | 5p | 3r | 0a (6.8%)
◄ Terah Harness, Grad; Sr, 5'9 G; 37g | 15gs | 7p | 2r | 1a (6.6%)
◄ Sitota Gines, Grad; Sr, 5'10 G; 37g | 18gs | 4p | 2r | 1a (5.9%)

Gains:
◄ Janyah Bohanon, Transfer; So, 6'0 G; 29g | 0gs | 3p | 1r | 1a < Howard
◄ Alice Dart, Transfer; Fr, 5'10 G; 22g | 0gs | 1p | 1r | 0a < Washington St
◄ Amber Howard, Transfer; So, 6'0 F; 8g | 0gs | 0p | 0r | 0a < NC A&T

▲ Diann Jackson, incoming Fr; 6’1 F; Kenwood, IL
▲ Meg Lucas, incoming Fr; 6'1 F; Whittlesea Pacers, AUS
▲ Deana Thompson, incoming Fr; 5'8 G; Harvard-Westlake, CA

CMU: 7 out, 4 in, 2 openings

Losses: 16p | 12r | 6a (30.7%)
◄ Jess Lawson, Transfer; Sr, 5'7 G; 31g | 30gs | 11p | 9r | 3a (20.8%) > Loyola Marymount
◄ Satori Griffin, Unknown; Sr, 5'9 G; 16g | 0gs | 2p | 0r | 0a (-0.1%)
◄ Desrae Kyles, Transfer; So, 6'5 C; DNP (0%) > Ole Miss
◄ Karrington Gordon, Transfer; Sr, 6’0 G; NoR (0%)
◄ Tamara Ortiz, Transfer; So, 5’4 G; NoR (0%) > South Alabama

◄ Lisa Tesson, Grad; Sr, 5'7 G; 31g | 24gs | 4p | 3r | 3a (8.9%)
◄ Natalie Lathrop, Retired; Sr, 6'3 C; 21g | 1gs | 1p | 1r | 0a (1.1%)

Gains:
► Nekhu Mitchell, Transfer; Sr, 6'0 F; 32g | 4gs | 6p | 2r | 1a < George Mason
► Kara Bartels, JUCO Transfer; So, 6'3 C; 32g | 25gs | 15p | 9r | 1a < Lansing CC

▲ Rylan Buschell, incoming Fr; 5'6 G; Bellevile, MI
▲ Lilah Turnbull, incoming Fr; 5'8 G; Western Reserve (OH), PA

EMU: 12 out, 5 in, 7 openings

Losses: 35p | 13r | 8a (49.6%)
◄ Olivia Smith, Transfer; Jr, 5'5 G; 29g | 14gs | 10p | 2r | 2a (8.4%) > Hampton
◄ Elena Cabello, Transfer; Jr, 6'0 G; 29g | 20gs | 3p | 3r | 1a (7.8%) > Mercer
◄ Jada Williams, Transfer; Jr, 6'1 F; 19g | 1gs | 3p | 3r | 0a (5.3%)
◄ Dara Capaldi, Transfer; Jr, 5'9 G; 14g | 1gs | 2p | 2r | 1a (1.6%)
◄ ZaNiya Nelson, Transfer; Gr, 5'11 G; 4g | 4gs | 4p | 6r | 1a (0.9%) > UMES
◄ Olivia DiFranco, Transfer; Fr, 5'10 G; 11g | 0gs | 0p | 0r | 0a (0.1%) > St Bonaventure
◄ Chelsea Bishop, Transfer; Fr, 5'10 G; 11g | 0gs | 3p | 1r | 0a (0.1%)
◄ Ashley Hassett, Transfer; Gr, 5'10 G; DNP (0%) [JUCO waiver]
◄ Adrien LaMora, Unknown; Jr, 5'11 F; DNP (0%) [dropped mid-szn]

◄ Olivia Westphal, Grad; Sr, 5'9 G; 28g | 28gs | 8p | 2r | 1a (10.2%)
◄ Mackenzie Amalia, Grad; Gr, 5'5 G; 21g | 20gs | 9p | 2r | 5a (8.9%)
◄ Kyndal Lewis, Grad; Sr, 5'8 G; 23g | 2gs | 4p | 3r | 1a (6%)

Gains:
▲ Paula Balada, incoming Fr; 5'6 G; Basket Alemda, ESP
▲ Adrena Gordon, incoming Fr; 5'11 F; Example Academy, IL
▲ Peyton Hill, incoming Fr; 5'10 G; Incarnate Word, MO
▲ Believe Tshibangu, incoming Fr; 6'1 F; Royal Crown, CAN
▲ Allie Zajac, incoming Fr; 6'2 F; Tecumseh, MI

Kent State: 6 out, 4 in, 2 openings

Losses: 26p | 13r | 5a (37.6%)
◄ Bridget Dunn, Grad; Sr, 6'3 F; 33g | 33gs | 8p | 10r | 2a (19.7%)
◄ Jenna Batsch, Grad; Sr, 6'2 G; 33g | 33gs | 17p | 3r | 4a (16.3%)
◄ Kaley Perkins, Grad; Sr, 6'0 G; 8g | 2gs | 3p | 2r | 1a (0.9%)
◄ Lexy Linton, Grad; Sr, 5'8 G; 16g | 1gs | 1p | 0r | 0a (0.5%)
◄ Elena Maier, Grad; Sr, 5'9 G; DNP (0%)

Gains:
► Emory Klatt, Transfer; So, 5'10 F; 17g | 0gs | 1p | 2r | 0a < DePaul

▲ Anna Campanelli, incoming Fr; 5'10 G; Huntley, IL
▲ Caitlyn Holmes, incoming Fr; 5'6 G; Akron Ellet, OH
▲ Rylee Kalocay, incoming Fr; 5'9 G; Upper Sinclair, PA

UMass: 6 out, 2 in, 5 openings

Losses: Losses: 13p | 8r | 2a (22.3%)
◄ Aleah Sorrentino, Transfer; Sr, 6'3 F; 24g | 6gs | 3p | 2r | 0a (3.1%) > Stetson
◄ Kasey Bretones, Transfer; Fr, 5'11 G; 13g | 0gs | 2p | 1r | 1a (0.9%) > Marist
◄ Dallas Pierce, Transfer; So, 5'9 G; 17g | 0gs | 1p | 0r | 0a (0.3%) > Siena
◄ Avery Childers, Transfer; So, 5’10 F; DNP (0%) > DII WVa Wesleyan
◄ Mikenzie Jones, Transfer; Jr, 6'1 F; DNP (0%)

◄ Stefanie Kulesza, Grad; Gr, 6'0 G; 31g | 31gs | 10p | 7r | 2a (17.8%)

Gains:
▲ Anya George, incoming Fr; 5'8 G; Paul VI (NJ), PA
▲ Aiyanna Perkins, incoming Fr; 5'7 G; Bella Vista Prep, AZ

Miami: 10 out, 7 in, 4 openings

Losses: 42p | 14r | 7a (52.3%)
◄ Enjulina Gonzalez, Transfer; Jr, 5'9 G; 30g | 26gs | 17p | 4r | 2a (18.9%) > Georgia
◄ Cori Lard, Transfer; Sr, 5'9 G; 27g | 3gs | 2p | 2r | 1a (5%) > Winthrop
◄ Camille Jackson, Transfer; Jr, 5'11 G; 23g | 0gs | 3p | 1r | 0a (3.4%)
◄ Lakresha Edwards, Transfer; So, 6'0 G; 28g | 0gs | 3p | 1r | 0a (2.3%) > Fordham
◄ Hennessey Luu-Brown, Transfer; Sr, 5'7 G; 7g | 0gs | 3p | 2r | 1a (1.6%) [mid-szn transfer]
◄ Emily Bratton, Transfer; Fr, 5'7 G; 17g | 0gs | 3p | 1r | 0a (1.3%) > Marshall
◄ Ziul Gonzalez, Transfer; Fr, 5'7 G; DNP (0%)

◄ Maya Chandler, Grad; Gr, 5'7 G; 30g | 30gs | 11p | 2r | 2a (11.8%)
◄ Katey Richason, Grad; Sr, 6'1 F; 30g | 3gs | 5p | 3r | 1a (7.4%)
◄ Clare Chambers, Grad; Sr, 5'8 G; 11g | 0gs | 0p | 1r | 1a (0.5%)

Gains:
► Brooke Blumenfeld, Transfer; Jr, 6'0 F; 29g | 13gs | 9p | 3r | 0a < NIU
► Ashton Elley, Transfer; Jr, 5'10 G; 30g | 0gs | 2p | 2r | 1a < UAB
► Clara Gonzalez Planella, Transfer; Jr, 5'8 G; 26g | 8gs | 8p | 3r | 1a < Jacksonville, St
► Amber Scalia, Transfer; Jr, 5'9 G; 30g | 29gs | 15p | 4r | 3a < St Thomas
► Macie Taylor, Transfer; So, 5'7 G; 32g | 17gs | 8p | 3r | 2a < Wright St
► Mio Sakano, JUCO Transfer; So, 5'10 G; 32g | 32gs | 15p | 5r | 4a < S.Georgia Tech

▲ Emily VanTimmeren, incoming Fr; 6'3 F; Jenison, MI [early enrollee]

NIU: 9 out, 3 in, 6 openings

Losses: 54p | 25r | 11a (78.8%)
◄ Lexi Carlsen, Transfer; Fr, 5'8 G; 30g | 24gs | 8p | 3r | 2a (12.1%) > Drake
◄ Brooke Blumenfeld, Transfer; Jr, 6'0 F; 29g | 13gs | 9p | 3r | 0a (8.3%) > Miami
◄ Shannon Blacher, Transfer; So, 5'10 G; 26g | 0gs | 1p | 1r | 1a (2%)
◄ Kiylynn Dawkins, Transfer; Jr, 6'1 F; 11g | 0gs | 1p | 1r | 0a (0.6%)
◄ Maddy Fay, Transfer; So, 6'1 F; 14g | 0gs | 1p | 1r | 0a (0.6%)

◄ Chelby Koker, Grad; Gr, 5'6 G; 27g | 27gs | 15p | 5r | 5a (18.4%)
◄ Brooke Stonebraker, Grad; Gr, 6'3 F; 30g | 30gs | 11p | 6r | 1a (16.2%)
◄ Sidney McCrea, Grad; Gr, 5'10 G; 30g | 8gs | 7p | 3r | 1a (10.5%)
◄ Laura Nickel, Grad; Sr, 6'0 G; 30g | 18gs | 5p | 4r | 2a (9.7%)

Gains:
► Nevaeh Wingate, Transfer; So, 6'0 F; 16g | 2gs | 0p | 1r | 0a < St John's

▲ Cyra Conwell, incoming Fr; 5'5 G; Butler College Prep, IL
▲ Emilie Sorensen, incoming Fr; 5'9 G; Waukee, IA

Ohio: 6 out, 1 in, 4 openings

Losses: 27p | 9r | 2a (38.1%)
◄ Emma Barnett, Transfer; So, 6'1 F; 19g | 0gs | 2p | 1r | 0a (1.8%)
◄ Jaya McClure, Transfer; Jr, 5'6 G; DNP (0%) > UIC

◄ Kennedi Watkins, Grad; Sr, 5'10 G; 26g | 25gs | 15p | 4r | 1a (16.9%)
◄ Kate Dennis, Grad; Gr, 6'1 G; 29g | 29gs | 6p | 2r | 1a (11%)
◄ Anyssa Jones, Grad; Gr, 5'10 G; 22g | 14gs | 7p | 4r | 1a (7.2%)
◄ Aja Austin, Grad; Sr, 6'1 F; 9g | 1gs | 1p | 2r | 0a (1%)

Gains:
▲ Arianna Jennings, incoming Fr; 6'0 G; Harker Heights, TX

Toledo: 8 out, 6 in, 2 openings

Losses: 41p | 20r | 5a (61.2%)
◄ Emmi Rinat, Other; Sr, 6'0 G; 3g | 0gs | 1p | 0r | 0a (-0.1%) [mid-szn/personal]
◄ Courtney Smith, Transfer; Fr, 6'1 G; DNP (0%) > Montana St
◄ Heidi Smith, Transfer; Fr, 6'1 G; DNP (0%) > Montana St

◄ Sammi Mikonowicz, Grad; Gr, 5'10 G; 33g | 33gs | 13p | 7r | 1a (20.6%)
◄ Khera Goss, Grad; Gr, 5'9 G; 33g | 33gs | 11p | 4r | 2a (14.1%)
◄ Nan Garcia, Grad; Gr, 6'0 G; 33g | 3gs | 8p | 5r | 1a (11.8%)
◄ Jessica Cook, Grad; Sr, 6'2 F; 33g | 29gs | 5p | 3r | 1a (9.2%)
◄ Hannah Noveroske, Grad; Gr, 6'5 C; 26g | 1gs | 5p | 3r | 0a (5.3%)

Gains:
► Patty Anumgba, Transfer; Gr, 5'7 G; (DNP; 14p | 3r | 2a in 23-24) < Towson
► Evyn Carrier, Transfer; Fr, 6'4 C; 23g | 5gs | 4p | 4r | 0a < WMU
► Alexa Hocevar, Transfer; So, 6'1 F; 30g | 17gs | 8p | 5r | 2a < IU Indy
► Lizzy Puot, JUCO Transfer; So, 6'1 F; 35g | 35gs | 13p | 7r | 1a < Kirkwood CC

▲ Elisha Dykstra, incoming Fr; 5'11 G; Grand Rapids West Catholic, MI
▲ Camryn VandenBosch, incoming Fr; 6'1 W; Holland Christian, MI

WMU: 8 out, 4 in, 4 openings

Losses: Losses: 39p | 16r | 8a (62%)
◄ Marina Asensio, Transfer; Jr, 5'8 G; 30g | 30gs | 14p | 3r | 5a (19.1%)
◄ Evyn Carrier, Transfer; So, 6'4 C; 23g | 5gs | 4p | 4r | 0a (4.9%) > Toledo
◄ Maggie Stutelberg, Transfer; Sr, 5'11 G; 18g | 16gs | 5p | 2r | 0a (4.1%)
◄ Artemis Kouki, Transfer; Sr, 6'0 G; 27g | 3gs | 3p | 1r | 1a (3.7%)
◄ Sarah Rekowski, Transfer; Fr, 6'3 F; 18g | 1gs | 2p | 2r | 0a (2.2%)
◄ McKenna Macon, Transfer; So, 5'8 G; 6g | 0gs | 0p | 0r | 0a (-0.1%)

◄ Hannah Spitzley, Grad; Gr, 6'0 G; 30g | 30gs | 14p | 5r | 1a (24.6%)
◄ Megan Wagner, Grad; Gr, 5'7 G; 30g | 6gs | 2p | 2r | 1a (3.2%)

Gains:
► Kailey Starks, Transfer; Fr, 5'7 G; 30g | 5gs | 5p | 3r | 1a < Detroit Mercy
► Morasha Wiggins, Transfer; Sr, 6'0 G; DNP < Arizona St

▲ Emma Dibarboure, incoming Fr; 6'1 F; Madrid, ESP
▲ Olivia Flynn, incoming Fr; 5'9 G; Harbor Springs, MI

[Steve81]

NorthcoastRocket has another thread out on each team.
Here is the thread with each teams write up.
https://csnbbs.com/thread-1011835.html
This is the UMass Post.

RE: MAC WBB 2025-26 Roster Changes
UMass (New to the MAC)

I don't have nearly as much knowledge about them as the other schools. Their NET ranking last year would have put them in the middle of the MAC. They took Buffalo to OT in the WNIT, and if not for a very bad call that fouled out their best player, that outcome may have been different. The advantage they have this year is they lost by far the least of any MAC school - just a little over 20% of production. That is almost entirely due to the graduation of 6'0 G Stefanie Kulesza (10 ppg & 7 rpg). They had 5 transfers out, but none were significant contributors.

They have a lot coming back, including 3rd Team All-A10 6'1 Megan Olbrys (14 ppg & 8 rpg). A Villanova transfer to UMass, she will be the most productive returning player of any in the MAC next season. They also return 5'6 Fr starting PG Yahmani McKayle (14 ppg, 3 apg) who was voted A10 Rookie of the year. They have a 6'4 post, Chineye Odenigbo (5 ppg & 5rpg) and a few other experienced guards. They were stingy on D, giving up only 60 ppg, which would have led the MAC, but it's hard to compare directly when there were very few common opponents.

So far, they haven't been very active in the portal. They signed 2, both freshmen and minor contributors to their old teams: 5'9 G Ayanna Franks (Rhode Island, 3 ppg) and 6'1 F Leah Bullard (Oakland, 2 ppg). They also add 2 freshmen guards from New Jersey & Arizona, both of which had a couple offers from other good mid-majors. On paper, none of those are immediate game changers but will provide depth at least. They have room to still add a couple more if they chose, but could be stopping at just 12 players.

UMass has the most experienced coaching staff among MAC schools, with all their assistants having coached in college for at least 10 years. They recently added Dayna Smith to the team, who has 28 years of experience, including 22 years as head coach at Cornell, although while there, she compiled a less than stellar 224-345 record.

It's hard to predict how they may do in the MAC. Last year's record (17-15) was boosted by seven wins against sub-300 NET teams. (They also had a sub-300 loss.) They had no top 100 wins. Their best win was a blowout over NET 126 Duquesne, who was beaten equally badly by Kent. The A10 has been better than the MAC at the top, but the other 2/3rds are not really better overall from what I can tell. UMass has a big travel disadvantage, which may make MAC road games tougher for them compared to other MAC schools. My guess is for UMass to finish in the middle of the pack, but it's hard to say until we see them play a week-in, week-out MAC schedule.

[69MG]

He didn't mention Palmieri who was a big part of the team last year. He probably doesn't even know who Derkack is, and I'll give him a pass on this one. If she is healthy, I expect her to be a major contributor. She was a star in NJ high school BB.

[Steve81]

69MG, posted your comment and here is the reply.

Thanks Steve. These are just blurbs, so I had no intention of mentioning every player who may be a contributor. I know about Palmieri who averaged about 12 a game last year. And I know Derkack had a lot of good offers out of HS, but didn't have anything else to add about her given she redshirted. Good info that she may be a significant contributor this year.

[Steve81]

UMass Women's basketball post.

[kikoandjimmer]

Aside from the Old Dominion game already announced, first home game announced!

UMass Lowell will be coming to Amherst on November 18th

[mdogt12]

https://umassathletics.com/sports/women ... l/schedule
Full schedule