UMass women’s basketball gets a fresh start for the 2023-24 season with a brand new team. Only three players from last season are returning, so it’s a whole new ball game. After their previous head coach left, the team promoted their associate head coach, Mike Leflar, to take charge. Leflar and his staff have been working hard to build a team around the three returning players, Kristin Williams, Lilly Ferguson, and Stefanie Kulesza, to keep the Minutewomen’s success going.
The team has brought in four freshmen and six transfers, which means they’re almost a completely new squad. One of the transfers is sophomore forward Mikenzie Jones, who joined from the University of Denver. Jones has shown her skills off the bench, making plays with her post moves and smart positioning. Her best game last season was against South Dakota State, where she scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds.
The rest of the transfers are all upperclassmen, which brings some much-needed experience to the team after losing leaders Sam Breen and Destiney Philoxy to graduation. One of the transfers is graduate student Bre Bellamy, who played for the William & Mary Tribe. Bellamy has been a consistent performer throughout her college career, averaging 7.6 points and six rebounds per game in her senior season.
Senior guard Alexsia Rose is another transfer who brings her skills to UMass after winning an American Athletic Conference championship at East Carolina University. Rose is known for her anticipation on both ends of the court, making steals and making smart decisions with the ball.
Head coach Leflar’s first recruit was senior guard Jermany Mapp, who previously played at Hampton University. Mapp averaged 7.4 points and 3.4 rebounds per game last season. Another senior guard, Tori Hyduke, has experience playing in the Atlantic 10 conference. She played for George Washington before transferring to Drexel University. Hyduke’s scoring ability caught Leflar’s attention, and now she’s ready to make an impact at UMass.
Junior guard Allie Palmieri is a transfer from Seton Hall University. Before that, she played at Boston College and made an immediate impact as a freshman. Palmieri adds depth and versatility to the Minutewomen’s backcourt.
The team also has some promising freshmen. Dallas Pierce is a sharpshooter who impressed in an exhibition game, shooting 5-for-6 from the field. Chinenye Odenigbo, a 6-foot-5-inch center, brings size and shot-blocking ability to the team. Avery Childers is a versatile player who can score and rebound effectively. And Lilly Taulelei, all the way from New Zealand, adds strength and presence in the paint.
With a mostly new roster and a new coach, UMass may not have the same level of experience as before. But the team is focused on staying together and working towards their goals. It’s an exciting time for UMass women’s basketball, and fans can’t wait to see what this new team can achieve.