January 6, 2026

This semester, eight students in Professor Steve Fox’s Sports Journalism class (JOUR 332) collaborated with MassLive and the UMass women’s basketball team and to write and publish feature stories highlighting the Minutewomen. Students pitched their own stories, interviewed coaches and players from the team, wrote up the stories and got them published on MassLive.

You can read the profile series in its entirety on MassLive. This semester’s published stories are: 

From assistant to head coach: Mike Leflar’s journey shapes UMass women’s basketball program by Dylan Shalom

Queens to UMass: How Yahmani McKayle found rhythm beyond NYC by Trang Nguyen

UMass assistant Yolanda Cole brings calm presence to women’s basketball by Jonathan Charlier

UMass’ Lilly Ferguson is an unsung hero who thrives on effort plays by Myles Donato

Transfer portal success: How Allie Palmieri revived her career at UMass by Andrew Samaha

UMass basketball player Megan Olbrys leads with positivity on and off court by Eryka Ingram

UMass’ Taylor Derkack finds new mentality after second ACL tear by Elizabeth Lombardo

Jess Ross and Megan Olbrys: From AAU teammates to UMass best friends by Cameron Pellegrino