If you only looked at the win-loss column for UMass Lowell women's basketball over the last couple of years, you'd probably think the program was just another bottom-feeder in the America East. You'd see a 3-25 record from the 2024-25 season and maybe keep scrolling. But honestly? That’s where you’d be making a huge mistake.
There is a massive shift happening right now at the Costello Athletic Center. It’s not just a "rebuilding year"—it’s a total identity transplant.
The River Hawks entered the 2025-26 season with a brand-new face at the helm: Jon Plefka. Taking over for Denise King in April 2025, Plefka didn't just inherit a roster; he inherited a program that had essentially hit rock bottom offensively. We’re talking about a team that averaged 47.3 points per game a year ago. That’s not just low; it was nearly the worst in the entire country.
The Jon Plefka Era Begins
When Plefka arrived from Stony Brook, he didn't bring a magic wand. He brought a notebook and a very specific type of intensity. Most people don't realize that Plefka has a background that bridges two worlds. He was a Big 12 basketball player at Texas Tech, but he also spent years in professional baseball. That dual-sport perspective shows up in the way he handles the "River Hawk" grind.
He’s not interested in moral victories.
By the time January 2026 rolled around, the results were already looking different. Even in losses, the pulse of this team has changed. Take the recent game against NJIT on January 15, 2026. Yeah, they lost 68-57, but they led at halftime. They were aggressive. They actually looked like they belonged on the floor with the upper echelon of the America East.
Roster Surgery: Who’s Actually Moving the Needle?
The 2025-26 roster is a weird, beautiful mix of "leftovers" and high-impact transfers. It’s a group that shouldn't work on paper, yet somehow does.
Jaini Edmonds is the heartbeat of this offense. A senior guard from Worcester, she’s been the one consistent scoring threat. Against NJIT, she was burying triples early to keep them in it. She’s currently leading the team in scoring, often hovering around that 12.8 points per game mark. She plays with a chip on her shoulder that seems to represent the whole city of Lowell.
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Then you’ve got the international flavor. Sabrina Larsson, a senior from Sweden, has been a revelation. She isn't just a shooter; she’s a floor spacer who understands the geometry of the game in a way that’s hard to teach.
And don't overlook the youth.
- Tyanna Medina: A freshman from Lawrence who didn't get the memo that she was supposed to wait her turn. She’s already playing heavy minutes and scoring in double figures.
- Klimentina Modeva: A 6-foot-8 sophomore from North Macedonia. You can't coach height, and her presence in the paint has turned the River Hawks from a layup line into a defensive headache for opponents.
- Maddie Rice: A junior who basically lives on the glass. She’s the glue.
Why the America East Should Be Worried
The narrative around UMass Lowell women's basketball used to be: "Secure the win and get home." Nobody is saying that anymore.
The defense has tightened up significantly. Last season, their defensive rating was a mess. This year? They are making teams work for every single bucket. They are currently 6-12 overall (as of mid-January 2026), which might not sound like much, but they’ve already doubled their win total from the entire previous season. That is exponential growth in a very short window.
The America East is a brutal conference. You have Maine and Albany constantly duking it out at the top. Vermont is always a problem. For a long time, Lowell was the team everyone looked past.
But look at the schedule. They recently pushed Maine—the defending powerhouse—to the brink on New Year’s Day. They aren't just participating; they are competing.
The Reality of the "Kennedy" Factor
There’s something about playing at the Kennedy Family Athletic Complex. It’s small. It’s loud. It’s "Lowell." The program has leaned into that identity. They aren't trying to be UConn. They are trying to be the toughest, grittiest team in New England.
Coach Plefka has talked about "ending runs quicker." It’s his biggest gripe. The River Hawks have a tendency to let a four-point deficit turn into a twelve-point hole during the third quarter. We saw it against NJIT. We saw it against Bryant.
If they can fix that "third-quarter ghost," they aren't just a playoff team—they’re a spoiler.
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What to Watch For Next
If you're following UMass Lowell women's basketball, the next few weeks are critical. The America East playoffs start March 5, 2026. To get there and actually make noise, the River Hawks need to find a secondary scoring option behind Edmonds.
Is it going to be Paris Gilmore? Or maybe more production from the post with Anabel LaTorre Ciria?
The schedule doesn't get easier. They have a looming road trip to Orono to face Maine on January 31, followed by a home stretch in February against NJIT and Albany. These aren't just games; they are benchmarks.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you want to actually understand where this program is going, stop looking at the final score for a second. Watch these three things:
- The Turnover Margin: Last year, they gave the ball away like it was a gift. This season, the backcourt of Edmonds and Rice has been much more disciplined. If they stay under 15 turnovers, they usually win.
- Paint Touches: Watch how often they look for Modeva. When they use her 6-8 frame to collapse the defense, it opens up everything for Larsson on the wing.
- The Third Quarter Score: This is their "make or break" period. If they can come out of the locker room with the same intensity they start the game with, they will beat teams they "aren't supposed" to beat.
UMass Lowell women's basketball is no longer a footnote. It’s a program in the middle of a gritty, loud, and very real resurgence. Keep your eyes on them—they’re about to ruin someone’s season in the conference tournament.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the official America East standings and watch for Tyanna Medina's shooting percentages as the season winds down; her development is the clearest indicator of the program's long-term ceiling. Check the box scores specifically for "points off turnovers," as that’s the metric Jon Plefka is using to measure his team's defensive aggression.