LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Women’s Basketball Head Coach Brianna Finch has completed her staff ahead of her first season leading the River Hawks, announcing the additions of Sherill Baker, Didier Dinh, Meagan Morelli and Sydney Avoletta.

Baker, Dinh and Morelli will serve as assistant coaches, while Avoletta joins the program as the Director of Basketball Operations.

“This group brings the right mix of experience, energy, relationship-building and player development to our program,” said Finch. “Each of them understands what we are trying to build here at UMass Lowell, and I am excited for our student-athletes to be surrounded by people who care deeply about their growth on and off the court.”

SHERILL BAKER - ASSISTANT COACH

Baker joins the River Hawks after spending the 2025-26 season at George Washington, marking her second stint with the Revolutionaries. She previously served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at GW during the 2022-23 campaign before spending two seasons at Bucknell as the Associate Head Coach and Recruiting Coordinator from 2023-25. Baker worked alongside Finch on the George Washington staff during the 2025-26 season, helping support the Revolutionaries’ recruiting, player development and day-to-day coaching efforts.

While at Bucknell, Baker helped coach multiple all-conference selections, including the 2025 Patriot League Player of the Year, along with two all-conference honorees and two all-rookie team members. During her first stint at George Washington, she helped Nya Robertson earn Atlantic 10 Sixth Woman of the Year honors while assisting with team defense, scouting reports and player development.

Before her time at George Washington and Bucknell, Baker spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Georgia State and four seasons at Kennesaw State. She began her collegiate coaching career at Auburn, where she served as the program’s video coordinator and director of basketball services before being elevated to assistant coach.

A decorated player at the University of Georgia, Baker was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and earned First Team All-SEC honors before being selected 12th overall by the New York Liberty in the 2006 WNBA Draft. She went on to play four seasons in the WNBA, along with multiple professional seasons overseas.

“Coach Baker’s ability to connect with players and build meaningful relationships is what makes her a great fit for UMass Lowell, and I’m incredibly excited to have her join our staff,” said Finch. “She brings invaluable experience as a player and coach at the highest levels of the game, along with a true understanding of what it takes to recruit and develop championship-level student-athletes, both on and off the court.”

“It is truly an honor to work alongside Coach Brianna Finch,” said Baker. “She exemplifies integrity, compassion and loyalty, and consistently sets the standard for those around her. I’ve been fortunate to build a strong professional relationship this past season, and I’m excited for the opportunity to continue here at Lowell. I look forward to engaging with our community, contributing as a dedicated staff member, and helping our players grow both in character and in their elite on-court development. Basketball has given so much to me throughout my life, and I’m passionate about giving back to the game by mentoring and positively impacting the next generation of student-athletes.”

DIDIER DINH - ASSISTANT COACH

Dinh comes to Lowell following two seasons at Merrimack, where he served as an assistant coach, recruiting coordinator and director of basketball operations during his time with the Warriors. In those roles, he contributed to the program’s recruiting efforts, player development, scouting, operations and day-to-day coaching responsibilities.

Before Merrimack, Dinh served as the head women’s basketball coach at Eastern Nazarene College from 2021-24. During his tenure, he led the Lions to a New England Collegiate Conference Tournament Finals appearance and posted a 36-36 overall record. In his first season, Dinh guided ENC to a regular-season championship and was named NECC Coach of the Year.

Prior to his head coaching role, Dinh spent nine seasons as an assistant coach in men’s basketball, including stops at Gordon College, Norwich University and Wheelock College. Throughout those roles, he helped recruit and develop multiple all-conference selections, 1,000-point scorers, a conference player of the year and a NABC All-American.

Dinh earned his bachelor’s degree in Sport Movement Science with a concentration in Fitness & Wellness from Salem State University in 2012 and later completed his master’s degree in Leadership from Norwich University in 2017.

“Coach D has established a reputation for elite player development, strong relationship-building and relentless recruiting efforts, which makes him an outstanding addition to our program,” said Finch. “He has a great basketball mind, specifically in analytics, along with a passion for helping student-athletes grow both on and off the court.”

“I’m really excited to join Coach Finch and the UMass Lowell women’s basketball program,” said Dinh. “There is a clear vision for building a tough, connected and competitive team, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of it. UMass Lowell is a place with a lot to offer academically, athletically and as part of the greater Boston area. I’m looking forward to working with our student-athletes every day and helping this program continue to grow in the America East.”

MEAGAN MORELLI - ASSISTANT COACH

Morelli joins the River Hawks after three seasons as an assistant women’s basketball coach at the University of Bridgeport, where she worked with Head Coach James Howard and the Purple Knights program.

During Morelli’s third season on staff, Bridgeport finished 10-16 overall and 8-12 in CACC play, earning the program’s highest single-season win total since 2018-19. The Purple Knights closed the year with a CACC postseason appearance, advancing to the conference quarterfinals.

Before beginning her coaching career, Morelli was a four-year member of the Fairfield women’s basketball program, where she was a three-time MAAC All-Academic Team selection.

“From our first conversation, Meagan’s energy and enthusiasm were infectious, and I could not be more excited to have her join our staff,” said Finch. “Her passion for student-athlete development, both on and off the court, along with her ability to connect with people, makes her a great fit for our program.”

“I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to join UMass Lowell,” said Morelli. “I’m passionate about building meaningful and intentional relationships with our student-athletes, and I am excited to invest in our players every day, helping them grow, compete and find confidence in who they are as players and people.”

SYDNEY AVOLETTA - DIRECTOR OF BASKETBALL OPERATIONS

Avoletta comes to UMass Lowell after spending two seasons with the George Washington women’s basketball program, where she served as a graduate assistant. During the 2025-26 season, she worked alongside Finch on the Revolutionaries’ staff, supporting the program in a behind-the-scenes role focused on organization, operations and student-athlete support.

A 2024 graduate of North Carolina Central, Avoletta played four collegiate seasons between Iona and NC Central. She spent her first two seasons at Iona, appearing in eight games and earning MAAC All-Academic Team honors as a sophomore.

After transferring to NC Central, Avoletta appeared in 50 games for the Eagles across her final two collegiate seasons, averaging 2.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. She graduated from NC Central with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree before earning her master’s degree in sport management from George Washington University in 2026.

“While at George Washington University this past season, I watched Sydney work tirelessly and selflessly in her role, while demonstrating organizational leadership, attention to detail and a commitment to supporting our student-athletes,” said Finch. “As our Director of Basketball Operations, she will be vital to everything we do behind the scenes, and I am excited to watch her continue to grow and flourish in this profession.”

“I’m incredibly grateful and excited for the opportunity to join UMass Lowell Women’s Basketball,” said Avoletta. “I want to thank Coach Bri for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m looking forward to learning from her and contributing to the growth and success of the team.”