Michael Voepel Oct 22, 2026, 03:55 PM ET

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Michael Voepel is a senior writer who covers the WNBA, women's college basketball and other college sports. Voepel began covering women's basketball in 1984, and has been with ESPN since 1996.

With her teammates huddled around her, Gabby Williams leaned in, seemingly looking at every one of them as she gestured and pointed emphatically. Williams' Golden State Valkyries had just lost for the second straight game, falling behind the Atlanta Dream 2-1 in the WNBA Finals.

Williams sent a message to her teammates. Now it's time for the Valkyries to try to send one to the Dream as they attempt to rally in the best-of-seven series, which continues Saturday (1 p.m. ET) in Game 4 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

If they can, the Valkyries will be channeling a large amount of UConn Huskies influence.

Williams is one of four Valkyries -- along with Tiffany Hayes , Kiah Stokes and Kaitlyn Chen -- who won national championships at UConn.…