I think that was Emily Ryan's aunt. I still thinking something more is going on.
From what I've heard second hand there are a few things:
A) Bill was more cruel than usual this year. It sounds like the line from "tough coaching" to being just downright mean was crossed. It would appear to me the pressure of expectations got to him a bit.
B) I think Ashley coming back, and the resulting offensive impact, impacted some of the girls. I think they expected larger roles and it was the same-ol', same-ol' this year.
C) I had heard that the way Bill treated Soares rubbed some girls the wrong way. I think they all loved Soares, but Bill constantly gushing about someone who had been there less than a year and often being very dismissive of some of the girls who'd been in the program multiple years caused some issues in the locker room. Consistent with the theory that's been there for years that Bill definitely has favorites and doesn't hide that.