Akron Inks 4 in Early Signing Period!!!

The University of Akron women's basketball program and head coach Jodi Kest have announced the signings of four student-athletes to the 2012-13 recruiting class.

"I am really excited to welcome DiAndra, Katie, DeAnna and Jasmine to our Akron family," said Coach Kest. "These four talented student-athletes bring great size and versatility to our program. They will be great additions, and we are very happy that they have chosen to be Zips!"

The Zips signees include:


5'11" Guard DiAndra Gibson Ravenna H.S. (Ohio)

6'0" Forward Katie Nunan Fairmont H.S. (West Virginia)

6'0" Forward/Center Jasmine Wood Lansing Waverly H.S. (Michigan)

6'2" Center DeAnna Thompson Vincennes Junior College (Indiana)

We recently hosted 3 out of the 4 signees this past weekend. Here is a pic of our future zips with Coach Kest!

Rachel Tecca Earns MAC East Player of the Week!!!

Akron junior forward Rachel Tecca earned Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week honors, as announced by the league office on Monday. Tecca, a native of Tallmadge, Ohio, helped the Zips (5-3) to wins over Cleveland State and Saint Peter's last week.

In her best performances of the season, Tecca averaged 25.5 points per game and 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting 71.4 percent in UA's two wins. She recorded her second double-double of the season with 26 points and 10 rebounds at Cleveland State, including 8-of-9 from the free throw line. She followed that up with 25 points and eight boards in a decisive home victory over Saint Peter's on 11-of-14 field goals. For the season, Tecca boasts 17.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg and a 55.9 field goal percentage.

Keeping Up With Women's Basketball - Episode 1

Take a look at the first episode of "Keeping Up with Akron Women's Basketball". Hanna and Carly give us an inside look at our trip to Seattle over Thanksgiving!

Taylor garners MAC Player of the Week Honors!!!

Taylor Ruper was named Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week on Monday for her standout performance at the Seattle University Thanksgiving Tournament. Ruper, a junior guard from North Royalton, Ohio, earned Most Valuable Player honors after helping the Akron women's basketball team go 2-0 and win the tournament title. This is the first conference weekly award for UA this season and the first of Ruper's career.

In Seattle, Ruper totaled 35 points almost completely on 3-pointers, going an impressive 11-for-17 (.647) from behind the arc. She finished 11-of-20 (.550) from the field and added three assists, six rebounds, two blocks and a pair of steals over both games. After scoring a team-high 20 points and drilling six triples against Loyola-Chicago, Ruper came back the next night and sank five from long distance for a 15-point performance against host team Seattle.

Thanksgiving Tournament CHAMPS!!!

With an 85-74 victory over Seattle, The University of Akron women's basketball team won the Seattle University Thanksgiving Tournament title on Saturday night. Junior guard Taylor Ruper earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors, while classmate Rachel Tecca made the All-Tournament squad.

We had a great time out in Seattle. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at the Space Needle restaurant. The views from the Space Needle were incredible. We also enjoyed some time at Pike Fish Market and some of the other local shopping areas.

Overall we could not have asked for a better trip to the Northwest! GO ZIPS!

Zips Hold Annual Halloween Bash!

Last friday night we held our annual Halloween party at Coach Kest's house. It was another great team event as we all dressed up in costume. We had a great dinner and played some games as a team. It is always a fun time when this group gets together! They have great team chemistry and are alot of fun to be around! They also are very creative in their costumes. Above is a pic of the entire team dressed up as well as the coaching staff! What is your favorite?

Akron Picked 3rd in MAC East

The University of Akron women's basketball team was tabbed third in the East division, as announced in the 2011-12 preseason poll by the Mid-American Conference on Tuesday. In addition, junior forward Rachel Tecca was selected to the Preseason All-MAC Team.

"I'm happy for Rachel, because she deserves this honor," said sixth-year head coach Jodi Kest. "She had a great season last year and will be an even better player this year."

The Zips return 10 letterwinners from last year's squad that finished 14-16 overall and 6-10 in the conference, making it to the MAC Tournament quarterfinals. Tecca, an All-MAC First Team honoree after a tremendous sophomore campaign, joins senior Jasmine Mushington (Co-Sixth Player of the Year) and sophomore Carly Young (All-MAC Freshman team) as returning players who earned league postseason honors last year.