WBB welcomes 3 new additions!!!

Two guards and a center have signed National Letters of Intent and will join The University of Akron women's basketball team this fall, head coach Jodi Kest announced Thursday.


Northeast Ohio high school products Anita Brown and Megan Barilla, and Akron native Cari Guyton are set to become the newest members of the UA program.

"These three young ladies will be excellent additions to our basketball team," Kest remarked. "They will contribute to our team tremendously as we continue to build a championship program."

Brown (Warren, Ohio/Warren Harding), a 5-9 guard, averaged 27 points and 13 rebounds per game last season on her way to an OHSAA Division I Third-Team All-Ohio selection. She is the only player in Harding history to score over 1,000 points and grab over 1,000 rebounds. Brown also holds the school record for points in a game (45). In addition to her all-state honors, Brown was named first-team all-district and was the Most Valuable Player of the North-South All-Star Game.

"Anita is a great addition to our program," Kest said. "She has the ability to put up big numbers on the offensive end, but is also a good defender. She will bring added athleticism and a competitive spirit to our team."

Barilla (Fairview Park, Ohio/Magnificat) was a four-year varsity letter winner and a three-time captain at Magnificat High School. A 5-10 guard, Barilla averaged 10.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 3.7 steals as a senior and led the Blue Streaks to a 70-23 record during her four seasons. She was also named to the Adidas Hoosier Hardwood Championship All-Tournament Team.

Megan is a winner both on and off the court," Kest said. "She comes from a great high school program in Magnificat, which is rich in girl's basketball tradition. Megan will provide us with depth at the guard position."

Guyton (Akron, Ohio/Pratt JC (Kan.)) will be returning home after playing the last two seasons at Pratt Junior College in Kansas. The 6-2 center averaged 12 points and 8.6 boards per game last season and led the Jayhawk Conference in rebounding. Guyton also ranked second in the conference in field goal percentage at 54-percent. Guyton prepped at Firestone High School and led the Falcons to a 20-2 record in her senior year.

"Cari is a true center. She has great hands and the ability to finish around the basket," Kest commented "She is a big body who takes up a lot of space in the paint, and she rebounds the basketball very well. We are excited to welcome Cari back home to Akron."

                        Cari Guyton

                    Anita Brown

                Megan Barilla

WBB End of the Year Banquet

We had another great end of the year banquet. The banquet is always a special time to honor our players and support staff. We are pleased to annouce the award winners!

MVP- Sina King

Most Improved- Carly Young

Coaches Award- Kacie Cassell

Academic Award- Rachel Tecca

Community Service Award- Hanna Luburgh

It was also a great night as we honored Coach Kest for her 300th win which took place this past year. And Taylor Ruper for breaking the school record for most made 3pointers!

                                         Coach Kest with Sophmore MVP Sina King

Akron Womens Basketball JOCK JAMS!!!

Check out our third place finish in this years Jock Jams!

Two Zips Earn All MAC Academic Team!!!

We are very pleased to annouce that Junior Taylor Ruper and sophomore Sina King were both named Academic All-MAC for the first time in their careers. It is the first time in program history that two Zips have garnered the honor in the same season.

The Academic All-MAC honor is for student-athletes who have excelled in athletics and academics. To qualify, a student-athlete must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50 percent of the contests for that particular sport. First-year students and junior college transfers in their first year of residence are not eligible for the award.

Ruper has a 3.77 grade point average in her corporate financial management program and had one of the best 3-point shooting seasons in Akron and MAC history in 2011-12. The junior from North Royalton, Ohio knocked down 89 3-pointers, which is the second highest total in UA history and the fourth best mark in MAC history. Ruper averaged 10.2 points per game and was the only Zip to start in all 32 contests. She shot an impressive 89-of-232 (.384) from three – good enough for 21st in the nation. Her 2.8 3-pointers per game ranked 15th nationally. Ruper was named Honorable Mention All-MAC, MAC East Player of the Week on Nov. 28, and MAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Week on March 8.

King holds a grade point average of 3.73 and is working towards a degree in speech – language pathology & audiology. King appeared in 30 games this season, with 24 starts. She averaged 12.4 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, recording a team-high five double-doubles. In conference games, King averaged 13.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest. She shot on impressive 47.8-percent from the field and recorded career-highs of 22 points (at Toledo, Feb. 1) and 16 rebounds (at Ohio, Jan. 14). King accomplished all of this despite playing out of position at center this season after Rachel Tecca was lost for the year with an injury. The sophomore was named Second-Team All-MAC and was the MAC East Player of the Week on Feb. 6.