Some More ESPN Love for the Zips and Hanna Luburgh!!!

Hanna Luburgh, Akron: If you aren't watching Akron, and it's admittedly not the easiest thing to do, you're missing some of the more entertaining basketball being played in Division I. Few deserve a curtain call more than Luburgh, a senior guard for a team that is almost Oregon-like in its love of pushing tempo and piling up points. In three games this past week, the senior guard averaged 28.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists and shot 50 percent from the field. That run included 37 points against Dayton and 33 points against Tennessee Tech.

Luburgh actually scored more points a season ago than any Akron player had in any season up to that point. Unfortunately for her place in the record book (not to mention teams tasked with slowing down the Zips), she happened to score her 549 points during the same season that teammate Rachel Tecca scored 609 points.

While it was a tough week overall for Akron, which couldn't bounce back from a loss at Dayton well enough to avoid a defeat Sunday against Wright State, Luburgh more than held her own.

Senior Hanna Luburgh Earns MAC Player of the Weak Honors!!!

University of Akron shooting guard Hanna Luburgh has been selected as the Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week.

This is Luburgh's fourth MAC Player of the Week honor of her career, and the second consecutive week the award has gone to an Akron player.

Luburgh was nearly unstoppable offensively last week for the Zips, reaching a career milestone in the process. In Akron's three games, she averaged 28.7 points per contest, including two 30-point games, and shot 50.0 percent from the field en route to surpassing 1,000 points for her career

Senior Rachel Tecca Earns MAC East Player of the Year!

University of Akron forward Rachel Tecca has been named the Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week.

This is the first time this season and the seventh time in her career Tecca has earned the conference's weekly award.

As the reigning MAC Player of the Year, Tecca set the bar high once again in the first game of her senior season last week. In Akron's 98-69 win over Florida Atlantic, Tecca shot 63.2 percent from the field (12-of-19), setting a new career-high with 36 points in just 27 minutes of action.

#5 in ESPN Mid Major Poll!!!

5. Akron (Last season: 23-10, WNIT)

The MAC might be the most competitive mid-major conference in the country this season, and Akron gets the nod as its first representative on this list. The team suffered an unfortunate loss when Sina King, who averaged 15 points and 8.7 rebounds, was ruled out for the season because of blood clots. But the Zips still return their top two scorers in Rachel Tecca and Hanna Luburgh (one of the best 3-point shooters in the country last season), as well as point guard Kacie Cassell, who led the nation at 7.8 assists per game. The catch is that outside of a game at Dayton early in the season, there is little on the schedule to help the at-large NCAA profile. It's going to be automatic bid or bust.

Player to watch: Rachel Tecca. She had the most prolific offensive season in school history, averaging 18.5 points per game, and earned MAC player of the year honors as a result, beating out players like Crystal Bradford, Courtney Osborn and Naama Shafir. Not bad from a player who was coming off a season-ending knee injury the previous year.

Rachel Tecca Selected For Senior CLASS Award

University of Akron senior forward Rachel Tecca was identified as one of 30 candidates for the 2013-14 Senior CLASS Award.

To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence – community, classroom, character and competition. The 30 candidates will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, and the winner will be announced during the 2014 NCAA Women's Final Four®.

Zips Picked 1st In MAC East

After capturing its first division title a year ago, UA was projected to finish at the top of the East, receiving nine first place votes out of a possible 12. Additionally, seniors Hanna 
Luburgh and Rachel Tecca were named to the Preseason All-MAC East team.

The University of Akron women's basketball team was picked to repeat as Mid-American Conference East Division champions in the 2013-14 MAC Preseason Poll selected by the league's head coaches. 

"Rachel and Hanna have proven they are two of the top players in the MAC and they are very deserving of this preseason recognition," said head coach Jodi Kest. "For our team to be selected at the top of the East Division is a testament to how far we have come and what we were able to accomplish last year."

Hannah Scipio & Alex Ricketts Tour Exchange Dorm

Freshmen roommates Hannah Scipio and Alex Ricketts show off their Exchange street dorm! 

Zips Women's Basketball First Practice - Sept. 30

The University of Akron women's basketball team returned to the floor for its first official practice of the 2013-14 season Monday afternoon under the direction of eighth-year head coach Jodi Kest.

The team spent two and a half hours fine-tuning fundamentals and position work, cultivating what has become its signature uptempo style.

Kest, now the longest-tenured women's basketball head coach in the Mid-American Conference, returns 10 letterwinners and four starters from a team that went 23-10 overall and 12-4 in the conference a year ago, en route to capturing the school's first ever MAC East championship.

Highlighting an impressive senior class is Tallmadge, Ohio native Rachel Tecca who garnered MAC Player of the Year and Academic All-American accolades as a redshirt junior. Kacie Cassell led the country in assists per game last season, re-writing Akron's record book in the process, and Hanna Luburgh capped off a stellar junior season with All-MAC Tournament team honors, leading the Zips to their first ever appearance in the league title game.

Spicer Dorm Tour!

Hannah Plybon is one of the new faces on our Zip roster! Check out this video as she gives us a great tour of her freshmen dorm, Spicer Hall.

Women's Basketball Receives MAC East Championship Rings!!!

This past weekend our team was honored during the first home football game. We received a nice applause from the crowd as we were announced as the 2012-2013 MAC East Champions. We also surprised the team with their championship rings! Take a look at the bling! 

WBB Announces Schedule

Highlighted by a trip to California and contests with eight teams that saw postseason action last year! 

2013-14 University of Akron Women's Basketball Schedule

Sat., Nov. 2 – Lake Erie College

Fri., Nov. 8 – Florida Atlantic

Tues., Nov. 12 – Tennessee Tech

Fri., Nov. 15 – at Dayton

Sun., Nov. 17 – at Wright State

Fri., Nov. 22 – at Canisius

Fri., Nov. 29 – at Cal Poly 

Sat., Nov. 30 – vs. UC Davis

Sat., Dec. 7 – George Mason

Tues., Dec. 17 – at Cincinnati

Fri., Dec. 20 – Rochester College

Sun., Dec. 29 – Youngstown State

Sat., Jan. 4 – Ball State

Thurs., Jan. 9 – Central Michigan

Sun., Jan. 12 – at Bowling Green

Wed. Jan. 15 – at Miami (Ohio)

Sat., Jan. 18 – Kent State

Thurs., Jan. 23 – Ohio

Sun., Jan. 26 – at Eastern Michigan

Thurs., Jan. 30 – at Toledo

Sun. Feb. 2 – Buffalo

Wed., Feb. 5 – at Northern Illinois

Sat., Feb. 8 – Western Michigan

Sat., Feb. 15 – at Ball State

Wed., Feb. 19 – Northern Illinois

Sat., Feb. 22 – at Ohio

Wed., Feb. 26 – Miami (Ohio)

Sun., March 2 – at Kent State

Wed., March 5 – at Buffalo

Sat., March 8 – Bowling Green

March 10-15 – Mid-American Conference Tournament

Coach Kest Signs Contract Extension!!!

University of Akron women's basketball head coach Jodi Kest has agreed to a five-year contract extension that will keep her at the helm of the program through the 2017-18 season. 

"Coach Kest has worked tirelessly for the past seven years to change the women's basketball culture at Akron and establish a winning tradition," UA Director of Athletics Tom Wistrcill said. "Following the most successful season in school history, we are proud to make this commitment to Jodi as she continues to build the program into one of the best in the Mid-American Conference."

Now the longest tenured women's basketball head coach in the MAC, Kest is entering her eighth season with the Zips after guiding them to their second postseason berth in four years and a school record 23 victories in 2012-13. She has won more than 320 games in her 21 seasons as a collegiate head coach.

"I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to lead the Zips for five more years," Kest said. "I am also very appreciative of the commitment and the support from the university administration, in particular (President) Dr. Luis Proenza, Tom Wistrcill and (Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator) Mary Lu Gribschaw. This administration truly believes in what we have built and has faith in the future of our program. Akron is a great place to be, and the opportunity to work with our student-athletes and build on our success is one that I cherish every day."

Akron has established itself as one of the top teams in the MAC under Kest's leadership. Most recently in 2013, the Zips advanced to their first ever league title game and brought home the program's first East Division crown, marking the first time since 2005 a team other than Bowling Green had won the division. Last year's squad broke more than 10 school records, and finished the year with the seventh-highest scoring average in all of Division I at 75.4 points per game.

End of the Year Banquet!!!

We had a great celebration to honor a truly memorable year. Pictured above is the team with the MAC East Championship trophy! Here is a list of the award winners for the year!

Barbara Hlivko Award- Sina King

Most Outstanding Player- Rachel Tecca 

Offensive Player of the Year- Hanna Luburgh 

Most Improved- Megan Barilla 

Community Service Award- Taylor Ruper 

Academic Award- Rachel Tecca 

We also honored our two seniors Taylor Ruper and Katie Bubna as well as all the individual MAC Awards won by our players throughout the year!

Akron Zips Women's Basketball 2013 Banquet Video

Here is our highlight video from the 2012-2013 season! Enjoy! 

Kacie Cassell National Assist Leader

We are very pleased to recognize that junior point guard, Kacie Cassell, finished the year as the National Assist Leader! 

The University of Akron women's basketball team saw a program-record five student-athletes earn Academic All-Mid-American Conference recognition for the 2012-13 season. 

Sina King, Hanna Luburgh and Rachel Tecca were named to the Academic All-MAC team, while Taylor Ruper and Carly Young received Honorable Mention.

"To have five of our players recognized by the MAC for their efforts in the classroom speaks volumes about our team," said head coach Jodi Kest. "We had an incredible season on the court, but we always stress the importance of academic success and it is great to see our student-athletes being rewarded for their hard work."

The Academic All-MAC honor is for a student-athlete who has 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.

ZIPS Receive WNIT Bid!!!

The Zips received an at-large bid to the 64-team tournament after posting a program-best 23-9 overall record and a 12-4 mark in the Mid-American Conference. UA won nine out of its last 10 regular season games before going on a run in the league tournament and making its first ever appearance in a MAC title game, falling to Central Michigan 86-68.

BREAKING RECORDS!!!

This past year our team broke many records!!! Here are a few that really stood out!!!

23 Most Overall Wins 

12 Most Conference Wins 

9 Most Non-Conference Wins 

1st MAC Championship Appearance 

MAC East Champions 

MAC EAST CHAMPS!!!

Akron has claimed its first ever MAC East Division title. This is this first time since 2004-05 that a team other than Bowling Green has won the East.

3 Players Earn All-MAC

Akron's junior trio of Rachel Tecca, Sina King and Hanna Luburgh were named to the Mid-American Conference all-conference teams for their performance during the 2012-13 season!

Tecca earned All-MAC first team honors for the second time in her career, while King and Luburgh were named to the third team. This is the first time in program history Akron has placed three student-athletes on all-conference teams.

"Rachel, Hanna and Sina have worked extremely hard for us all year, and this honor is a testament to their effort," said head coach Jodi Kest. "All three have established themselves as leaders for our team and it has been great to see them develop into three of the top players in the conference."

Rachel Tecca Wins MAC Player of Year

University of Akron redshirt junior forward Rachel Tecca has been named the 2012-13 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year!

Tecca is the first MAC Player of the Year in Akron women's basketball history, highlighting a record-breaking season for the Zips. The award was voted on by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and members of the media.

"Rachel is a very special player and this award is indicative of the hard work and dedication that got her to this point," said head coach Jodi Kest. "This honor is extremely well-deserved, and I am very proud of everything she has accomplished this season in pushing herself and our program to the next level."

Akron WBB's First Academic All-American

University of Akron forward Rachel Tecca has been named to the Capital One Academic All-America® Second Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Tecca is the first student-athlete in Akron women's basketball history to earn Academic All-American status. She is also the only player in the Mid-American Conference to earn the distinction this year. Previously in 2011, Tecca was part of the Capital One Academic All-District IV Third Team.

"Rachel has done an outstanding job in the classroom and on the basketball court, not just this year but every year since she has put on an Akron uniform," said UA head coach Jodi Kest. "She is a great example of a true student-athlete, and I am very proud to see her receive this honor and represent our program."

Tecca carried a 3.89 GPA through her undergraduate career, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in marketing management prior to the Zips' game against Cincinnati on Dec. 15, 2012. She began working toward her MBA in January of this year.

On the court, the Tallmadge, Ohio native has led the Mid-American Conference in scoring all season with 18.8 points per game, and ranks 15th in the nation in field goal percentage. She has scored in double figures in all 25 games this year, including 13 performances of 20 or more points and six double-doubles, while only averaging 24.8 minutes per contest.

Another MAC East Player of the Week for Rachel Tecca!!!

University of Akron forward Rachel Tecca has been named the Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week. 

This is the second consecutive week and the third time this season Tecca has earned the conference's weekly award.

The redshirt junior played up to the standards of the title last week as she led the Zips to a 64-52 victory over Ball State to extend Akron's winning streak to five games, its longest of the season.

Against the Cardinals, Tecca posted a game-high 22 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the field, along with a 10-for-11 showing from the free throw line. She also grabbed eight rebounds and tallied a block and a steal.

Tecca has now scored in double figures in all 24 of Akron's games this season, and ranks 15th in the nation in field goal percentage as the MAC's leading scorer.

National News!!!

The Akron Women's Basketball Team is making some National News!!! Here are the latest rankings...

AKRON OFFENSE:     11TH (76.2 PPG)

KACIE CASSELL:        1ST in Assists

RACHEL TECCA:        11TH Field Goal Percentage

HANNA LUBURGH:   19TH 3pt Field Goal Percentage

SINA KING:                  36TH Free Throw Percentage

PINK GAME!!! Akron's Play4Kay Game

The Akron Zips beat Buffalo 75-57 on Saturday, February 2nd. That game was designated as UA's Play 4Kay game. The Zips wore pink jerseys, and pink t-shirts were sold for $10 with all proceeds going towards the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

Rachel Tecca wins her 2nd MAC East Player of Week

Akron forward Rachel Tecca has been named Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week

This is the second time this season and the fourth time in her career Tecca has received the MAC's weekly award.

Tecca was an offensive powerhouse last week, shooting 62.1 percent from the field and averaging 24.5 points per game while leading Akron to two big wins and the top of the East Division standings.

#14 Earns Her 2nd MAC East Player of Week

University of Akron shooting guard Hanna Luburgh has been selected as the Mid-American Conference East Division Player of the Week.

This is the second time this season Luburgh has been honored with the MAC's weekly award.

Luburgh assumed the lead role in Akron's all-star cast last week as she averaged a double-double of 20 points and 11 rebounds in two crucial East Division victories over a three-day span.