The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Hit the Hardwood For First Practice Friday Night
October 13 | Women's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio- The 2006-07 Akron women's basketball season officially gets underway on Friday night as the Zips will hold their first official practice of the season from 7-9 p.m. at Rhodes Arena.
Leading the team on the court will be first-year head coach Jodi Kest. Kest was named head coach of the Akron squad in May after four successful seasons at the helm of the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi program. Kest is joined by assistant coaches Bob Boldon, James Brunelli, Ebony Pegues and Gail Gagne.
The Zips are coming off a disappointing 5-23 season in 2005-06 but return three starters from that team, led by senior forward Jessie Crooks (Independence, Ohio/Independence). A third-team All-MAC selection a year ago, Crooks led the Zips with a 14.1 ppg scoring average, including a squad-best 45 three point baskets. Joining Crooks on the roster is sophomore Niki McCoy (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview). A MAC All-Freshman team selection, McCoy started 26 of 27 games played and led the team in rebounding (5.9 rpg) and assists. (2.9 apg). She also recorded a team-best three double doubles.
Senior Mandy Holzer (Jordan, Minn./Jordan) started 17 of 26 games and is complemented by veteran junior Jessica Deville (Leetonia, Ohio/Leetonia), who has 27 career starts.
Kest and her staff welcome a group of five newcomers, three of which hail from the state of Ohio. Sarah Tokodi (Marietta, Ohio/Parkersburg Catholic) was an all-state performer at Parkersburgh Catholic HS, while forward Riana Miller (Sylvania, Ohio/Northview) reunites with former high school teammate McCoy. Teresa Scott (Columbus, Ohio/Eastmoor Academy) was a second-team All-Ohio selection at Eastmoor Academy.
Rounding out the group is a pair of freshmen from Michigan in guard Danyelle Harris (Detroit, Mich./Oak Park) and Lindsey West (Royal Oak, Mich,/Kimball).
The Zips open the 2006-07 season on Nov. 10 as they travel to
Saint Louis University to take on the Billikens. Akron's home
opener is on Nov. 22 at 7 p.m. against Valparaiso.
