The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Toledo
Akron Plays Toledo in Quarterfinal Round of MAC WBB Championship
March 08 | Women's Basketball
Follow Akron Women's Basketball on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Follow Coach Kest on Twitter
Purchase Women's Basketball Individual Game Tickets Click Here
GAME NOTES NO. 31 AKRON VS. TOLEDO (3/9) (PDF) | MAC CHAMPIONSHIP BRACKET (PDF)
Akron (18-12) vs. Toledo (17-12)
Wednesday, March 9
Quicken Loans Arena (20,562)
Cleveland, Ohio • 2:30 p.m.
Live Stats: www.gozips.com
Webstream: www.gozips.com
Radio: SportsRadio 1350 AM (WARF) in Akron (flagship), for free at SportsRadio1350.com and on iHeartRadio. Bill Morgan will have the call starting with the pregame show starting at 2:20 p.m.
Television: www.mac-sports.com
What's Ahead
Akron continues its quest to capture its second-ever NCAA Tournament berth when the Zips move forward in Mid-American Conference Tournament play battling Toledo in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday, March 9. Game time inside Quicken Loans Arena is set for approximately 2:30 p.m.
Mid-American Conference Tournament History
Akron will be playing in its 30th all-time Mid-American Conference Tournament game when the Zips battle Toledo on Wednesday, March 9, at Quicken Loans Arena. Akron holds an 10-19 tournament record since 1995, including victories in six of its last eight tournament tilts. The Zips are 9-8 under head coach Jodi Kest and own 3-10, 4-6, 2-2 and 1-1 records, respectively, in the tournament's opening round, quarterfinals, semifinals and the championship game.
Akron holds a 1-4 all-time record in tournament action versus the Rockets with the Zips edging Toledo in the last meeting, 83-69, in the quarterfinal round on March 13, 2014.
Akron is playing as the No. 5 seed for the first time in program history. A No. 5 seed has never won the MAC Tournament title, with fifth-seeded Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan advancing to the title game in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
Akron Mid-American Conference Tournament Notes
• Eleven current Zips have garnered playing time in the Mid-American Conference Tournament led by senior Anita Brown (Warren, Ohio), who will be playing in her ninth tournament contest, versus Toledo.
• Anita Brown averages a team-best 11.3 points per game in tournament play, while junior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio), sophomore Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) and senior DiAndra Gibson (Ravenna, Ohio) are registering 5.2, 5.0 and 3.5 tallies, respectively.
• DiAndra Gibson is pulling down a team-high 6.2 rebounds in six career tournament tilts.
• The Zips battled a MAC East Division opponent in the tournament for the first time since besting Buffalo in the quarterfinal round, 83-79, on March 14, 2013, when the squad played Miami on Monday, March 7. Seven of Akron's last 10 tournament foes have hailed from the MAC West Division, including six of the last seven games.
• The Zips have reached the tournament quarterfinal round in six of the last seven seasons.
Senior Class Atop Zips' All-Time Win List
Akron seniors Megan Barilla, Anita Brown and DiAndra Gibson move up the ladder on the Zips' list of all-time winningest classes in program history is now complete following Akron's 71-61 victory over Bowling Green on March 5. The Zips' win past the Falcons gave the trio their 85th career triumph to vault them over the 2014-15 senior class of Sina King, who held the all-time mark of 84 wins (2011-15). The trio now owns 86 career victories at Akron.
A Look at Toledo
Toledo (17-12) enters play this Wednesday, March 9, having won three of its last five games, despite dropping a 68-58 home decision versus Ball State last Saturday, March 5. Senior Brenae Harris, junior Janice Monakana and sophomore Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott are averaging 14.5, 11.1 and 11.0 points per game. Monakana is pulling down a team-best 5.8 rebounds per tilt. Toledo is posting 66.7 points per contest, while seeing its opponents turn in a 66.7 scoring average. The Rockets are connecting on nearly 42 percent (.418) of their shots from the field, while dialing long distance at a 34.7-percent clip.
Toledo is leading the Mid-American Conference this season in three-point shooting (.347), while rating third in field goal percentage (.418). In league-only affairs, the Rockets ranked second in field goal percentage (.430) and third in three point percentage (.342).
Series History
Akron will be meeting Toledo for the 51st time in program history with the Rockets leading the all-time series, 39-12. Earlier this season, the Zips registered a 81-71 home triumph past Toledo on Jan. 20, 2016.
The Coaches
Toledo: Tricia Cullop is in her eighth season leading the Toledo program, owning a 177-86 (.673) record. Overall, she maintains a 300-196 (.605) ledger in 16 years overall as a head coach.
Akron: In her 10th year on the Akron sidelines as head coach, is Jodi Kest, who has a 160-151 mark (.514), including 386-304 (.559) overall, in her 24th year as a head coach.
Zips Down Miami, 66-54
In the opening round of the Mid-American Conference Tournament, Akron parlayed a 20-0 run to erase a nine-point, third-quarter deficit en route to defeating Miami University by a final score of 66-54 on Monday, March 7, at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Anita Brown paced the Zips on the offensive end, scoring 29 points, collecting five rebounds and swiping five steals.
DiAndra Gibson tied her career high on the boards, pulling down a game-high 16 rebounds, while fellow Megan Barilla stuffed the stat sheet, scoring eight points, collecting five rebounds and dishing out game-best six assists.
Leah Purvis led the RedHawks with 18 points and dished out four assists, with all 18 coming in the first half. Kayla Brown scored 12 points and chipped in seven rebounds, while teammate Molly McDonagh led Miami with nine-rebound, six-point performance.
For the game, the Zips shot 34.4 percent (22-of-64) from the field and buried 36.8 percent (7-of-19) of their shots from downtown. Akron used 65.2 percent (15-of-23) shooting from the free throw line to ice the victory. The RedHawks connected on 32.2 percent (19-of-59) of their shots and hit at a 36.4 percent (8-of-22) clip from behind the arc. Miami converted on 57.1 percent (8-of-14) of their shots from the charity stripe.
The Zips scored 17 points off of 17 RedHawks' turnovers and won the battle of the boards by an ultimate tally of 48-41, with 18 of those rebounds being on the offensive end.
Akron Downs Bowling Green on Senior Day, 71-61
Akron cruised to a 71-61 Senior Day victory over visiting Bowling Green last Saturday, March 5, at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Anita Brown led all players with a game-high 23 points after a 9-of-17 showing from the field.
Brown also pulled down a team-high six rebounds, while adding three assists to the Zips' cause. Hannah Plybon went 5-for-8 from three-point range for 18 points, while DiAndra Gibson contributed 12 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals to stuff the stat sheet.
Megan Barilla and freshman Lilli Piper (Norton, Ohio) chipped in six points apiece, while the senior notched a game-high six assists.
Bowling Green had three players score in double figures led by Lauren Tibbs' 11 points. Miriam Justinger and Kennedy Kirkpatrick added 10 points each for the Falcons.
Akron shot 27-for-58 (46.6 percent) from the field compared to Bowling Green's 21-of-56 (37.5 percent). The Zips held a 36-28 advantage in the paint and a 12-2 authority in points off turnovers.
IN OUR LAST MEETING
Akron def. Toledo, 81-71 (Jan. 20, 2016)
AKRON, OHIO - Akron on the strength of a 29-point, nine-rebound performance from Anita Brown withstood a talented Toledo squad en route to earning an 81-71 victory over the Rockets at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Brown finished one rebound shy of registering her team-leading fifth double-double. Hannah Plybon added 20 points, while DiAndra Gibson chipped in a 15-point, six-rebound and three-assist performance. Greta Burry contributed eight points and recorded a career-high 14 boards for the Zips.
Three Rockets scored in double figures led by Brenae Harris' 26 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Akron forced Toledo into 19 turnovers and finished the contest with a 21-11 edge in points off turnovers and had a slight 43-42 advantage on the glass.
Megan Barilla distributed a team-high six assists for Akron, while sophomore Lauren Hung (Waterford, Mich.) added six points off the bench.
The Zips stroked the ball at a 40.7-percent clip on the night, while the Rockets shot 39.1 percent from the field.
Brown and Plybon Earn All-MAC Honors
Akron women's basketball standouts Anita Brown and Hannah Plybon were tabbed as All-Mid-American Conference selections for the 2015-16 campaign, the league announced on Monday, March 7.
Brown was chosen as a first-team recipient for the initial time in her Zips' career, while Plybon was recognized as a second-team honoree.
Named to the All-MAC second team as a junior, Brown leads Akron into tournament play this season averaging a conference- and team-best 21.6 points per game, while pulling down a team-high 7.5 rebounds per night. She has started all 29 games that she has appeared in for the Zips during the 2015-16 campaign, and has scored in double figures in every contest.
Brown led the MAC in league-only games in scoring (20.7) in 2015-16, while rating fourth, sixth, sixth and eighth, respectively, in minutes played (35.8), rebounding (7.4), defensive rebounds per game (5.2) and steals (1.7).
A starter in all 30 games on the campaign, Plybon, who was a third-team All-MAC recipient as a sophomore, has connected on 93 three-pointers, while shooting 34.7 percent from beyond the arc. She ranks sixth in the conference and second on the team in scoring (16.4), while rating fourth on the squad in both assists (31) and steals (21).
Plybon has scored in double figures in 26 games, including 10 contests recording 20 or more points. She enters tournament play against Toledo rated second in the MAC in three pointers per game (3.1) and sixth in scoring (16.4). In league-only affairs, she ranked second in triples per outing (3.4) and fifth in scoring (17.4).
One Final Dance
Akron's showdown on Monday with Miami represented the final home game in the distinguished careers of seniors Anita Brown, Megan Barilla and DiAndra Gibson. The trio now enters the Zips' showdown versus Toledo having appeared in 124, 118 and 108 career games, respectively. Brown, Gibson and Barilla have recorded career scoring totals of 1,493, 605 and 160 points, while Brown and Gibson own 622 and 513 career rebounds.
News, Notes and Storylines
• Anita Brown owns a team-best 17.0 scoring and 6.8 rebounding averages in six career games versus Toledo, while Hannah Plybon has recorded 13.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in five contests against the Rockets.
• Despite trailing 39-12 in the all-time series with Toledo, the Zips have won five straight games over the Rockets.
• Akron owns a 7-6 mark against Toledo under head coach Jodi Kest.
• With its victory at Kent State (Feb. 27), the Zips assured themselves of a winning record in league play for a school record fourth consecutive campaign.
• Anita Brown is the fifth Zip to record at least 1,400 points and pull down 600 rebounds in their Akron career. Brown enters play against Toledo having amassed 1,493 career points and 622 rebounds.
• DiAndra Gibson surpassed 500 rebounds for her career when she equaled a career-high total of 16 against Miami. She will enter play against Toledo with 513 career rebounds for her Akron career.
• The Zips enter their game versus Toledo having attempted the second-most triples (700) in a season in program history, while ranking second in three pointers made (228).
• Anita Brown owns 626 points this season to rank fourth on the single-season top 10 in scoring for the Zips. She is four points away from surpassing Sina King (629 in 2014-15) for third place. She also is rated second, third, fifth and eighth, respectively, in the single-season record book in field goals attempted (546), field goals made (235), free throws attempted (188) and free throws made (132).
• Hannah Plybon has connected on 93 three pointers on the campaign and is ranked second on the single-season top 10 in three pointers. She is five triples from surpassing her own school record of 97 set during the 2014-15 campaign. Plybon is also rated first in attempted three pointers in a single campaign with 268.
• Hannah Plybon has scored 492 points this season, she will enter play against Toledo three points away from moving past Sina King (494 in 2012-13) for 10th place on the single-season scoring list at Akron.
• Megan Barilla has distributed 158 assists this season to rank third on the single-season top 10 in assists. She is 56 dimes away from moving past Kacie Cassell (213 in 2013-14) for second place.
• Anita Brown ranks fifth in career games played at Akron having appeared in 124 contests for the Zips entering play versus Toledo on Wednesday, March 9. Sitting at No. 10 with 118 career games played is Megan Barilla.
• When Anita Brown has scored 20 or more points in her career the Zips own a 18-12 mark. When Hannah Plybon surpasses 20 points in a contest Akron has posted an 12-3 record.
• The Zips own a 9-2 record in mid-week games this season, including holding road triumphs over Valparaiso, Eastern Michigan, Bowling Green and Miami.
• The Zips' 68-65 overtime triumph over Eastern Michigan marked the 375th victory in the coaching career of Jodi Kest.
• Akron's 71-55 win at Bowling Green marked the 150th for head coach Jodi Kest while leading the Zips.
• Akron's overtime victories past Miami (Feb. 24), Eastern Michigan (Jan. 6) and Northern Kentucky (Dec. 19) marked the first time in program history in which the Zips have won multiple overtime contests in a single campaign.
• Akron enters its contest versus Toledo on Wednesday, March 9, having won 56 of its last 79 games dating back to the 2013-14 campaign.
• Anita Brown entered the 2015-16 campaign as the Zips' active leader in career scoring. She will enter Akron's game with Toledo having amassed 1,493 points and has connected on 44 percent (.442) of her shots from the field and at a 33.9-percent clip from beyond the arc.
• Anita Brown is ranked seventh in career scoring at Akron with 1,493 career points. She is 51 points shy of surpassing Pam Arnold (1984-88) for sixth all-time in the Zips' record book.
• Greta Burry is shooting 54.0 percent from the field for her career having made 114 of her 211 shots.
• Megan Barilla leads Akron in assists distributing a team-best 5.3 dimes per game. Over the past two seasons she had posted 266 assists.
• The Zips have won 20 or more games in each of the last three seasons.
• With its win against Bowling Green (March 7, 2015), Akron surpassed the 2012-13 squad for the most regular season victories (22) in program history.
• The Zips' 12 league wins in 2014-15 represented the second-best single-season mark in program history.
• Akron's established a new school record for home wins in a season (13) a year ago.
• Following Akron's 71-61 triumph over Bowling Green on Saturday, March 5, the Zips have won 10 or more home games in five of the last seven seasons under head coach Jodi Kest.
• Akron registered its third-consecutive 20-win season a year ago. The Zips currently own the longest active streak among league teams of winning 20 or more games having done so in each of the previous three campaigns (2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15).
• Akron posted the second-, third-, third-, third-, third-, fourth-, fourth-, fourth- and fifth-best single-season marks in program history in winning percentage (.710), assists (508), field-goal percentage (.435), scoring average (74.4), three-pointers made (205), points scored (2,307), field goals made (858), triples attempted (596) and three-point percentage (.344).
• Akron's 10-game winning streak to begin last season represented the second-longest such streak in program history.
On This Date in Akron Women's Basketball History
The Zips will be playing for the fourth time in program history on March 9 when Akron battles Toledo on Wednesday. The Zips own a victory over Marquette (73-60 in 1989).
Akron Notes
• Eight players in Anita Brown (29), Hannah Plybon (25), DiAndra Gibson (16), Greta Burry (9), Alli Ball (St. Louis, Mo.) (2), Megan Barilla (1), Lauren Hung (2) and Alex Ricketts (Mercer, Pa.) (1) have scored in double figures for the Zips this season.
• Akron has responded following each of its 12 losses this season as three Zips are averaging double figures in these games while outscoring its opponents by 6.7 tallies per outing. Akron owns a 9-3 mark in these contests. Anita Brown, Hannah Plybon and DiAndra Gibson are posting 19.8, 17.6 and 10.9 points per contest, while Brown is recording a team-best 7.8 rebounds per tilt.
• In the Zips' 15 games away from James A. Rhodes Arena this season, Anita Brown is averaging 22.1 points per contest.
• Since opening the season with a 1-4 ledger, the Zips have posted a 7-3 mark in their last 10 games, including a 5-1 record in December.
• Akron had won five straight true road games dating back to an 85-74 decision past Valparaiso on Dec. 9 before the Zips suffered an 81-60 setback at Central Michigan on Jan. 23. It marked Akron's longest such streak since rolling off seven consecutive true road wins during the 2013-14 campaign.
• The Zips have pulled down 50 or more rebounds in seven contests this season.
• The 103 points scored against Rochester College, Dec. 2, marked the fourth-highest single-game point total in program history. Seven of the top-10 single-game scoring outputs have occurred under 10th-year head coach Jodi Kest.
• Anita Brown is averaging a team-best 8.8 points in the first half of games this season, while Greta Burry is shooting 52.6 percent (40-76) in the initial 20 minutes of the Zips' tilts on the campaign.
• In the second half of games this season, Anita Brown leads the offensive efforts for Akron averaging 12.5 points. As a team, the Zips are shooting 41.9 percent from the field in the final 20 minutes of their 30 contests this season.
• Hannah Plybon connected on five three pointers in the Zips' 71-61 victory versus Bowling Green marking the 13th time in her career in which has made five or more triples in a game.
• Akron's 62 rebounds against Winthrop marked the ninth-best single-game performance in program history.
• Greta Burry and Alli Ball registered their first career double-doubles at Florida Atlantic.
• The Zips' +31 rebounding advantage against Youngstown State was the largest margin for Akron this season and most for the Zips since outrebounding Bowling Green, 56-32, in the 2014-15 regular season finale on March 7, 2015.
• Akron's 22 offensive rebounds at Florida Atlantic and at home versus Winthrop equaled the top-performance for the Zips during the entire 2014-15 campaign. Akron pulled down 22 offensive caroms in a 79-71 victory at Bowling Green on March 7, 2015.
• Anita Brown was selected as the Mid-American Conference East Women's Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced on Nov. 17. Brown directed Akron's efforts in the Zips' 91-77 setback at Florida Atlantic on Nov. 13, registering a team-high 27 points.
• Anita Brown was selected as the Mid-American Conference East Women's Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced on Dec. 14. Brown turned in a big week for the Zips averaging 25.0 points and 6.5 rebounds en route to shooting 50 percent from the field in a pair of road games for Akron.
• Anita Brown was selected as the Mid-American Conference East Women's Basketball Player of the Week, the league announced on Jan. 25. Brown turned in a strong week for the Zips averaging team-high marks in scoring (26.0), while also posting 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.5 assists in a pair of games for the Zips.
• Greta Burry's eight offensive rebounds against Florida Atlantic equaled the top single-game performance last season by a Zip, set by Anita Brown, who pulled down eight offensive boards in an 80-49 triumph over Binghamton.
• Anita Brown and Hannah Plybon own 30 and 15 career 20-point performances after Brown poured in 29 points versus Miami on March 7.
• The Zips have won 36 of their last 44 games at the James A. Rhodes Arena, including a 11-4 mark this season.
• Akron is 13-4 this season when scoring 70 or more points.
• Akron equaled a school record connecting on 13 three-pointers in its win at Central Michigan on Jan. 24, 2015. The Zips' effort matched the 13 triples Akron drained versus the Chippewas on Feb. 21, 2005.
• Anita Brown's 36 points against Toledo (Jan. 14) last season represented the fourth-highest single-game scoring effort in program history, while Megan Barilla notched the ninth-best performance for assists with 10 dimes.
• Since 2010, Akron has surpassed the 100-point plateau in scoring on nine occasions, including versus Valparaiso and Toledo last season. The Zips' record all-time when scoring 100 or more is 11-0.
• The Zips' 100-65 win over Valparaiso marked the 350th in the coaching career of Kest.
• The Zips made their fourth postseason appearance in the last six years last season, advancing to the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). The Zips ended their postseason run with an 86-68 loss at Kansas State.
• Kest, now in her 10th season at the helm of the program, has collected the most wins of any Akron women's basketball head coach in the history of the program.
Plybon Joins Brown in Akron's 1,000-Point Club
With her second of two free throws with 46 seconds remaining in Akron's 77-65 victory past Miami on Feb. 6, Hannah Plybon joined teammate Anita Brown as members of the 1,000-point club at Akron. Earlier in the season, Brown connected on a three pointer at the 6:54 mark of the fourth quarter in the Zips' 74-54 victory over UCF on Dec. 5 to move past 1,000 career points. Brown and Plybon will enter the Toledo contest with 1,493 and 1,137 career points, respectively.
Zips Find Road Success in MAC Play
For the first time in program history Akron was victorious in its initial three conference road games this season before dropping an 81-60 decision at Central Michigan. The Zips registered triumphs over Eastern Michigan (68-65 in OT), Bowling Green (71-55) and Buffalo (69-61). Anita Brown and Hannah Plybon have led Akron averaging 19.3 and 15.2 points per game in road league affairs. DiAndra Gibson is recording 12.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in league road contests, while Greta Burry is posting 9.3 points and 6.3 rebound per tilt.
Brown Fuels Zips' Attack
Anita Brown has been the catalyst for the Zips' offense this season averaging a team-best 21.6 points per contest. She has surpassed the 20-point plateau in all but 11 games this season. Brown has now scored in double figures in each of the last 38 contests for the Zips, including scoring 20 or more points in 22 of the 38 tilts.
Barilla Dropping Dimes Sparks Akron
Megan Barilla is off to an impressive start distributing the ball for the Zips averaging a team-high 5.3 assists per game. She has recorded four or more dimes in 27 of Akron's 30 contests this season and on 41 occasions dating back to the start of the 2014-15 campaign. She is on pace to own the third-best single-season assist average in program history.
Burry Ups the Ante for the Zips
Greta Burry has delivered for the Zips this season after earning a starting role to begin the campaign. As a freshman, Burry appeared in 23 games for Akron averaging 1.5 points and 1.3 rebounds per night. Through 30 games this season, Burry has posted 8.1 points and 6.1 rebounds a game, while shooting 53.2 percent from the field.
Brown Earns Accolades
Anita Brown was named the Zips' Student-Athlete of the Week, presented by The University of Akron, Ohio's Polytechnic University. Additionally, she was tabbed by CollegeSportsMadness.com as its Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Week on Dec. 21.
Plybon a Quick Study
Only a junior, Hannah Plybon has earned her undergraduate degree in speech language in just over two years from the University of Akron this past August. She is currently pursuing her master's degree.
Barilla Among Elite Company With Triple-Double
Megan Barilla's 10-point, 10-rebound and 10-assist effort against UCF marked the first triple-double for a Zips since the NCAA Division I record book began for following the 1985-86 campaign. The triple-double also represents the 12th by a player from the current 12 members of the Mid-American Conference over the same span. The 10-point and 10-rebound efforts established new career-high marks, while she matched her career-best 10 assist performance in a 102-101 victory last season at Toledo.
Zips Add Six the 2016 Recruiting Class
The University of Akron women's basketball team, under the leadership of 10th-year head coach Jodi Kest, has announced the addition of six student-athletes joining the Zips' squad for the 2016-17 campaign.
Donning the Akron uniform next season will be Alyssa Clay (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike), Shaunay Edwards (Pittsburgh, Pa./Seton LaSalle), Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio/Teays Valley), Brooke Kurucz (Parkersburg, W.Va./Parkersburg), Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind./Westfield) and Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio/Revere), who have signed National Letters of Intent to join the Zips' program for the 2016-17 campaign.
A 5-8 guard from Pike High School in Indianapolis, Ind., averaged 11.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per contest as a junior en route to earning honorable mention all-state accolades. She has helped guide the Red Devils to back-to-back sectional championships and was tabbed to the 2015 Indiana Junior All-Star team. A strong student, Clay owns a 4.45 grade-point average and is the top-ranked student in her graduating class.
A 5-3 guard, Edmonds averaged 11.0 points, 8.0 assists, 6.0 steals and 4.0 rebounds per contest as a junior at Seton LaSalle High School in Pittsburgh, Pa. The 27th-rated point guard in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz rankings, she helped lead the Rebels to a state championship as a freshman in 2013 and a runner-up performance as a sophomore in 2014. She was named the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League championship game most valuable player as a junior.
A 5-9 guard from Teays Valley High School in Ashville, Ohio, Harmon recorded 20.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 4.8 steals a game as a junior en route to earning All-Ohio special mention honors. She has garnered recognition as the 25th-rated guard in the country by Prospects Nation and is ranked 74th nationally by ESPN HoopGurlz. She was selected as the Ohio District 10 Player of the Year in 2015.
A 5-9 guard out of Parkersburg High School in Parkersburg, W.Va., Kurucz posted 18.5 points and 5.8 rebounds as a junior en route to earning third-team All-State and first-team all-conference accolades in 2015.
A 6-2 forward from Westfield, Ind., Reinoehl averaged nearly a double-double as a junior for Westfield High School registering 12.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per contest. An honorable mention All-State and first-team all-county selection in 2015, she is the 46th-rated forward in the country by ESPN HoopGurlz.
A 6-1 forward out of Revere High School in Richfield, Ohio, Vari was named an honorable mention All-Ohio recipient as a junior after averaging 12.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Additionally, she was selected as an all-county honoree in 2015.
King Earns Her Crown
Sina King became only the second Zips' player to be named the Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Player of the Year with her selection as the league's top player for the 2014-15 campaign.
She led the conference in scoring (20.3), rebounding (9.3) and defensive rebounding (6.8), while ranking third in three-point shooting (.382), sixth in field-goal percentage (.478) and in free-throw percentage (.789).
She scored in double figures in all 31 games en route to posting a league-best 16 double-doubles.
In conference-only affairs, she rated first in scoring (20.7) and three-point percentage (.407), and second in rebounding (9.3), while shooting 47.5 percent from the floor (sixth in the MAC).
King capped her career with 888 rebounds and 1,634 points, the third- and fourth-highest totals in program history, while playing in 124 career games.
Three Zips Earn All-MAC Honors
Led by Sina King, who was tabbed as first-team All-Mid-American Conference women's basketball selection, three Akron student-athletes garnered all-conference accolades during the 2014-15 season.
Anita Brown and Hannah Plybon were tabbed second- and third-team selections, respectively.
A second-team honoree as a sophomore and a third-team selection during her junior campaign, King started all 31 games for the Zips last season, registering team- and conference-best marks in scoring (20.7) and rebounding (9.3).
Assuming a spot in the Zips' starting line-up last season for the first time, Brown stepped into Akron's rotation and responded averaging 18.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per contest. She scored in double figures in 28 games and shot 47.3 percent from the floor.
In league-only affairs, Brown registered 16.9 points and 6.8 rebounds a night, while connecting on 43.1 percent of her shots from the field.
A starter in all 31 games on the campaign, Plybon connected on a school-record 97 three-pointers, while shooting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc. She ranked third on the team in scoring (13.2), fourth in assists (60) and fifth in steals (24) and scored in double figures in 18 games, including five contests recording 20 or more points.
Zips Over the Last Five Games
A trio of Zips are averaging double figures in scoring over Akron's last five games as the threesome of Anita Brown, Hannah Plybon and DiAndra Gibson have posted 20.8, 15.6 and 10.6 points a night en route to leading the Zips to a 5-0 mark. Akron is shooting nearly 40.0 percent (.399) from the field, while its opposition is connecting with a 35.6-percent shooting mark from the floor. Gibson paces Akron in rebounding averaging 7.0 caroms a night, while Megan Barilla owns a team-best 23 assists.
Akron in Close Games
Akron has been involved in 57 games decided by five points or fewer under head coach Jodi Kest. A breakdown of those matches is as follows; one-point difference (9-8), two-point difference (10-4), three-point difference (4-4), four-point difference (4-6) and five-point difference (2-6).
Zips' Offensive Progress Report
In Akron's 30 games this season, this is how the Zips have fared from the field: 50 percent: .500 (Eastern Michigan-2), 40 percent: . 476 (Valparaiso), .476 (UCF), .474 (Kent State-1), .472 (Miami-1), .466 (Bowling Green-2), .457 (Rochester College), .450 (Kent State-2), .443 (Ball State), .426 (Northern Colorado), .423 (Florida Atlantic), .419 (Youngstown State), .412 (Bowling Green-1), .411 (Northern Kentucky), .407 (Toledo), .404 (Western Michigan), .400 (Buffalo-2), .400 (Central Michigan-1), .400 (San Diego), 30 percent: .397 (Florida Gulf Coast), .390 (Buffalo-1), .371 (Ohio-2), .348 (Northern Illinois), .347 (Winthrop), .344 (Miami-3), .339 (Miami-2), .313 (Central Michigan-2), .310 (Northern Iowa), 20 percent: .299 (Eastern Michigan-1), .274 (Ohio-1).
Akron's Defensive Progress Report
In the Zips' 30 games this season, this is how Akron's opponents have fared from the field: 50 percent: .588 (Central Michigan-1), .540 (San Diego), .500 (Kent State-1), .500 (Ball State), 40 percent: .492 (Ohio-2), .467 (Florida Atlantic), .458 (Valparaiso), .442 (Kent State-2), .407 (Northern Illinois), 30 percent: .397 (Western Michigan), .397 (Ohio-1), .393 (Northern Colorado), .391 (Toledo), .391 (Florida Gulf Coast), .385 (Eastern Michigan-2), .385 (Central Michigan-2), .375 (Miami-2), .375 (Bowling Green-2), .365 (Eastern Michigan-1), .365 (Northern Kentucky), .343 (UCF), .333 (Miami-1), .322 (Miami-3), .307 (Winthrop), 20 percent: .295 (Youngstown State), .292 (Buffalo-2), .292 (Buffalo-1), .276 (Bowling Green-1), .265 (Northern Iowa), .216 (Rochester College).
Bench Production
Akron is averaging 12.2 points of production from its bench through the Zips' 30 games this season. Alex Ricketts, Lauren Hung and Alli Ball lead the way registering 3.4, 3.0 and 2.5 points, respectively. Ricketts and Ball pace the reserves in rebounding pulling down 2.6 caroms per tilt.
Preseason Predictions
University of Akron women's basketball senior Anita Brown and junior Hannah Plybon were named to the Preseason All-Mid-American Conference East team in a preseason poll of 12 conference coaches, the league office announced on Oct. 27.
The Zips under 10th-year head coach Jodi Kest, were picked to finish second as a team in the MAC East Division behind Ohio, who was tabbed to win the conference's regular and postseason championships. Following Akron (53 points) was Bowling Green (51 points), Miami (26 points), Buffalo (25 points) and Kent State (25 points).
In the MAC West, Eastern Michigan (64 points) received four first-place votes and was named the favorite to win the division. Ball State (63 points) captured eight first-place votes, but was selected to finish second. The Cardinals were followed by Western Michigan (45 points), Toledo (42 points), Central Michigan (24 points) and Northern Illinois (14 points).
Also voted on by the coaches was the predicted 2015 MAC Regular Season Champion. Ohio received 10 of the 12 first-place votes, while Ball State and Eastern Michigan each collected one championship vote.
In a tabulation of the MAC Championship winner, Ohio was selected as the favorite earning five first-place tallies. The Bobcats were followed by Ball State and Eastern Michigan with three votes apiece, while Buffalo rounded out the poll with the final tally.
King Garners All-America Accolades
Sina King was named an honorable mention All-American by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) for the 2014-15 campaign.
King was one of 52 other student-athletes from across all of Division I women's basketball to be honored by the WBCA. Her selection marked the second-straight year that Akron had a player earn honorable mention All-America accolades by the WBCA.
King joined Rachel Tecca (2013-14), Cheryl Bowles (1999-2000) and Pam Arnold (1986-87) as Zips who have been honored as earned honorable mention All-America recipients during their distinguished Akron careers.
Zips' Duo Earns Academic All-MAC Honors
Sina King and Hannah Plybon were named to the 2014-15 Mid-American Conference Women's Basketball Academic All-MAC team. In all, a total of 29 student-athletes were named to the squad for last season. The duo was also named to the MAC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete list in 2014-15.
Newcomer Notes
• Lilli Piper - Fr., Norton, Ohio/Walsh Jesuit: averaged 14.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game as a senior en route to earning all-conference and honorable mention All-Ohio honors. As a junior, she recorded 12.3 points, 8.6 rebounds and 5.9 assists per contest and garnered All-Ohio Special Mention recognition, and was also named first team all-district. A multi-sport athlete, Piper was tabbed the 2014 softball player of the year by Cleveland.com, and maintained a 3.6 GPA.
• Fredniqua Walker - Fr., Cleveland, Ohio/Shaw: averaged a double-double as a senior posting 16 points and 12 rebounds per contest en route to earning all-conference, all-district and third-team All-Ohio accolades and being named as a McDonald's All-American nominee. As a junior, averaged 12 points and 10 rebounds per game. She earned all-district recognition following her junior campaign in 2013-14. Walker boasted a 4.3 GPA and ranked No. 1 in her class.
What Is a Zip?
• One of the unique nicknames in collegiate athletics belongs to The University of Akron.
• Originally Zippers, athletic director Kenneth "Red" Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950. Twenty-five years earlier a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname for the University's athletics teams.
• Suggestions submitted by students, faculty, and alumni included Golden Blue Devils, Tip Toppers, Rubbernecks, Hillbillies, Kangaroos, and Cheveliers.
• The winner, freshman Margaret Hamlin, received a prize of $10 for Zippers, a $6 pair of rubber overshoes and a brand name of the BF Goodrich Company.
• The evolution of Zippy, UA's mascot, began 40 years ago when the student council decided the University needed a mascot.
• "Zippy" the kangaroo was officially declared the school's mascot on May 1, 1953. The first known printed reference to the mascot as "Zippy" was a 1965 Zip football press brochure. The Buchtelite's first use of the name "Zippy" came Sept. 24, 1965, in an identification of a photo of the cheerleaders listing "Mascot - 'Zippy' - Charles Huettner."
• In 2007, Zippy was named the Capital One National Mascot of the Year.
Up Next
A victory by the Zips over Toledo will send Akron into the MAC Tournament semifinals to face the winner of the showdown between No. 1 Ohio and No. 8 Buffalo on Friday, March 11, at 12 p.m. A loss against the Rockets will force the Zips to wait out postseason selections to see if their 2015-16 body of work earns Akron a postseason berth.
