The University of Akron Athletics
Zips Begin Preparation for 2016 Foreign Tour
August 02 | Women's Basketball
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AKRON, Ohio - The University of Akron women's basketball team under the leadership of 11th-year head coach Jodi Kest opened the first of its 10 practice dates in preparation for the Zips' foreign trip to Montreal, Quebec (Aug. 19-26) on Monday, Aug. 1, at James A. Rhodes Arena."The opportunity to get 10 days of practice in before this wonderful foreign trip to Montreal is very exciting," Kest commented. "With such a young team coming in, including six freshmen, these practices and trip will provide an invaluable learning experience both on and off the court, one which I hope will better prepare us for the upcoming season. We are looking forward to this unique opportunity with our student-athletes."
The Zips will depart Akron for their nine-day journey to Montreal on Friday, Aug. 19, and the squad will compete in four exhibitions during their stay in Canada.
Akron will open its trip playing the University of Quebec at Montreal on Sunday, Aug. 21, at 1 p.m. The Zips then battle Champlain College Saint-Lambert on Monday, Aug. 22, at 7 p.m., and Carleton University on Tuesday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. Akron closes out its four-game tour playing McGill University on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m., before returning to the United States on Friday, Aug. 26.
Akron returns a pair of starters this season in second-team All-Mid-American Conference performer senior Hannah Plybon (Orrville, Ohio) and junior Greta Burry (Lakewood, Ohio) from a squad which registered a 19-14 ledger during the 2015-16 campaign en route to earning a berth in the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). It marked the Zips' fourth straight postseason appearance and sixth in program history.
Akron also will be bolstered by the return of senior Alex Ricketts (Mercer, Pa.), juniors Alli Ball (St. Louis, Mo.), Kaitlyn Flowers (Lompoc, Calif.) and Lauren Hung (Waterford, Mich.), redshirt sophomore Megan Sefcik (Austintown, Ohio) and sophomore Fredniqua Walker (Cleveland, Ohio).
Adding to the mix for the Zips this season will be a youthful infusion of talent in freshmen Alyssa Clay (Indianapolis, Ind.), Shaunay Edwards (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Shayna Harmon (Ashville, Ohio), Brooke Kurucz (Parkersburg, W. Va.), Haliegh Reinoehl (Westfield, Ind.) and Caitlin Vari (Richfield, Ohio), along with senior Brittany Gordon (South Charleston, W. Va.), a graduate transfer from the University of Pittsburgh.
Akron opens its 2016-17 campaign hosting Malone in the Zips' season opener on Nov. 12 at James A. Rhodes Arena.
Season tickets are now on sale for the 2016-17 campaign, with ticket packages starting at $55. VIP floor seating is again available for women's basketball games, priced at $100 for the season (including a $25 donation to the Z-Fund).
Akron faculty and staff may purchase season tickets for $45, while the Zips also offer a family plan allowing two adults and two children season tickets for $99. Additionally, fans may add on men's basketball general admission season seats for $30 and $50 for a men's family plan add-on.
Another option is the All-Access 10-pack available for $100 that allows fans 10-undated vouchers which can be redeemed for 10 general admission tickets for any of Akron's ticketed sporting events.
Tickets can be purchased online anytime at GoZips.com/Tickets, or from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET on Mondays through Fridays by either calling 1-888-99-AKRON (25766) or visiting The C.P. and Cornelia S. Chima Athletics Ticket Office at InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field (located at 375 E. Exchange Street, near Gate 1 at the southwest corner of the venue, at the corner of E. Exchange and S. Union streets).
