The University of Akron Athletics
November 10 | Women's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's basketball squad under the leadership of fifth-year head coach Melissa Jackson, has announced a talented three-member class for the early-signing period for the class of 2023.
Donning the Akron uniform next season will be Olivia Brown (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern), Leila Jones (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South) and Dacia Lewandowksi (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Catholic).
"I'm very excited to officially welcome these three outstanding student-athletes into our Akron family," Jackson commented. "The three young ladies align with our core values and culture. They are also very successful players that will impact our program at the guard spots."
OLIVIA BROWN
A guard from Fishers, Ind., Brown is a three-year letterwinner at Hamilton Southeastern High School. An all-conference recipient, she owns career averages of 9.0 points, 8.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game. An adidas All-America selection a year ago, she earned all-state accolades as a junior in the large school division by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. She has been tabbed by the Indianapolis Star as a 2022-23 Preseason Super Team honoree.
JACKSON ON BROWN – "From Day One, Olivia was our No. 1 point guard in the 2023 class. She is an outstanding leader and winner in everything she does. Olivia is an elite defender with a motor and tremendous speed. She is a great floor general who can really run a team. A candidate for Miss Indiana, Olivia can also score the ball with great ability to get to the rim."
LEILA JONES
A wing from Westerville, Ohio, Jones is a three-year letterwinner at Westerville South High School. A team captain and all-conference honoree, she owns career averages of 12.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while shooting more than 33 percent from beyond the arc and drawing more than one offensive charge per outing.
JACKSON ON JONES – "Leila is a bigger guard who will bring good athleticism, size and strength to the wing. Her biggest strength is her outside shooting ability. She has great consistency and a quick release. Leila has a good feel for the game and is a very smart defender."
DACIA LEWANDOWSKI
A guard from Pittsburgh, Pa., Lewandowski is a three-year letterwinner at North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., where she owns career averages of 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals per contest. She garnered First-Team All-State accolades as a junior en route to being named by KDKA as the 3A Player of the Year this past season. Additionally, she was named the Most Valuable Player of the WPIAL Championship game in 2022. Off the court, she maintains a 4.57 grade point average.
JACKSON ON LEWANDOWSKI – "Dacia is an extremely long and athletic combo guard, who will bring great versatility to that position. Another very good defender, Dacia, will be great in our defensive concepts. She also comes from a very successful high school program that has regularly competed for state championships. A First-Team All-State selection, Dacia can score in multiple ways. She is also an exceptional leader with a tremendous basketball IQ."
2023-24 AKRON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNING CLASS
Olivia Brown, G, 6-1, Fishers, Ind. (Hamilton Southeastern)
Leila Jones, G/F, 5-10, Westerville, Ohio (Westerville South)
Dacia Lewandowski, G, 5-11, Pittsburgh, Pa. (North Catholic)
UP NEXT:
Akron opens its home schedule hosting Dayton in a 2 p.m. matinee affair on Sunday, Nov. 13 at James A. Rhodes Arena.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Women's basketball season ticket plans are available for the upcoming season in the Floor VIP seating only for $100 per seat for every home game. A season parking pass is included with the purchase of the season ticket plan.
Limited quantities of Floor VIP seats are available, to order fans can call/text the ticket office or visit us at 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) during our business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
ABOUT ZIPS ATHLETICS
Founded in 1870, The University of Akron (UA) is one of Ohio's most influential public urban research universities, conducting high-quality research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. The University offers more than 200-degree programs, including unique, highly ranked associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degrees — with accreditations by 35 professional agencies. UA is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, investment in community and economic growth. Akron sponsors 17 NCAA Division I sports with more than 500 student-athletes. Learn more at gozips.com.
Donning the Akron uniform next season will be Olivia Brown (Fishers, Ind./Hamilton Southeastern), Leila Jones (Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South) and Dacia Lewandowksi (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Catholic).
"I'm very excited to officially welcome these three outstanding student-athletes into our Akron family," Jackson commented. "The three young ladies align with our core values and culture. They are also very successful players that will impact our program at the guard spots."
OLIVIA BROWN
A guard from Fishers, Ind., Brown is a three-year letterwinner at Hamilton Southeastern High School. An all-conference recipient, she owns career averages of 9.0 points, 8.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game. An adidas All-America selection a year ago, she earned all-state accolades as a junior in the large school division by the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. She has been tabbed by the Indianapolis Star as a 2022-23 Preseason Super Team honoree.
JACKSON ON BROWN – "From Day One, Olivia was our No. 1 point guard in the 2023 class. She is an outstanding leader and winner in everything she does. Olivia is an elite defender with a motor and tremendous speed. She is a great floor general who can really run a team. A candidate for Miss Indiana, Olivia can also score the ball with great ability to get to the rim."
LEILA JONES
A wing from Westerville, Ohio, Jones is a three-year letterwinner at Westerville South High School. A team captain and all-conference honoree, she owns career averages of 12.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while shooting more than 33 percent from beyond the arc and drawing more than one offensive charge per outing.
JACKSON ON JONES – "Leila is a bigger guard who will bring good athleticism, size and strength to the wing. Her biggest strength is her outside shooting ability. She has great consistency and a quick release. Leila has a good feel for the game and is a very smart defender."
DACIA LEWANDOWSKI
A guard from Pittsburgh, Pa., Lewandowski is a three-year letterwinner at North Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pa., where she owns career averages of 16.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 3.0 steals per contest. She garnered First-Team All-State accolades as a junior en route to being named by KDKA as the 3A Player of the Year this past season. Additionally, she was named the Most Valuable Player of the WPIAL Championship game in 2022. Off the court, she maintains a 4.57 grade point average.
JACKSON ON LEWANDOWSKI – "Dacia is an extremely long and athletic combo guard, who will bring great versatility to that position. Another very good defender, Dacia, will be great in our defensive concepts. She also comes from a very successful high school program that has regularly competed for state championships. A First-Team All-State selection, Dacia can score in multiple ways. She is also an exceptional leader with a tremendous basketball IQ."
2023-24 AKRON WOMEN'S BASKETBALL SIGNING CLASS
Olivia Brown, G, 6-1, Fishers, Ind. (Hamilton Southeastern)
Leila Jones, G/F, 5-10, Westerville, Ohio (Westerville South)
Dacia Lewandowski, G, 5-11, Pittsburgh, Pa. (North Catholic)
UP NEXT:
Akron opens its home schedule hosting Dayton in a 2 p.m. matinee affair on Sunday, Nov. 13 at James A. Rhodes Arena.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Women's basketball season ticket plans are available for the upcoming season in the Floor VIP seating only for $100 per seat for every home game. A season parking pass is included with the purchase of the season ticket plan.
Limited quantities of Floor VIP seats are available, to order fans can call/text the ticket office or visit us at 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) during our business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).
ABOUT ZIPS ATHLETICS
Founded in 1870, The University of Akron (UA) is one of Ohio's most influential public urban research universities, conducting high-quality research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. The University offers more than 200-degree programs, including unique, highly ranked associate, bachelor's, master's, doctoral and law degrees — with accreditations by 35 professional agencies. UA is focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, investment in community and economic growth. Akron sponsors 17 NCAA Division I sports with more than 500 student-athletes. Learn more at gozips.com.
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