The University of Akron Athletics
Akron Women's Basketball Adds Four to 2025 Signing Class
June 04 | Women's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron women's basketball squad under the leadership of third-year head coach Ryan Gensler, has announced a dynamic four-member newcomer class that will hit the court for the Zips during the 2025-26 campaign.
Donning the Akron uniform this upcoming season will be Shaena Brew (Rialto, Calif.), Izzy Callaway (Copley, Ohio), Natalie Johnson (Waldorf, Md.) and Keiryn McGuff (Dublin, Ohio).
The quartet joins Kailee Bransford (Cincinnati, Ohio), Monique Mitchell (South Bend, Ind.) and Corinne Reed (Chicago, Ill.) who signed with the Zips during the early signing period in the fall.
"This group brings a blend of scoring prowess, defensive intensity, and leadership that aligns perfectly with our program's vision," said Gensler. "We're thrilled to integrate their talents into our team dynamics."
A native of Rialto, Calif., Brew, a 5-6 guard, comes to Akron from Etiwanda High School in Etiwanda, Calif. A versatile scoring guard, she is known for her ability to contribute offensively and her tenacious defense. She played a pivotal role in leading Etiwanda to CIF Open Division State and National titles as a junior and senior. She averaged 10.0 points and 8.5 assists per game during her prep career during which she twice garnered All-State accolades. She was tabbed a First-Team All-League as a senior in 2025 and was selected to participate in the IE All-Star Basketball Classic.
A native of Copley, Ohio, Callaway, a 5-7 guard, arrives at Akron having played her freshman campaign at Walsh University where she turned in a strong freshman season. A year ago, she averaged 14.2 points per game and shot nearly 48 percent (.476) from the field, more than 35 percent (.354) from beyond the arc and at a .827 clip at the free throw line en route to earning All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference Second-Team accolades. A decorated prep star at Copley High School, the multi-time All-Conference performer was tabbed the Suburban League Player of the Year and First-Team All-Ohio selection in Division II as a senior.
A native of Waldorf, Md., Johnson, a 5-8 guard, comes to Akron after a stellar junior campaign at Saint Francis University. A year ago, she averaged 10.0 points per game, while shooting more than 47 percent (.473) from the field and nearly 43 percent (.429) from three-point range en route to earning All-Northeast Conference second-team accolades. As a prep standout at North Point High School, she led her squad to four county championships en route to averaging 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 2.0 assists per contest. As a senior, she led her team to a regional title and was honored as the County Player of the Year.
A native of Dublin, Ohio, McGuff, a 6-0 guard/forward, arrives at Akron bringing size and versatility to the Zips' line-up having played her first two campaigns at Bowling Green where she played in 38 games, including 11 starts. Known for her efforts on the defensive end of the court, she averaged 3.7 points and 3.6 rebounds as a sophomore and garnered Academic All-MAC honors. She averaged 12.0 points per game a senior at Dublin Coffman High School en route to garnering All-Ohio honorable mention laurels after leading her squad to a 20-6 record and a share of the OCC-Central Division title. She helped guide the Webb School in Tennessee to a Division II Class AA state title as a junior after playing her freshman and sophomore seasons at Bishop Watterson High School.
2025-26 Akron Women's Basketball Signing Class
Kailee Bransford, G, 5-7, Cincinnati, Ohio (Mount Notre Dame)
Shaena Brew, G, 5-6, Rialto, Calif. (Etiwanda)
Izzy Callaway, G, 5-7, Copley, Ohio (Copley/Walsh)
Natalie Johnson, G, 5-8, Waldorf, Md. (North Point/Saint Francis)
Keiryn McGuff, G/F, 6-0, Dublin, Ohio (Dublin Coffman/Bowling Green)
Monique Mitchell, G/F, 5-11, South Bend, Ind. (South Bend Washington)
Corinne Reed, G, 5-9, Chicago, Ill. (St. Charles East)
Donning the Akron uniform this upcoming season will be Shaena Brew (Rialto, Calif.), Izzy Callaway (Copley, Ohio), Natalie Johnson (Waldorf, Md.) and Keiryn McGuff (Dublin, Ohio).
The quartet joins Kailee Bransford (Cincinnati, Ohio), Monique Mitchell (South Bend, Ind.) and Corinne Reed (Chicago, Ill.) who signed with the Zips during the early signing period in the fall.
"This group brings a blend of scoring prowess, defensive intensity, and leadership that aligns perfectly with our program's vision," said Gensler. "We're thrilled to integrate their talents into our team dynamics."
A native of Rialto, Calif., Brew, a 5-6 guard, comes to Akron from Etiwanda High School in Etiwanda, Calif. A versatile scoring guard, she is known for her ability to contribute offensively and her tenacious defense. She played a pivotal role in leading Etiwanda to CIF Open Division State and National titles as a junior and senior. She averaged 10.0 points and 8.5 assists per game during her prep career during which she twice garnered All-State accolades. She was tabbed a First-Team All-League as a senior in 2025 and was selected to participate in the IE All-Star Basketball Classic.
A native of Copley, Ohio, Callaway, a 5-7 guard, arrives at Akron having played her freshman campaign at Walsh University where she turned in a strong freshman season. A year ago, she averaged 14.2 points per game and shot nearly 48 percent (.476) from the field, more than 35 percent (.354) from beyond the arc and at a .827 clip at the free throw line en route to earning All-Great Midwest Athletic Conference Second-Team accolades. A decorated prep star at Copley High School, the multi-time All-Conference performer was tabbed the Suburban League Player of the Year and First-Team All-Ohio selection in Division II as a senior.
A native of Waldorf, Md., Johnson, a 5-8 guard, comes to Akron after a stellar junior campaign at Saint Francis University. A year ago, she averaged 10.0 points per game, while shooting more than 47 percent (.473) from the field and nearly 43 percent (.429) from three-point range en route to earning All-Northeast Conference second-team accolades. As a prep standout at North Point High School, she led her squad to four county championships en route to averaging 17.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.0 steals and 2.0 assists per contest. As a senior, she led her team to a regional title and was honored as the County Player of the Year.
A native of Dublin, Ohio, McGuff, a 6-0 guard/forward, arrives at Akron bringing size and versatility to the Zips' line-up having played her first two campaigns at Bowling Green where she played in 38 games, including 11 starts. Known for her efforts on the defensive end of the court, she averaged 3.7 points and 3.6 rebounds as a sophomore and garnered Academic All-MAC honors. She averaged 12.0 points per game a senior at Dublin Coffman High School en route to garnering All-Ohio honorable mention laurels after leading her squad to a 20-6 record and a share of the OCC-Central Division title. She helped guide the Webb School in Tennessee to a Division II Class AA state title as a junior after playing her freshman and sophomore seasons at Bishop Watterson High School.
2025-26 Akron Women's Basketball Signing Class
Kailee Bransford, G, 5-7, Cincinnati, Ohio (Mount Notre Dame)
Shaena Brew, G, 5-6, Rialto, Calif. (Etiwanda)
Izzy Callaway, G, 5-7, Copley, Ohio (Copley/Walsh)
Natalie Johnson, G, 5-8, Waldorf, Md. (North Point/Saint Francis)
Keiryn McGuff, G/F, 6-0, Dublin, Ohio (Dublin Coffman/Bowling Green)
Monique Mitchell, G/F, 5-11, South Bend, Ind. (South Bend Washington)
Corinne Reed, G, 5-9, Chicago, Ill. (St. Charles East)
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