The University of Akron Athletics
Monday, November 2
Akron, Ohio
6:00 PM
University of Akron
vs
South Alabama
The 2026-27 Zips have plenty of reasons for optimism heading into head coach Ryan Gensler's fourth season at the helm.
November 01 | Women's Basketball
AKRON, Ohio — Akron head women's basketball coach Ryan Gensler sees plenty of reasons for optimism heading into the 2026-27 season.
After finishing the 2025-26 campaign with a 7-24 record (4-14 in the MAC), Gensler and his staff brought in nine new players — seven of which are transfers — and retained three core players from last season that saw significant minutes.
Throughout the preseason, the fourth-year head coach has liked what he has seen from the group, particularly in the way the team has come together on the defensive end of the floor.
"I've felt really good about how we've gelled together so far," Gensler said. "We're sharing the ball really well and are taking some ownership pieces of the offense that can help us win. I think we're valuing the right things on the defensive end and holding each other accountable to the areas that we want to thrive on."
Shaena Brew, Monique Mitchell and Corinne Reed are the three returners who saw the most minutes last season. The trio, who were all freshmen, accounted for roughly 35% of Akron's scoring and started in a combined 77 games.
Brew was second on the team in scoring while shooting 45.2% from the field and averaging 3.9 assists per game, helping her earn a spot on the All-MAC Freshman Team.
Mitchell showed her ability to score with three 20-point games on the year, including 21 in her collegiate debut against South Alabama, and led the squad in blocks. Reed was second behind Brew in assists and fourth in rebounding as well.
The Zips also return three additional players in Kam'Ren Rhodes, Teniesha Clarke and Kailee Bransford. Rhodes started all 12 games she played in two seasons ago after transferring in from Illinois, while Clarke started in a combined 28 games her first two years before battling injuries. Bransford did not play in a single game as a freshman after sustaining an injury, but Gensler sees her as a player who might "fly under the radar" after a strong camp.
Gensler has also been satisfied with how the newcomers have played throughout the preseason, believing they have added an element of defense to the team after allowing a MAC-worst 77.7 points per game in 2025-26. They have also come from winning programs, as Gensler pointed out that the Division I transfers have accumulated for about 150 combined wins at their previous institutions from last season.
"I think what we learned in our last season is that you still need a really tough defensive component," Gensler said. "The players that we brought in offer some strong versatility on the defensive side, and that allows us to be a better overall team. They understand the winning component, but they bring a level of toughness to the team that allows us to take some strides defensively. We have to be able to defend and rebound first, and I think we addressed that."
Gensler is hoping Macey Fegan can be a catalyst for establishing that tenacity. The senior transfer from Cleveland State was voted a team captain along with Rhodes after starting in 69 games with the Vikings over the past two seasons.
"She comes in with a lot of veteran experience, is a winner and plays about as hard as anyone I've ever coached," Gensler said during MAC Media Day. "She's an unbelievable leader in who she attracts to maintain that work ethic and competitive stamina."
Tyla Heard is another newcomer Gensler is expecting to be a key contributor. The junior is transferring in from Oklahoma State after beginning her career at Oral Roberts. Despite limited production in 50 career games, Gensler believes she can take a huge step forward with the Zips.
"She's a strong straw that stirs the drink for us at the moment," Gensler said. "It's been really good with how she's impacted the game and how humble she is. It might not be with staggering scoring numbers, but it's making the right play and those IQ pieces and glue that have been really important to us."
Jessie Joaquim is also transferring in from New Mexico, where she started in 14 games with the Lobos. The Mozambique native also played two seasons at Cochise College in Arizona averaging 6.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Gensler also brought in two freshmen in Kaylah Thornton and Kaylee King. Thornton led Fairmont High School outside Dayton to an OHSAA Division I state title and undefeated season as a senior while becoming the school's all-time leading scorer.
"[Thornton] was able to change the dynamic of games just with her energy and defense," Gensler said. "We've seen that in the preseason a ton with her and being able to take coaching and apply it right away. She absorbs things very quickly and has a big impact certainly with her defense, and that transitions into some explosiveness offensively."
The Zips will have some early season tests, with three games against AP Preseason Top 25 opponents before beginning their MAC schedule on January 2. Akron is also seeking their first winning season and MAC Tournament appearance in Gensler's tenure as head coach. He knows the steps that it will take in order to reach those heights, leaving him with confidence as a new season begins.
"It starts with defense and rebounding," Gensler said. "You have to be able to defend at a high level and make teams take tough, contested shots while also taking care of the ball on the offensive end. This group really understands that and has been able to do those things in the preseason so far.
Those are going to be some little things to be efficient towards winning."
ZIPS BEGIN SEASON AGAINST SOUTH ALABAMA
The Zips will open their 2026-27 campaign against South Alabama as part of the MAC-Sun Belt Conference Challenge on Monday, November 2 at 6 p.m. from James A. Rhodes Arena.
Both teams squared off against each other last season in their first ever meeting, with the Jaguars winning 87-63 in Mobile, Ala.
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After finishing the 2025-26 campaign with a 7-24 record (4-14 in the MAC), Gensler and his staff brought in nine new players — seven of which are transfers — and retained three core players from last season that saw significant minutes.
Throughout the preseason, the fourth-year head coach has liked what he has seen from the group, particularly in the way the team has come together on the defensive end of the floor.
"I've felt really good about how we've gelled together so far," Gensler said. "We're sharing the ball really well and are taking some ownership pieces of the offense that can help us win. I think we're valuing the right things on the defensive end and holding each other accountable to the areas that we want to thrive on."
Shaena Brew, Monique Mitchell and Corinne Reed are the three returners who saw the most minutes last season. The trio, who were all freshmen, accounted for roughly 35% of Akron's scoring and started in a combined 77 games.
Brew was second on the team in scoring while shooting 45.2% from the field and averaging 3.9 assists per game, helping her earn a spot on the All-MAC Freshman Team.
Mitchell showed her ability to score with three 20-point games on the year, including 21 in her collegiate debut against South Alabama, and led the squad in blocks. Reed was second behind Brew in assists and fourth in rebounding as well.
The Zips also return three additional players in Kam'Ren Rhodes, Teniesha Clarke and Kailee Bransford. Rhodes started all 12 games she played in two seasons ago after transferring in from Illinois, while Clarke started in a combined 28 games her first two years before battling injuries. Bransford did not play in a single game as a freshman after sustaining an injury, but Gensler sees her as a player who might "fly under the radar" after a strong camp.
Gensler has also been satisfied with how the newcomers have played throughout the preseason, believing they have added an element of defense to the team after allowing a MAC-worst 77.7 points per game in 2025-26. They have also come from winning programs, as Gensler pointed out that the Division I transfers have accumulated for about 150 combined wins at their previous institutions from last season.
"I think what we learned in our last season is that you still need a really tough defensive component," Gensler said. "The players that we brought in offer some strong versatility on the defensive side, and that allows us to be a better overall team. They understand the winning component, but they bring a level of toughness to the team that allows us to take some strides defensively. We have to be able to defend and rebound first, and I think we addressed that."
Gensler is hoping Macey Fegan can be a catalyst for establishing that tenacity. The senior transfer from Cleveland State was voted a team captain along with Rhodes after starting in 69 games with the Vikings over the past two seasons.
"She comes in with a lot of veteran experience, is a winner and plays about as hard as anyone I've ever coached," Gensler said during MAC Media Day. "She's an unbelievable leader in who she attracts to maintain that work ethic and competitive stamina."
Tyla Heard is another newcomer Gensler is expecting to be a key contributor. The junior is transferring in from Oklahoma State after beginning her career at Oral Roberts. Despite limited production in 50 career games, Gensler believes she can take a huge step forward with the Zips.
"She's a strong straw that stirs the drink for us at the moment," Gensler said. "It's been really good with how she's impacted the game and how humble she is. It might not be with staggering scoring numbers, but it's making the right play and those IQ pieces and glue that have been really important to us."
Jessie Joaquim is also transferring in from New Mexico, where she started in 14 games with the Lobos. The Mozambique native also played two seasons at Cochise College in Arizona averaging 6.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game.
Gensler also brought in two freshmen in Kaylah Thornton and Kaylee King. Thornton led Fairmont High School outside Dayton to an OHSAA Division I state title and undefeated season as a senior while becoming the school's all-time leading scorer.
"[Thornton] was able to change the dynamic of games just with her energy and defense," Gensler said. "We've seen that in the preseason a ton with her and being able to take coaching and apply it right away. She absorbs things very quickly and has a big impact certainly with her defense, and that transitions into some explosiveness offensively."
The Zips will have some early season tests, with three games against AP Preseason Top 25 opponents before beginning their MAC schedule on January 2. Akron is also seeking their first winning season and MAC Tournament appearance in Gensler's tenure as head coach. He knows the steps that it will take in order to reach those heights, leaving him with confidence as a new season begins.
"It starts with defense and rebounding," Gensler said. "You have to be able to defend at a high level and make teams take tough, contested shots while also taking care of the ball on the offensive end. This group really understands that and has been able to do those things in the preseason so far.
Those are going to be some little things to be efficient towards winning."
ZIPS BEGIN SEASON AGAINST SOUTH ALABAMA
The Zips will open their 2026-27 campaign against South Alabama as part of the MAC-Sun Belt Conference Challenge on Monday, November 2 at 6 p.m. from James A. Rhodes Arena.
Both teams squared off against each other last season in their first ever meeting, with the Jaguars winning 87-63 in Mobile, Ala.
FOLLOW ALONG
Watch (ESPN+)
Stats
Tickets
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's BasketballWednesday, April 22
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Wednesday, April 22
Wednesday, April 22
