The 2016-2017 season was a historic one for the Akron Zips women’s basketball team, as they captured their first-ever MAC championship and earned a trip to the NCAA tournament. Under the leadership of head coach Jodi Kest, the Zips finished the regular season with a 22-9 overall record and a 12-6 record in MAC play.

The Zips’ success was built on a strong defense and a balanced offensive attack. Junior guard Hannah Plybon was a standout player, leading the team in scoring with 14.2 points per game and earning First Team All-MAC honors. Senior forward Anita Brown was also a key contributor, averaging 13.3 points and 7.4 rebounds per game and earning Second Team All-MAC honors.

In the MAC tournament, the Zips defeated Toledo in the quarterfinals and Western Michigan in the semifinals to advance to the championship game against Northern Illinois. In a closely contested game, the Zips emerged victorious, winning 79-68 to capture the conference title. Plybon was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, scoring a game-high 30 points in the championship game.

As a result of their MAC championship, the Zips received an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, where they faced the Purdue Boilermakers in the first round. Despite a strong effort, the Zips were ultimately defeated by Purdue, ending their historic season.

The 2016-2017 Akron Zips women’s basketball team set a new standard of excellence for the program and helped to raise the profile of women’s sports at the university. They would go on to win another MAC championship in 2020, and continue to be a competitive team in the conference.