:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/30115819/20140315_jla_bk4_068.0.jpg)
Who? The Zips of Akron.
What? Zip is derived from Zipper. The kangaroo mascot was not initially popular.
Where? Akron, Ohio, once the rubber capital of the world.
When? March 15th, in Cleveland, Ohio.
Why? They won the Mid-American conference tournament.
How? Rachel Tecca did Rachel Tecca things, with 30 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists to lead Akron over Ball State, 79-68. Carly Young had a big game off the bench with 15 points and five rebounds.
Surprise? Predicted to finish first in the conference's East division, they ended up second in the East.
RPI: 97
SOS: 174
Record: 23-9 (14-4 MAC)
Good wins: Central Michigan in the MAC semifinals.
Bad losses: UC Davis in Cal Poly's tournament.
Who's driving this thing? Jodi Kest, since 2006. Her last job was at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, when they were independent.
Extra, Extra! The Beacon Journal.
The Zips pack a powerful 1-2 punch in the senior duo of guard Hanna Luburgh and forward Rachel Tecca. Luburgh leads Akron with 23.2 points, adding 7.0 rebounds. Tecca averages 22.0 points and a team-high 9.5 rebounds. Senior point guard Kacie Cassell does her job getting her teammates the ball, with 6.3 assists per game. But Luburgh and Tecca are the only Zips to average more than nine points per game.