Zips Rachel Tecca named MAC Player of the Year - 19 Action News|Cleveland, OH|News, Weather, Sports

University of Akron redshirt junior forward Rachel Tecca has been named the 2012-13 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year, the conference office announced Tuesday morning.

Tecca is the first MAC Player of the Year in Akron women's basketball history, highlighting a record-breaking season for the Zips. The award was voted on by the league's head coaches, sports information directors and members of the media.

"Rachel is a very special player and this award is indicative of the hard work and dedication that got her to this point," said head coach Jodi Kest. "This honor is extremely well-deserved, and I am very proud of everything she has accomplished this season in pushing herself and our program to the next level."

The Tallmadge, Ohio, native returned from an ACL injury suffered 10 games into last season to lead the MAC in scoring at 19.4 points per game. She reached double figures in all 29 games this year, including 16 20-plus point performances and six double-doubles. She is currently Akron's fourth all-time leading scorer with 1,542 career points, and is 18 points away from the program's single season record.

Tecca currently ranks 12th in the nation in field goal percentage, and is also one of the MAC's top five rebounders. She was named MAC East Player of the Week four times during the regular season for her efforts. Her most impressive statistic may be that she only averages 25 minutes per game, so she achieves these numbers in less time on the court than other top players around the league.

The forward's success this season has not been limited to the basketball court. Last month Tecca was named to the Capital One Academic All-America® Second Team, making her the first Academic All-American in Akron women's basketball history. She carried a 3.89 GPA through her undergraduate career, and graduated with a bachelor's degree in marketing management prior to the Zips' game against Cincinnati on Dec. 15, 2012. She began working toward her MBA in January of this year.

Tecca has led Akron to its best season in school history, tearing down numerous records along the way. The Zips have won a record 21 games, and have established themselves as not only the highest scoring team in the MAC, but among all mid-majors in the country. UA was crowned MAC East Division champions for the first time since joining the league in 1992, collecting several memorable victories en route to its best conference record at 12-4.

The MAC also announced Toledo's Tricia Cullop as Coach of the Year and Andola Dortch as Defensive Player of the Year, while Ball State's Nathalie Fontaine and Shanee' Jackson earned Freshman and Sixth Player of the Year, respectively.

For the fourth time in as many seasons, Tecca and the Zips return to Cleveland for the MAC Tournament this week. Akron, the No. 3 seed, will play the winner of Miami (Ohio) and Buffalo in the third round on Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.