Rochester, Mich. - The Women's Basketball season is nearly underway, as the Golden Grizzlies head to Akron for their first official game of the new season.

After a 2022-23 season that to many was a mixed bag of high and low points, the optimism is through the roof for the Golden Grizzlies 2023-24 season. 

The head of the snake for Oakland will be sophomore guard Brooke Quarles-Daniels. After a sensational freshman season where she averaged 12.1 points, nearly three assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game, the #HLWBB Preseason Poll All-League First Team member leads the charge headed into the season. Returning along with Quarles-Daniels is junior guard Kennedie Montue who adds a veteran presence to the backcourt. Last season Montue averaged seven points per game, and started in 11 of her 30 games played.

The guard rotation for Oakland is full of new faces this season, welcoming freshmen Naveyah Damon and Jasmine Dupree-Herbert. In addition, Oakland added backcourt depth via the transfer portal this offseason with junior Madison Royal-Davis, graduate student Markyia McCormick, and sophomore Maddy Skorupski.

Royal-Davis played her two previous seasons at Butler and brings a fast-paced, intense defensive game which the Golden Grizzlies would love to pair with Quarles-Daniels, who also loves to get downhill. McCormick comes to Oakland after a pair of campaigns at Detroit Mercy where she averaged nearly 10 points per game in her sophomore year, including a 21 point outburst against her new Oakland team. Skroupski lands in Rochester after a one-season stint in East Lansing with Michigan State, bringing the ability to space the floor and put the ball in the bucket, something Oakland is happy to have.

Oakland's Front court also comes into the season as good and as deep as it's ever been. Oakland was the fifth best rebounding team in the Horizon League last season, grabbing 1,132 rebounds total (37.7 RPG). They were the number one offensive rebounding team, pulling down 14.7 offensive boards per game.

Senior forward Alexis Johnson looks to continue her dominance down low after averaging 11 points and a team-high 5.5 rebounds per game in 25 starts last season. Joining her is fellow senior Linda Van Schiak who averaged 8.6 points and contributed 11 double-digit point performances last season. Van Schaik brings elite floor spacing to the Golden Grizzlies lineup. The Netherlands native knocked down multiple threes 11 times in 2022-23 while hitting a team-high 42 triples. graduate transfer Kianni Westbrook gives the Golden Grizzlies another certified big. Westbrook towers at six foot three inches, and adds athleticism and strength that will only bolster the Oakland rebound and shot-blocking totals.

In the upcoming matchup Oakland has the historical advantage, boasting a 3-1 all-time record against the Zips. Their last matchup came on Nov. 7, 2022 and resulted in a 74-67 Oakland victory. In that game Montue led Oakland with 21 points and five rebounds in the early season matchup.

SCOUTING THE ZIPS

Akron finished last year with a 17-13 record (8-10 MAC), placing fifth in MAC standings before losing in the MAC Championship Tournament quarterfinals to Ball State.

The Zipe emerged victorious from their only exhibition game played, beating Walsh 77-51. In their exhibition junior guard Zakia Rasheed and junior forward Reagan Bass combined for 40 points in the win.

Oakland and Akron will match up on Monday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. in the James A. Rhodes Arena.

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