'Her heart is immeasurable': Kaia Woods provides a spark for Akron women's basketball

Junior Kaia Woods is never the tallest player on the court for the University of Akron women's basketball team.

At 5-foot-3, Woods is competing against women who range from an inch or two taller than her to a foot taller than her.

Woods isn't bothered by it, and neither is Akron coach Ryan Gensler.

"Her heart is immeasurable and plays well above that as you saw with the multiple charges [she took], the speediness to get tips and steals and positionally being a pest on the ball, which she has done all season really well," Gensler said Saturday afternoon after Kent State won 69-60 at Rhodes Arena.

Akron (6-10, 1-5) had its chances against the Golden Flashes (11-5, 5-1), but was unable to capitalize.

Woods displayed her usual athleticism, grit and toughness to total 14 points, three steals, three rebounds and two assists in 31 minutes.

"You talk about leading with heart and the growth that she has been able to match from a basketball skill set to allow that heart to be channeled in the right direction on the court has been astronomical," Gensler said. "That has been ongoing through the season. It is never going to be perfect, but there are more of those great plays within that we are looking for than ever before.

"As a good player and a mature player does, she takes to heart the ones that didn't go in her favor or the ones that she wants to learn, whether that's film with a coach, film with me or skill work on the court. She is willing to try and apply, and I think that is always an encouraging sign from anyone on the team."

Akron was ahead 17-10 at the end of the first quarter, but Kent State rallied to lead 29-26 at halftime and 48-43 through three quarters.

The Zips cut their deficit to 55-53 in the fourth quarter with two 3-pointers by 6-2 sophomore Lanae Riley, two free throws by Woods and a layup by 5-9 freshman Teniesha Clarke, but the Flashes stretched the lead back out.

"That was another highly contested MAC game with a team that's atop our league, towards the top," Gensler said. "I thought our players had an incredible 48 hours of preparation and leaning on the things that will lead to success. Despite this outcome, that process has been a clean process as far as the preparation and the attention to detail in practice.

"As far as the steps that we are taking to get over the hump, I feel like we are taking them. We have be able to capitalize for longer in a game."

Flashes 6-1 junior Jenna Batsch, 6-0 senior Katie Shumate, 5-7 sophomore Corynne Hauser, 5-8 senior Abby Ogle and 6-3 junior Bridget Dunn gave the Zips fits.

Batsch had 18 points, five steals and two assists. Shumate totaled 14 points, three rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals. Hauser contributed 12 points and four assists.

"I am real competitive and I just want to win," Woods said. "I enjoy having fun. Basketball is life, but it is not all that life has to offer. I like to find joy in it and everything. I like to be that joyous, energized person that can bring energy to my teammates positively.

"Of course, I have my flaws and I have my days just like anybody else, but really that winning mentality and going out to try and bring the best out of all of my teammates is what I bring to the table."

Reagan Bass, a 6-1 junior, paced Akron with 15 points and six rebounds. Riley finished with four 3-pointers, 14 points and four rebounds.

"Reagan saw double and triple teams, and got to 15," Gensler said. "Kai was able to get up court, saw creases and got to the basket. As she takes off in the air, they are not going to be soft landings. That is a credit to her. It was a challenge to our entire team to get to the free-throw line more. ... Her going 4 of 5 from the line is something we like and want to continue.

"Lanae Riley, we know what she is capable of. She has had some good complementary basketball at the defensive end and the offensive end. We will continue to try to get her in spots around the hoop where she is good. She certainly shot it well from the perimeter today, and that is a huge asset for us."

The Zips hits the road for games at Western Michigan on Wednesday and Northern Illinois on Saturday.

"You play basketball to compete and to win," Woods said. "... They made more plays. We had controllables that we didn't control in our favor every once in a while. Credit to the [Akron men's basketball] guys. I watched a little bit of the game that they had [Friday night at Kent State]. That was a really good [77-71] win. Wish we could have pulled this out."

Michael Beaven can be reached at mbeaven@thebeaconjournal and is on Twitter at @MBeavenABJ.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Kaia Woods provides a spark for Akron Zips women's basketball team