« Volleyball 2016

Inky Ajanaku

School
Stanford University
Position
Middle Blocker
Major
Human Biology

Classroom

Inky Ajanaku graduated with a 3.278 GPA in human biology last winter and is working towards a master’s in biology. She is a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic Honorable Mention selection. Ajanaku started working in a stem cell research lab at Stanford during the summer of 2016 and will continue to work there through the fall. She will pursue a career as a orthopedic surgeon after volleyball.

Character

“Inky Ajanaku is an extraordinary student-athlete, a tremendous leader and very charismatic. She has overcome adversity, fighting through a very serious injury last year. She has grown as a teammate and person. We are very happy that she is back on the court following many hours of rehab. She has always been an inspiration to the people around her, including her teammates. She is a wonderful leader on our team and always has been.” - Head Coach John Dunning

Community

Ajanaku participated in clinics for middle school kids, talking about college, teaching volleyball and motivating the students to stay fit and succeed in school. She has volunteered at a homeless shelter by helping landscape and garden to provide fresh produce. The team continued its relationship with the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, visiting several times to brighten sick children’s days with games and arts and crafts. Ajanaku also has volunteered at a beach cleanup day in Half Moon Bay, Calif., and has participated with the Wender Weis Foundation’s Children’s Champions event to promote fitness for at-risk kids.

Competition

Ajanaku was the 2014 Volleyball Magazine National Player of the Year, a two-time AVCA First Team All-American and a 2014 Volleyball Magazine All-America First Team pick. She also was awarded a 2012 AVCA All-America Honorable Mention selection and has been a three-time AVCA All-Region and three-time All-Pac-12 Conference selection. As a freshmen she was a member of the All-Pac-12 Freshman Team in 2012 and was a two-time Pac-12 Freshman of the Week selection. On top of that, Ajanaku has been a two-time AVCA National Player of the Week, two-time Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week selection, two-time Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week and a three-time preseason All-Pac-12 Conference pick. Her tournament accolades include being named the 2014 Ames Regional Most Outstanding Player, the 2014 Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge MVP and a 2014 USD Invitational All-Tournament Team member.