Kamalani Akeo

Classroom

Off the court, Kamalani Akeo excels academically. A marketing and human resource management major, she boasts a 3.512 cumulative GPA. She has been named to the dean’s list three times, and she recorded a 3.8 in her last semester.

Character

On the court, Akeo acts as one of the Panthers’ captains. This is her second year as a captain, and she has become one of Pitt’s top leaders. This comes naturally being a setter, as she is tasked with leading the offense on the court. The senior is a true example of a top student-athlete.

Community

In addition to her busy academic and athletic schedule, Akeo spends time volunteering in and around the Pittsburgh community. She has been involved with Orange Arrow, a nonprofit whose mission is to help student-athletes aim for success of the field, as well as Project Life and Friends of Jaclyn (FOJ). Project Life is a national movement to increase the potential pool of bone marrow and tissue donors by testing and registering college students with a simple cheek swab, and Akeo volunteered at this event, which was hosted at the University of Pittsburgh. FOJ is a nonprofit that pairs children with college sports teams. The Pitt volleyball team was paired with their sibling Lili last year, whom Akeo visits from time to time.

This past summer, Akeo was a part of a team visit to the Cumberland Crossing nursing home. The team played games, sang and danced with the patients, including doing a Hula dance featuring Akeo who is from Hawaii.

Akeo also has been part of the Cathy and John Pelusi Family Life Skills program, which was created at the University of Pittsburgh to help develop and prepare student-athletes for success while in college and for life after college, and the Pitt Professional Etiquette Series, which includes dining, professional dress, business networking and communication events.

Competition

A four-year starter for Pitt, Akeo has been one of the Panthers’ top setters in program history. She has led Pitt to unprecedented success, including the program’s first ACC Championship in 2017, as well as back-to-back appearances in NCAA Tournament.

The 2016 ACC Setter of the Year, Akeo is also a two-time AVCA All-East Coast Region First Team honoree (2016, 2017), an All-ACC First Team selection (2017) and an All-ACC Second Team (2016) recipient.

During her four years at Pitt, Akeo has compiled 3,426 assists and 739 digs in 108 matches. She has also recorded 8.72 assists per set and 1.88 digs per set in those matches. Akeo currently ranks fifth in program history in assists and is on pace to finish third by season’s end.

(All stats as of nomination time.)