Lesli Akeo

Classroom

Akeo carries a 3.72 cumulative GPA. She is a two-time MAAC All-Academic and MAAC Honor Roll selection, a 3-time Dean’s List and 1-time President’s List selection. She was selected to attend NCAA Career in Sports Forum (summer 2012). She is a Leo Dufort Student Athlete of the Month (October 2011), and one of top students in Siena’s school of business and featured on the cover of that school’s quarterly publication. Akeo is a three-year participant in Siena’s SAINTS Supporting SAINTS tutoring program where she helps other Siena student athletes achieve at the highest possible level

Character

Akeo is a team captain and leader in every way. She has impeccable, selfless character and great values. She is a leader on campus as the SAAC member and co-founder of the College’s Polynesian Culture Club. According to head coach Garvey Pierre: “Lesli is the top defensive player in the league. She gives us a chance in every match, because she never gives up and keeps rallies alive. She has taken a great leadership role, and helps our younger players understand what it takes to win. She is a pleasure to coach.”

Community

Akeo is a very active member of the community both in her native Hawaii and in New York’s Capital Region. This past May she went on a service mission to Bethel, Alaska where she volunteered her time with senior citizens and high school students, and assisted in clean-up efforts in the community. She has volunteered for the Pilikoko Baseball Clinic/Food Drive the past five years, helping organize the event which brings professional baseball players to Hawaii for a good cause. Akeo has also served as a volunteer for the Piko Volleyball Team, instructing youth on the fundamentals of the game and the virtues of a healthy lifestyle. Akeo has made a concerted effort to help keep Hawaii beautiful while celebrating its culture. She plays a key role in the annual King Kamehameha Celebration annually, and also helps in the farming and irrigation of local taro patches, and the clean-up and restoration of a large local fishing pond that services the community. Akeo volunteers during the school year in Albany, working with Junior Achievement - a non profit organization that brings the real world to students through hands-on curriculum.

Competition

Akeo was the 2011 MAAC Sports co-Defensive Player of the Year. She is already the school’s all-time dig leader (1,497), smashing the record in just three seasons. She is on pace to join the prestigious 2,000-dig club. Akeo ranked 6th nationally in digs per set (as of 9/25) with 5.78. She ranked 49th nationally in 2011 (5.01 digs/set) and 42nd nationally in 2010 (5.04).