Tehani-Lyn Akana-Charles '15 Recruiting Profile

Aloha,
Volleyball has been apart of my life since I was baby. From watching my mother play to helping my grandmother with tournaments, I've learned that volleyball is not always just about who can hit the ball the hardest or who can jump the highest, but who can play the smartest. I feel that that is where I will stand out from the rest. I might not be the fastest or the hardest hitter but I can promise you I am a smart hitter. I enjoy being able to read a hitter and making sure I stand a great post to help my middle hitter.
       I'm also a team player that likes to work together to help my team achieve success. I enjoy working with others and pushing one another to not only be better players but better people as well. I'm glad that I've been able to meet new people and grow up with some of my teammates and grow together. I consider my teammates not only friends but "Ohana" as well.
      Coming from a small island, I've learned values and lessons that you can't find anywhere else. Those lessons I have been able to use through volleyball. Some lessons I've been taught was to always perservere and fight till the end. That has molded me to never give up, no matter the score. My club coach always tell us that, "the volleyball court is six inches." Meaning that at the end of the day, it is a mental game and in order to keep pushing physically, you have to keep pushing yourself mentally.
      Playing volleyball in Hawaii has taught me to have "heart" and determination to never give up. With my determination and my "smarts," this island girl is ready to show the world what I'm capable of.
Mahalo.