Keonilei Akana, Nebraska volleyball defensive specialist

December 3, 2024

Keonilei Akana is a University of Nebraska volleyball player from Hauula, Hawaii. She’s a defensive and serving specialist, often times leading the team in aces. Keep reading to get an overview on her personal life such as Keonilei Akana’s boyfriend, parents, height, etc. 

Birthplace and Origin

Born on September 19, 2001, in Hauula, Hawaii. Keonilei Akana named a first-team Under All-American in 2020, calls Hauula, Hawaii her hometown. She is one of the most decorated volleyball players to come out of the Hawaiian area earning the Gatorade player of the year as a junior and a senior. She was the no. 3 overall prospect by PrepVolleyball.com in the class of 2018 and the no. 1 defensive specialist in the class.

Keonilei Akana graduated from Kamehameha Kapalama High School in Huula, Hawaii. A private senior high school. In Hauula, Hawaii with a yearly cost of $10,694!

Kamehameha's Keonilei Akana

Keonilei Akana Parents and Family

Keonilei comes from an athletic family. Keonilei mother, Josely, is not known to play sports. Keonilei’s dad, Brandyn played basketball for BYU-Hawaii Keonilei has 2 siblings, Her sister Braelyn is a sophomore playing volleyball for Hawaii. Her brother, Tausili plays football for Wasatch High School in Heber, Utah.

Keonilei Akana’s Early Beginnings and High school career

Keonilei’s life is a story of perseverance and determination. Diagnosed with two brain tumors in high school, she fought back to play volleyball at the next level. Now she’s begining her sophomore year at Nebraska thanks to her hard work.

Keonilei’s story is one of triumph and courage. Although, despite her surgeries and chemotherapy, she still managed to be an All-State volleyball player in high school, she majors in psychology at Nebraska University.

She always had a passion for volleyball, but she wasn’t sure where it would take her. Then, after her first surgery, she was scared of how it might affect her ability to play the sport. Her story is remarkable and inspirational, just like the spirit that empowers her to succeed as an athlete. Her high school volleyball career was put on hold for two years when she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Surgery, followed by rehab, helped her regain strength and energy to play again. Keonilei’s sister, Braelyn, helped her through the hard times and encouraged her when she needed it. 

Keonilei Age

Keonilei is 20 years old right now. Her birthday is September 19th, 2001

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Keonilei Akana Height

Keonilei is 5’9”

College Major

Keonilei majors in psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Keonilei’s Social Media Accounts

Keonilei’s Instagram account it: @kayleiakana
Keonilei ‘s Twitter account is: @kayleiakana

Keonilei Akana Boyfriend

Keonilei is dating Noa Pola-gates, a defensive back playing for the Husker football team.

Internet Searches

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Honors & Awards

• All-Big Ten Freshman Team (2019)
• Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Sept. 3, 2019)
• Husker Invitational All-Tournament Team (2019)
• Academic All-Big Ten (2020)
• Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award (2019-20)
• Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (Fall 2019, 2020; Spring 2020, 2021)
• Tom Osborne Citizenship Team (2021)

Keonilei Akana popularity trend

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