Temple University Athletics
Akeo Joins Volleyball Staff as Assistant Coach
8.31.21 | Women's Volleyball
PHILADELPHIA -- Bringing years of playing and coaching experience, Lesli Akeo joins the Temple Volleyball coaching staff for the 2021 season, as announced by head coach Bakeer Ganesharatnam.
"We are very fortunate to have Lesli joining us as an assistant coach," said Ganesharatnam. "She comes from a huge volleyball family, with a number of her siblings and cousins playing at a very high level. She has a great volleyball pedigree and brings an energetic and knowledgeable style of coaching. She's eager to learn and I think her experience will be very beneficial to our team."
"I'm humbled and grateful to be welcomed into the Temple ohana by Coach Ganesharatnam and his team," said Akeo. "I look forward to learning and growing with them this season."
Akeo had a hand in coaching both the 18s and 14s for the Na Keiki Mauloa Volleyball Club, developing practice plans and workouts as well as scouting opponents.
She served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama High School, for six seasons, helping the team to no lower than a runner-up finish at the Hawaii State Championships, including winning titles in 2013, 2015, and 2017. There, she trained two Hawaii Gatorade State Player of the Years in Alohi Robins 2014 and Lexis Akeo 2018.
Prior to her stop at the high school level, Akeo coached at numerous clubs in Hawaii. With the Piko Volleyball Club, she led her 13s team to a first place finish at the Hawaii Region Qualifier, as well as a top finish at the 2014 Pacific Northwest Qualifier.Â
Akeo was a legendary player for Siena College, being named one of the youngest inductees to the Siena Hall of Fame in 2018. She's the school's all-time leader in both digs (2,285) and digs per set (5.12), racking up numerous awards. She was the 2013 Siena College Female Student-Athlete of the Year, and was also both the Siena and MAAC Nominees for NCAA Woman of the Year.
As a three-year captain for Siena, she led her team to a pair of runner-up MAAC Championship finishes. She was the 2012 MAAC Libero of the Year, the 2011 MAAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, a MAAC first-team All-Conference selection, a two-time MAAC All-Tournament selection, and a three-time MAAC All-Academic team honoree.
Prior to her storied collegiate career, Akeo led her high school team to a pair of Hawaii Division I State Championships.
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"We are very fortunate to have Lesli joining us as an assistant coach," said Ganesharatnam. "She comes from a huge volleyball family, with a number of her siblings and cousins playing at a very high level. She has a great volleyball pedigree and brings an energetic and knowledgeable style of coaching. She's eager to learn and I think her experience will be very beneficial to our team."
"I'm humbled and grateful to be welcomed into the Temple ohana by Coach Ganesharatnam and his team," said Akeo. "I look forward to learning and growing with them this season."
Akeo had a hand in coaching both the 18s and 14s for the Na Keiki Mauloa Volleyball Club, developing practice plans and workouts as well as scouting opponents.
She served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama High School, for six seasons, helping the team to no lower than a runner-up finish at the Hawaii State Championships, including winning titles in 2013, 2015, and 2017. There, she trained two Hawaii Gatorade State Player of the Years in Alohi Robins 2014 and Lexis Akeo 2018.
Prior to her stop at the high school level, Akeo coached at numerous clubs in Hawaii. With the Piko Volleyball Club, she led her 13s team to a first place finish at the Hawaii Region Qualifier, as well as a top finish at the 2014 Pacific Northwest Qualifier.Â
Akeo was a legendary player for Siena College, being named one of the youngest inductees to the Siena Hall of Fame in 2018. She's the school's all-time leader in both digs (2,285) and digs per set (5.12), racking up numerous awards. She was the 2013 Siena College Female Student-Athlete of the Year, and was also both the Siena and MAAC Nominees for NCAA Woman of the Year.
As a three-year captain for Siena, she led her team to a pair of runner-up MAAC Championship finishes. She was the 2012 MAAC Libero of the Year, the 2011 MAAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, a MAAC first-team All-Conference selection, a two-time MAAC All-Tournament selection, and a three-time MAAC All-Academic team honoree.
Prior to her storied collegiate career, Akeo led her high school team to a pair of Hawaii Division I State Championships.
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