Taylor Akason '16 Recruiting Profile

My goal is to play volleyball at the highest level of Division 1 while attending a university with a strong academic reputation beginning in the fall of 2016.  I challenge myself daily to make progress towards achieving these goals in all aspects of my life.  

I know what it is like to compete and win against the very best volleyball players.  My team, Invasion 17-1 Black, is unbeaten in qualifier play and has won two 17 Open qualifiers (MEQ and Show ME).  I also have the honoring of playing with Audrey Fitzmorris, Jenna Gray and Lexi Hart, who were all named to Prep Volleyball's list of the Top 50 recruits in the nation and a 4th teammate (Elle Sandbothe) who has committed to play for Kansas State.  Having teammates of this talent has helped me grow into the player I am today and it continues to help me improve.  Hitting against 3 excellent blockers (Audrey, Lexi and Elle) in practice has taught me how to be precise and read the block to place the ball in the right place to score.  I also thrive on blocking those 3 excellent but different hitters.  

My career goal is to be a physician so challenging myself academically is very important to me.  I am fortunate to be able to take advantage of the strong academic opportunities the Lee's Summit School District provides.  I am currently enrolled in two International Baccalaureate classes, two college level science classes and two college prep classes. 

I have also experienced success outside of the classroom and volleyball by being a successful model, who has signed contracts with agencies in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami.  I have grown extensively as a young woman because of modeling.  Modeling has provided me the confidence to be successful in all that I do because there isn’t much that is more challenging than living away from your parents or being interviewed by the most successful modeling agencies in the world.   

I am a driven student athlete, who has learned the value of hard work as well as how to balance all of it to be successful.  I will be a leader at your university and volleyball program.