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- Improve Your Volleyball with Coach April
- Famous Volleyball Players
- Foluke Akinradewo
Foluke Akinradewo 2-Time Olympian And American Super Middle Blocker
Foluke Akinradewo represented the US where she has grown up to become an American super middle blocker with two Olympic medals among her numerous achievements.
Foluke Akinradewo on how she likes to be on the court....
"....I want to be remembered as someone who just made other people happy. "
Foluke born on October 5, 1987 in Canada has tri-citizenship in Canada, Nigeria and America .
Foluke chose to represent the United States where she has grown up to become an American super middle blocker with two Olympic medals among her numerous achievements.
Volleyball Player Profile Foluke Akinradewo
Foluke attended Saint Thomas Aquinas high school in Florida where she ran track, played basketball and volleyball before becoming a scholarship athlete at Stanford University.
Foluke Akinradewo
Collegiate Volleyball Accomplishments
Foluke finished her collegiate career with the best career hitting efficiency (.446) of any NCAA Division I player
- 2005 – AVCA Pacific Region Freshman of the Year
- 2005 – Pac-10 Freshman of the Year
- 2006 – Honda Award nominee
- 2008 – Pac-10 Player of the Year
- 2007 – AVCA National Player of the Year
- 2007 – Pac-10 Player of the Year
- 2007 – Honda Award winner for volleyball
- 2007 – NCAA Stanford Regional MVP
- 2007 – Pac-10 Player of the Week (Oct. 1)
- Two-time NCAA Final Four All-Tournament Team (2006, 2007)
- Four-time AVCA All-American (2005, second team; 2006–08, first team)
- Three-time Volleyball Magazine first team All-American (2006–08)
- 2008 – Honda Award nominee
Foluke Akinradewo
Olympic Player
Akinradewo has appeared in two Olympic tournaments wearing the American red white and blue jersey.
Foluke Akinradewo
USA Volleyball Player
World Championship Experience
- Averaged 2.50 points with a .412 hitting efficiency during the 2014 FIVB World Championship helping USA to their first-ever gold in any of the three major tournaments.
- Named MVP and Best Blocker of 2010 FIVB World Grand Prix as she led U.S. to gold
- 2014 FIVB World Championship Gold Medalist
- Starting middle on the U.S. Women’s Junior National Team that competed in the 2005 FIVB Women’s U20 World Championship in Turkey
USA Volleyball goes one-on-one with Foluke Akinradewo to discuss the USA Volleyball Cup, Brazil volleyball and her future after volleyball
Major International Competition
- 2018 - FIVB Volleyball Nations League (Gold)
- 2017 - USA Volleyball Cup vs. Brazil ... FIVB World Grand Champions Cup (Bronze)
- 2016 - NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament (Gold)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Silver)...Olympic Games (Bronze).
- 2015 - USA Volleyball Cup vs. China...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...FIVB World Cup (Bronze)...NORCECA Championship (Gold)
- 2014 - USA Volleyball Cup vs. Brazil...FIVB World Grand Prix (5th Preliminary Round)...FIVB World Championship (Gold)
- 2012 - FIVB World Grand Prix Preliminary Round...Olympic Games (Silver).
- 2011 - Montreux Volley Masters (Fourth)...Pan American Cup (Bronze)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...NORCECA Championship (Gold)...FIVB World Cup (Silver)
Watch highlights of Foluke Akinradewo at the 2015 FIVB World Cup
- 2010 - Pan American Cup (Bronze)...FIVB World Grand Prix (Gold)...Tour of Brazil...FIVB World Championship (Fourth).
- 2009 - FIVB World Grand Prix (9th).
- 2008 - USA Tour of China...U.S. Olympic Team Exhibition for Volleyball versus Brazil…FIVB World Grand Prix (Fourth Place).
- 2007 - Pan American Games (Bronze Medal).
- 2005 - Pan American Cup (Fourth)
Foluke Akinradewo
Professional Volleyball Player
Akinradewo has and continues to compete for several of the most important professional volleyball club teams in the world including:
- Azerbaijan - Rabita Baku
- Switzerland - Volero Zurich
- Japan - Hisamitsu Springs
MVP of 2016 Club World Championships
Five Fun Facts about Foluke
Did you know that Foluke....
1. Started playing volleyball in 2002.
2. Joined the women’s national team before starting her collegiate career
3. Her first international debut was at the 2005 Pan American Cup which occurred before she began her first year at Stanford University
4. Unlike most volleyball stars, she did not play club football as a youth
5. Has many nicknames but teammates call her "Luke"
6. Voted "Best Middle Blocker" in the 2016 Olympic Games and "Best Middle Blocker" in the 2016 Club FIVB World Championships
Foluke's Volleyball Quotes and Motivational Words
Foluke Akinradewo was asked during an interview about her first week of training…
“I was just awful, and I was sore in areas I didn’t know I could be sore. When I thought about volleyball I thought about picnics and barbecues, really chill, but it definitely wasn’t, so it was kind of a rude awakening, but I think the challenge of it kept me going.”
Foluke on representing the USA
"Anytime I get to represent the USA its such an honor because I'm doing it for the sacrifices they (her parents) made and I get to represent people who look like me, who think like me who have the same dreams as me and who have huge aspirations. Its huge responsibility but I take great pride in it. "
-Foluke Akinradewo
MVP of the 2016 FIVB Club World Championships interview
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I share alot of individual, partner and easy-to-do volleyball serving drills we do in class with my followers.
Many of these volleyball practice drills you can do at home by yourself or try at your next practice with your teammates.
If you're a B team or JV player trying to make varsity next year...your goal should be to complete 1000 reps a day of at least three of the basic skills on your own...volleyball passing, serving and setting should be at the top of the list.
Read more about the professional volleyball players in the pages below.
Mikaela Foecke 13 Reasons She's An Inspiring Female Volleyball Player
Learn more about the inspiring female volleyball hitter Mikaela Foecke, the 2015 and 2017 NCAA national champion and 2014 National Gatorade Player of the Year.
Liz Masakayan Beach Volleyball Champion, Record Setter and USA Legend
One of the most competitive players in American beach volleyball history, Liz Masakayan was voted MVP in 1992 by the WPVA players and co-winner in 1993.
Lexi Sun 13 Ways She's An Awesome Female Volleyball Player and Hitter
Volleyball prep Lexi Sun is an inspiring girls high school player, one of several amazing female athletes Improve Your Volleyball.com spotlights on this site.
Lauren Carlini, USA Volleyball Setter Tokyo 2020 & Paris 2024 Olympian
Famous volleyball player Lauren Carlini is one of three American setters trying to qualify to make the USA Volleyball Tokyo 2020 Olympic Team.
Krista Vansant: The Making of A Former Univ of Wash Volleyball Legend
Krista Vansant, who's now a coach had a stellar high school and collegiate volleyball career by the time her jersey was retired at the University of Washington.
Khalia Lanier 12 Reasons Why She's An Inspiring USC Outside Hitter
Khalia Lanier is an inspiring volleyball athlete ImproveYourVolleyball spotlights who has accomplished more in four years of high school than most players do!
Kerri Walsh Volleyball Player 3-Time Olympic Gold Medalist Profile
Kerri Walsh volleyball player, three-time Olympic gold medalist, Olympic bronze medalist, mother, businesswoman, entrepreneur and Hall of Fame inductee.
Karolyn Kirby One of The Most Famous Players America Has Produced
Before Misty May Treanor and Kerri Walsh, Karolyn Kirby held the record for winning the most event titles (67) than any other woman on the pro beach circuits.
Japanese Volleyball Player Saori Kimura An All Star Volleyball Player
Famous Japanese Volleyball Player Saori Kimura is one of Japan's All Star volleyball legends. Get to know a few facts about Saori who recently retired in 2017.
8 Girls High School Volleyball Players Who Rocked The Volleyball World
8 great girls high school volleyball players who've won important matches, starred in major tournaments and shown a ton of girl power at a young age.
Famous Volleyball Players Olympians Beach and Indoor World Champions
Get motivated by the player profiles of famous volleyball players Logan Tom, Jaqueline Carvalho, Ekaterina Gamova, Francesca Piccinini, Saori Kimura and more.
Ekaterina Gamova Famous Volleyball Player Russia's Famous Opposite
Ekaterina Gamova is one of Russia's most famous volleyball players during the 1990s and 2000s. The opposite was one of the strongest hitters in the world.
Angela Rock Indoor and Beach Olympian With The Killer Jump Serve
Of all the famous beach volleyball players in the US, Angela Rock was most well-known for having a tough jump serve that she used to score points in games.
If your athlete struggles with consistent serve receive, gets subbed out, or is overlooked for playing time—this is the fix you’ve been looking for.
Struggling with passing consistency?
I help talented passers tired of getting pulled from games because of inconsistent serve receive skills BUILD passing confidence without expensive private lessons using the same 3-step system that's helped dozens of my athletes get recruited.
Download my eBook for $17.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.
AUTHOR BIO
April Chapple is an elite private volleyball trainer, former USA National Team member, and University of Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee who has coached in Las Vegas for 15+ years, training hundreds of athletes and helping numerous players reach college volleyball, including Division I standouts.
She's also the head coach for girls and boys 18s at Squad VBC and offers coaches consulting on technical teaching and player development. Connect with April on LinkedIn or at ImproveYourVolley.com, where her eye for overlooked talent sets her apart.
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Honored At UTK Champions Weekend
Lady Vol volleyball legend and record holder Coach April Chapple a University of Tennessee, Knoxville Hall of Fame Inductee, 3-time All American, 3-time SEC Champion, SEC Tournament MVP, 2-time All SEC Team is celebrated with her 1984 SEC champion teammates at Neyland Stadium during Champions Weekend on November 1-2, 2024.
- the first First Round Draft Pick for the first American pro indoor women's league
- named to the first First Team All-Pro team for Major League Volleyball in USA volleyball history
- former USA National team member
- one of the few American women players named as an Italian Pro League D-I Championship Finalist, Italian Cup Finalist and Cup of Cups Tournament Finalist
April Chapple The first First round Draft Pick For Major League Volleyball the first American Women's Pro League Honored At Athlete Unlimited Pro Volleyball Match
Coach April's 2026-27 Private and Semi private Volleyball Training
Pre-Registration now open for 2026-27 Private and Semiprivate Training Sessions with Coach April . Get prepared for club tryouts or train with me during club season!
Email now for information on semiprivate or private indoor skills, individual or small group training volleyball classes and my Breakfast Club for College Players training for 2026-27.
Invest in your improvement while preepping for your next level and college goals while working hard and training smart.
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Complete Beginner Serving System: The Ultimate Support System for Beginners
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Click to Download Your Parent's Volleyball Serving Guide Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played) Checklist pdf:
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You'll Get:
✓Learn exactly what to look for in your player's serving form so you can provide meaningful feedback.
✓Discover how to provide encouragement that actually improves performance and mental toughness.
✓Know exactly what to ask coaches to show you're engaged and help your player develop properly.
✓Simple, effective drills that don't require a gym or expensive equipment.
✓Understand the language coaches use so you can better support your player's development.
✓Help your player develop the psychological aspects of serving that many coaches don't have time to address.
From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?
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🎯Parent's Volleyball Serving Checklist Guide
Parents! Help Your Player Develop Championship Serves (Even If You've Never Played)
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Congratulations to my seven Boys-18s Vegas Volley club players who played in two state championship finals yesterday, the 3A and 5A State champinship finals at Sunrise Mountain High School.
TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!
A-1 Vegas Volley VBC
In It To Win It Tournament
May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament
Gold Medalists
18s Premier Division
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