15 club volleyball tryout tips from a Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee and elite club coach who's helped hundreds of athletes navigate tryouts successfully.15 club volleyball tryout tips from a Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee and elite club coach who's helped hundreds of athletes navigate tryouts successfully.

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.


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.

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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 $7.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.

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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
  • 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)

  • Four-time All-Pac-10 team (2005–08)
  • 2008 – Volleyball Magazine National co-Player of the Year
  • 2008 – Honda Award nominee

Foluke Akinradewo
Olympic Player


Akinradewo has appeared in two Olympic tournaments wearing the American red white and blue jersey.

  • 2016 Olympic Games (Bronze Medal)
  • Named to 2016 Olympic Games Dream Team as one of the best middle blockers in the Olympic Games
  • 2012 Olympic Games (Silver Medal)
  • Second-best blocker in 2012 Olympics with 0.89 per set and converted 61.2 percent of attacks into points (.495 hitting efficiency)
  • Ranked third Best Blocker at the 2011 FIVB World Cup

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:

  • Japan - TAB Queenseis  
  • Russia - Dinamo Krasnodar  
  • 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

Do You Follow Me on Pinterest?

Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis. Sign up now!Private or semiprivate volleyball indoor/sand lessons are an excellent way for young Las Vegas high school volleyball players to quickly improve their individual skills through a private or semi-private coaching experience. These lessons are conducted by former pro volleyball player, former USA Volleyball High Performance instructor and Evaluator and Tstreet Vegas 18s head Coach April Chapple on a weekly basis. Sign up now!


Follow me on Pinterest Volleybragswag to improve your game even faster!

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.

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.

Ebook_How_to_Clean_Up_Your_Passing_and_Get_More_-linkedin-profile-cover-1.jpeg

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 $7.99 and start building the passing confidence that keeps you on the court—and gets you seen by college coaches.


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From Lady Vol to Legend: Coach April Produces Powerful Passionate Players...is that you?

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! In It To Win It Tournament, May 2-4, 2025 Tournament A-1 Vegas Volleyball Club Gold Medalists, 18s Premier Division

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS!

A-1 Vegas Volley VBC

    In It To Win It      Tournament   

May 2 - 4, 2025 Tournament

Gold Medalists

18s Premier Division



Making A-1 Vegas Volleyball history as the very first TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! In the In It To Win It Tournament, May 2-4, 2025 Tournament, A-1 Vegas Volleyball Club Gold Medalists, 18s Premier DivisionMaking A-1 Vegas Volleyball history as the very first TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! In the In It To Win It Tournament, May 2-4, 2025 Tournament, A-1 Vegas Volleyball Club Gold Medalists, 18s Premier Division




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Thanks for stopping by. Hope you learned something today that will help you reach your volleyball goals.

Be sure to subscribe to my email newsletter so you can learn more each week!

Stay strong! Stay motivated!

-Coach April


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Vegas Volleyball's Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Moms with Peace Love Volleyball Shirts

In the city that never sleeps, my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are your 24/7 support system. Las Vegas pulses with endless energy, and as a volleyball mom, you're the powerhouse behind your player's non-stop journey.In the city that never sleeps, my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are your 24/7 support system.
More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.More than just clothing, my shirts are a tribute to the tireless spirit of Vegas volleyball moms.
With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.With motivational messages and vibrant designs, they mirror the dynamic energy of our city while celebrating your constant presence in your player's volleyball adventure.
In a town that's always on, you're the ever-present force driving your player's success.In a town that's always on, you're the ever-present force driving your player's success.

Ready to energize your volleyball mom journey?

Subscribe to my 'Producing Powerful Passionate Peaceful Players' email list above on ImproveYourVolley.com.

You'll receive energy-boosting tips, exclusive insights from me,        Coach April Chapple on maintaining momentum in volleyball.

Let's power up the Vegas volleyball scene together!


Struggling with the unique demands of being a volleyball mom in the desert? My Peace Love Volleyball shirts offer both comfort and inspiration for the challenges you face. From dealing with intense heat during outdoor practices to long drives across the valley for tournaments, Vegas volleyball moms face obstacles that others might not understand.Dear Vegas Volleyball Mom, I know that balancing Vegas life with volleyball commitments can feel like walking a tightrope, but my Peace Love Volleyball mom shirts are here to support you every step of the way.
As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.As the Vegas volleyball scene grows, so does the pressure on players and moms alike. My Peace Love Volleyball shirts are here to remind you of your inner peace amidst the chaos.
In a city known for its high energy, finding moments of calm can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of volleyball life.In a city known for its high energy, finding moments of calm can be challenging, especially when juggling the demands of volleyball life.
My volleyball mom shirts aren't just about looking good - they're about feeling good too.My volleyball mom shirts aren't just about looking good - they're about feeling good too.
With messages that promote mindfulness and positivity, they serve as a wearable reminder to breathe, center yourself, and approach each volleyball challenge with a peaceful mindset.With messages that promote mindfulness and positivity, they serve as a wearable reminder to breathe, center yourself, and approach each volleyball challenge with a peaceful mindset.
In the fast-paced world of Vegas volleyball, these moments of zen can make all the difference.In the fast-paced world of Vegas volleyball, these moments of zen can make all the difference.

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