Kamalani Akeo Named an AVCA Thirty Under 30 Honoree

PITTSBURGH – The American Volleyball Coaches Association announced this year’s prestigious Thirty Under 30 watch list, and Kamalani Akeo saw her name on the list for the first time. The Thirty Under 30 honors up-and-coming coaches at all levels of volleyball—college, high school, and club—and the recipients serve in a range of roles, from head coach to volunteer assistant to club director. Nominees had to be under 30 as of Dec. 31, 2023, to qualify for the award.

Akeo has been integral to the success of Pitt volleyball the last three years, especially the past two seasons as an assistant coach. The team was consistently top five in hitting percentage nationally during the 2023 season, ending at the number five spot. Akeo coached Rachel Fairbanks to become the 2023 ACC Setter of the Year and an AVCA First Team All-American. She helped Pitt to its third consecutive Final Four and second straight ACC Championship and currently has the Panthers running the most efficient offense in the nation, hitting a blistering .343.