Anota Adekunle

Personal: Adekunle majored in natural science and neuroscience at Rice University, showcasing her dedication to academics alongside her athletic pursuits. She is one of six children in her family, highlighting the importance of family values in her life. In her personal life, Adekunle has a female pitbull named Sai, demonstrating her love for animals. She acknowledges her club coach, Gabi Carbone, as a person who has made a difference in her life, emphasizing the impact of mentors in her journey. Outside of volleyball, Adekunle has a passion for global health administration and aspires to work at a hospital if she were not playing volleyball. Her diverse athletic background includes participation in basketball, track and field, swimming, and golf during her childhood. Adekunle's interests extended beyond sports, as she played the violin in her school's orchestra and was involved in honor council. Her accomplishments include competing at the Junior Olympics in high school and earning second place in the 4x400 relay. Her hobbies encompass a wide range of interests, including reading, painting, listening to music, and watching videos on YouTube. Adekunle's multifaceted talents and dedication to both academics and athletics make her a well-rounded individual and athlete.

International Experience: Adekunle is a two-time selection to the United States Women's Collegiate National Team, receiving invitations in both 2019 and 2021. Her international experience showcases her talent and dedication to the sport.

At Rice: Adekunle is a five-year letter winner at Rice University, where she made a significant impact on the volleyball court. Her college career spanned from 2018 to 2022, during which she appeared in 137 matches and played in 481 sets. Her contributions to the team were substantial, and she left a lasting legacy at Rice. Throughout her college career, Adekunle tallied impressive statistics, including 1,324 kills, 30 service aces, 233 digs, and 454 blocks. Her standout performances earned her recognition as a two-time AVCA Honorable Mention All-America selection. Additionally, she received Honorable Mention All-America commendations from Volleyball Magazine. Adekunle's consistent excellence led to her selection to the AVCA All-Region Team in each of her final four seasons. She was also recognized as a five-time All-Conference USA selection, earning First-Team honors in each of her final four years. One of her remarkable achievements was setting the Rice career record with a .408 hitting percentage, emphasizing her efficiency and skill as a middle blocker. She also ranks fourth in school history with 365 block assists, and her 454 blocks are tied for fifth on Rice's all-time list. Adekunle's contributions extended to the offensive side of the game, where she ranks 11th in program history with 1,324 career kills. In her senior season in 2022, Adekunle showcased her prowess by ranking 10th in NCAA Division I with a .413 hitting percentage. She led the Owls in kills (363), points (430.5), and blocks (95). Throughout the season, she recorded at least 10 kills in a match 21 times, including a season-high of 23 kills against No. 17 Creighton. Adekunle's impressive performance in the 2021 season included ranking 16th in the nation with a .406 hitting percentage. She registered 10 double-digit kill efforts, including a career-high of 28 kills against SMU. Her consistency and versatility were evident throughout her college career. In the 2020 season, she ranked second on the team with 232 kills while leading the squad with 97 total blocks. Her impact was felt on both ends of the court. Adekunle's sophomore campaign in 2019 was marked by her setting a school single-season record with a .423 hitting percentage, a remarkable achievement that ranked sixth in NCAA Division I. Her efficiency and offensive contributions were integral to her team's success. As a freshman in 2018, she was recognized as a member of the Conference USA All-Freshman Team, underscoring her immediate impact on the college volleyball scene. Her hitting percentage ranked sixth in the league with .344. A significant highlight of Adekunle's college career was being honored as the Conference USA Tournament Most Valuable Player, recognizing her outstanding performances in crucial moments.