SENIOR ATHLETES ACCEPT COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

As seniors begin to decide which college they want to attend, some have committed to specific schools through athletic scholarships. Seniors Akin Akinwumi and Ariana Bucur, both members of the Peninsula varsity volleyball teams, have been recognized and recruited by schools across the country for their athletic skills.

Akinwumi has been playing volleyball since he was 12 years old. He has been a member of the volleyball team since his freshman year, and he is currently a club volleyball player for Team Rockstar Volleyball Club. Recently, he was recognized by Pepperdine University, where he will attend on a scholarship in August 2019. Akinwumi believes that attending this school will allow him to focus on not only his sport but also his education.

“I wanted to go to a school with good academics and a good volleyball program, and Pepperdine offers both,” Akinwumi said. “I am not sure if I want to play volleyball professionally, as that depends on my college career. I want to see how that goes first.”

Those who have witnessed his athletic journey are confident in his abilities, including varsity girls’ and boys’ volleyball coach Kevin Williams, who expressed his faith in Akinwumi’s skill and focus on the court.

“When I found out about his scholarship, I was excited for him because I knew it was coming,” Williams said. “I played Division I myself so I understand what it takes. Akinwumi works hard in [succeeding] with his given strength, height and agility.”

Williams believes that through his experience, training and participation in club volleyball, Akinwumi will thrive in his athletic career in college.  

“I think that he could even play at an Olympic level if he keeps working at it,” Williams said. “We use a training program called Volt which is what some colleges use, so he will definitely be prepared. He also plays for a more elite club so he is definitely ready for college.”

Bucur was also recognized by multiple colleges for her talent in volleyball. In May, she committed to playing volleyball at New York University (NYU) starting in the 2019-20 school year.

“I was approached by four other schools: Dartmouth University, Georgetown University, Harvard University and Wesleyan University,” Bucur said. “None of them [seemed like a good fit], and NYU [was] the obvious choice because I just felt amazing while I was [visiting].”

Bucur has played volleyball since seventh grade, both on school teams and on a club team at Mizuno Long Beach Volleyball Club. On average, she practices about 25 hours a week. Those who have watched her grow both in the sport and as a person, such as junior and fellow teammate Imagen Munkhbayar, were not surprised to hear that Bucur had been scouted by multiple schools.

“[Bucur] has always been a hard worker and has natural leadership abilities,” Munkhbayar said. “She has great skill in [providing verbal encouragement] to the team. She definitely earned [her position at NYU].”

Williams has coached Bucur throughout her entire high school volleyball experience, and, like Akinwumi, he has encouraged and mentored her.

“I am really excited and happy for her,” Williams said. “She worked exceptionally hard [to get scouted]. She is such a great student and athlete and really epitomizes what it means to be a student-athlete.”

Bucur and Akinwumi both prioritize and dedicate time and effort to volleyball, and they hope to continue to excel in their athletic careers at their respective future universities.

“You have to put your head down and keep working,” Bucur said. “[Sleep, school and friends] are going to be hard to maintain, but if you sacrifice everything for a few years, [it will be worth it in the very end].”