Akinradewo Wins BronzeAkinradewo Wins Bronze
Women's Volleyball

Akinradewo Wins Bronze

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STANFORD IN RIO | AP: Akinradewo, Larson Glad They Stayed for Olympics | Pac-12.com: Akinradewo Leads Team USA in Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Foluke Akinradewo '09 helped guide the United States to an Olympic bronze medal, Saturday, defeating the Netherlands, 25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 25-19 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It marks the third straight Olympics in which the U.S. has won a medal (silver in 2008 and 2012).The U.S. finished the Rio Games with a 7-1 record.

Akinradewo is a 6-foot-3 middle blocker who played in her second Olympics for the U.S. She was born in Canada of Nigerian parents and grew up in Fresno and Plantation, Florida. She never played club volleyball as a youth, starring in volleyball, basketball, and track and field in high school. Her athletic ability is almost unparalleled.

The ninth individual Olympian in program history, Akinradewo helped lead the U.S. to a silver medal at the 2012 Games in London. Still searching for the elusive gold medal, the U.S. women's indoor team has won three silver medals (1984, 2008, 2012) and two bronze (1992, 2016).

At Stanford, the human biology major was a two-time Pac-10 Player of the Year, Honda Award winner and AVCA Player of the Year. She led the Cardinal to three NCAA finals while becoming a four-time AVCA All-American. Her .446 career hitting percentage is a school record and ranks third among all NCAA Division I players.

Stanford was well represented with 39 athletes competing at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Among the contingent: 25 former, seven current and five incoming student-athletes, along with two former club sports competitors, in addition to five other delegates. Stanford's Olympians hailed from 10 countries and spanned 17 varsity sports.

 

DateStanford AthleteOpponentTime/Result
8.6Foluke Akinradewo (USA)vs. Puerto RicoW, 3-0 (25-17, 25-22, 25-17)
8.8Foluke Akinradewo (USA)vs. NetherlandsW, 3-2 (18-25, 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 15-8)
8.10Foluke Akinradewo (USA)vs. SerbiaW, 3-1 (25-17, 21-25, 25-18, 25-19)
8.12Foluke Akinradewo (USA)vs. ItalyW, 3-1 (25-22, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20)
8.14Foluke Akinradewo (USA)vs. ChinaW, 3-1 (22-25, 25-17, 25-19, 25-19)
8.16Foluke Akinradewo (USA)vs. JapanW, 3-0 (25-16, 25-23, 25-22)
8.18Foluke Akinradewo (USA)vs. SerbiaL, 2-3 (25-20, 17-25, 21-25, 25-16, 13-15)
8.20Foluke Akinradewo (USA)vs. NetherlandsW, 3-1 (25-23, 25-27, 25-22, 25-19)

 

Win #1 in the books for your #usavwnt! ???????????? #ToughTogether #Allin

A photo posted by USA VB Women's National Team (@usavwnt) on Aug 6, 2016 at 5:32pm PDT

?? @folukea @usavwnt #rio2016 #teamusa????

A video posted by Stanford Women's Volleyball (@stanfordwvb) on Aug 6, 2016 at 2:34pm PDT