This article recaps a segment from The Rush's Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026 episode. Watch The Rush on YouTube.
Orem freshman Meilani Akana had 25 kills and three aces as the Tigers beat Green Canyon in five sets for the 4A girls volleyball state title on Oct. 30, according to the Deseret News. Orem won the first two sets, Green Canyon took the next two, and Orem won the fifth 15-8.
"I think we were playing pretty well together in those first two sets, and we let them come back a little bit in the third and fourth," Akana said. "But I think ultimately we had the energy and momentum on our side in the fifth set, so we were able to close it."
A freshman who filled in
Andy said Akana had 481 kills this season as Orem went 29-3 and unbeaten in region play. She missed the first couple of matches. "I was just hoping to be able to fill in whatever role I was able to," she said. "I'm glad I was able to fill in the role pretty well."
She said adjusting was part of the challenge, with a new setter and coaches she hadn't played for. "Just being able to kind of fill in roles and just being able to play with different people," she said.
Orem swept Timpanogos, Wasatch and Desert Hills at the state tournament before the final. Akana said Madi Scott, who had 16 kills in the final, "brings calmness to the court. She's very controlled." Her favorite memory? The bus rides home, especially the three-hour trip back from Southern Utah. "Just having a bunch of fun singing with all our teammates," she said.
Playing for Brazil
Akana also plays for Brazil's U17 national team. She played in the South American Championship last year and the World Championship this year. Her mom is from Brazil and talked to some of the coaches, which led to an invitation. "I got to learn Portuguese and a lot of new people," she said. "It was a really fun experience."
See Orem's roster on MaxPreps, and read about another title-winning effort in our story on Ogden soccer's Elle Weston.