The Next Big Thing in Volleyball: Vita Akimova
Feature
How many players who scored 43 points in their Champions League debut do you know? Such an achievement certainly calls the attention of fans and specialists, and this is the case of Volero Le Cannet’s Vita Akimova.
20-years-old, Akimova stormed in her first ever appearance in Europe’s top club competition, when her team faced CS Volei Alba BLAJ. The French team outclassed their opponents from Romania at 3-2, and thanks to her great performance, Vita was named MVP of the game. In the second match of the 4th round of CLVolleyW, despite her team’s loss, Vita scored another 26 points.
However, this is not the first time Akimova shines on the court - two years ago, she was one of Russia’s players at the U20 World Championship when her team finished third. Vita made it to the Dream team of the tournament - finishing as Best opposite. She also was the Top scorer of the competition (157).
Get to know Vita know as she might very well be The Next Bight Thing in Volleyball.
The beginning
Volleyball has been a part of Vita’s life for as long as she remembers herself as a small girl. It was her mother who first brought her to the sports hall in second grade, where Vita met Volleyball for a very first time.
“Later, in fifth grade, I moved to another city where I started playing sports more seriously”.
Standing at 197cm tall, Vita is a trump card for her teams in many games, as her ability to spike and surprise the opponent often play a key role for the outcome of match. Mastering the art of being an opposite, Akimova has never changed that position.
“I have always been an opposite. There were moments when coaches tried me in other roles, but I always came back to the opposite one.”
Going Pro
Vita is from the lucky people who knew what career path to choose, as her instinct told her this was the right thing to do.
Vita Akimova“I just had a feeling that Volleyball is exactly what I want to do.”
Volero Le Cannet
The season 2022/2023 is the first one for Vita when she is competing abroad as she took up the challenge, called Volero Le Cannet. Before joining the French side, Akimova has played for Dinamo-Ak Bars and Sparta Nizhny Novgorod among others. Now, Vita says that she feels wonderful in France, exploring this new experience for her, while adapting in her new club.
Vita Akimova“Volero is a great club with good organisation and a beautiful team. It feels like if we were one big family.”
#CLVolleyW
Playing in the strongest European club competition - the CEV Champions League Volley, is a dream for each European player. A dream that has come true for Vita this season.
Vita Akimova“This is my first time in the Champions League. I always wanted to try myself in this strong championship. There is a lot of new experience, new emotions. My goal for this competition is to show my best game and to help my team to win as many matches as possible.”
The Inspiration&The Dream
Vita says that she has never had a Volleyball idol, but dreams big.
“I want to win every championship I take part in. I also dream of making it to the the world’s top players.”