Kimie Taketa '17 Recruiting Profile

My name is Kimie Taketa, I am a 5'3 Libero and just graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelors of Science degree in Psychology with a GPA of 3.8. Previously to Utah, I played two seaosns of collegiate volleyball, one season at the University of Massachusetts Boston and one season at Saddleback College. While at UMass, our team was named LEC Conference Champs and New England Regional Champions. We also made it to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Championships that were hosetd in Holland, MI. Being a California native, it was very hard for me to adjust to the different lifestyle and be far away from home. Due to my freshmen experience being a little uncomforting I decided to go back home to California for a semester before transferring to Utah. While at Saddleback College, I was considered a Scholar Baller, in which I had over a 3.5 GPA. I was also named to the Orange Empire Conference- First Team All- League.

You might me wondering, why a college graduate is still looking to play for a collegiate team. To answer your thoughts, I am still very passionate about continuing my education and will be applying to Occupational Therapy School for the Fall of 2017. I realize that I have been out of touch with playing competitve volleyball for a year, but I am still very passionate about the sport and even though I only have a year left of eligibility, it would mean the world to me to be able to get back on the court again for the very last time. Since I have been out of volleyball for a year, in my spare time I have been playing intramurals, sand volleyball, as well as taking up competitive running. I know I may not be in "tip top volleyball shape" but I am very passionate and will work hard so that I can have the opportunity to play competively again.