Playing Division-One volleyball has always been a dream for Jada Aksu. She officially got the chance when she verbally committed in September 2023 to play at Lafayette College.
Aksu said she believes Lafayette is a great fit, not only for volleyball but for academics as well. “[Lafayette] has the academic fit that I want and I wanted to see how far I could go academically,” she said.
For Aksu’s recruiting process, the GDS volleyball coaching staff helped put together videos and recordings of games and practices for her to send to colleges. GDS varsity volleyball coach Brandon Wiest said that the GDS staff “reached out to coaches and sent recommendations for her.”
Ultimately, Wiest said, Aksu did most of the work on her own. “We are here to support as coaches, but it is something that she knew she really wanted and she put a lot of work on her end to do it,” he said.
“Now with having athletes like Jada, Clara [Yu], Adriano [Arioti] and others, who are going D-1, and also winning a lot of accolades in the D.C. area, people are seeing GDS as an academics school, an arts school and an athletics school,” Athletic Director David Gillespie said.
“Jada is just someone who puts in a ton of time outside of practice,” said Wiest. “She has always been energetic and outgoing.”
Wiest also said that as Aksu has gone through high school, she has “felt more and more comfortable and has grown as an energetic presence.”
“Jada has always been such an amazing teammate,” said junior Zoe Ryu. “She is always super supportive and she comes in clutch in really crucial times.”
Junior Shiraz Benyoucef said that even when the team is losing, Aksu “manages to find a way to really bring us back together.” She added that Aksu “knows the right time to say the right thing.”
Wiest also commented on Aksu’s strong work ethic. “She is someone who, anything she does, feels the need to compete and be as good as she can.”
At GDS, Aksu has helped build the GDS volleyball team. She was named MaxPreps DC Player of the Year two times, Washington Post All-Met Team three times, District of Columbia State Athletic Association All-State Team three times and Independent School League AA All-League Team three times. This season, Aksu also ranks in the top ten in DC in hitting percentage, kills and total blocks
“Since she came in as a freshman, she is just somebody who really makes an effort to reach out to her teammates,” said Wiest. “Whether you’re on her team or playing against her you know where she is in the gym or where she is on the court.”
Ryu emphasized how much Aksu has improved in their time playing together at GDS. “She started off as one of the best players I’ve ever seen,” Ryu said. “I know she has put in so much work and has just improved so much, and I’m really proud of her.”