NEW ORLEANS — Brandyn and Jocelyn Akana have had to do a lot of traveling this month.
The Akanas traveled from Hawaii to watch the Texas volleyball team win NCAA tournament matches in Austin and on the Stanford campus, and they cheered when the Longhorns won a national title in Tampa on Dec. 17. The Akanas were scheduled to travel to New Orleans on Sunday for the football team’s upcoming appearance in the Sugar Bowl.
The Akanas aren’t just Texas fans. They are Texas parents. Their daughter, Kionelli, is a defensive major on the fourth-year volleyball team. Their son, Tausili, is a freshman on the UT football team.
“I hope they can (move) here to Texas and make everything easier,” Tosili Akana said at the Longhorns’ Sugar Bowl media day on Saturday.
Tausili Akana only appeared in one game during his first year in college. However, Christian Jones, a senior Texans player, recently told reporters that Akana was constantly challenging him during practices as No. 3 Texas (12-1) prepared to meet No. 2 Washington (13-0) in the Sugar Bowl.
Meanwhile, Keonilei averaged 1.53 digs per set during the recently completed volleyball season. She also served 33 aces. She transferred from Nebraska and joined the Longhorns in 2022, and will best be remembered for her star serve that sealed the championship against Louisville to conclude the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
So, who is the best athlete in the Akana family?
“Right now, I’ll give it to Keonilei just for the two kids, but I’m coming for this place,” Tosili said.
Since they live far from home, Keonilei and Tausili Akana have provided each other with a support system in Austin. Keonilei has been seen at football matches wearing Tausili’s No. 46 jersey in the stands. Toselli said he often stops by Keonilei’s house for dinner and that his sister sometimes does his laundry. Keonilei was also able to offer Tausili some advice as the football team searches for its first national championship in 18 seasons.
“She called me one day and talked about how they started out kind of slow, but then at some point in the season, they all started to peak. She just said that at this time we’re starting to peak so hopefully we can get our look in style as well.”