Veonn Taito was academically ineligible to play for the Lathrop High boys volleyball team last spring.
One year later, he’s a signed scholar-athlete.
The senior outside hitter has inked with Tennessee Wesleyan University, which launches its men’s volleyball program next spring under coach Josh Branan. The Bulldogs compete in the Appalachian Athletic Conference of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Taito hopes that his bounce-back story “inspires others.”
“My junior year, I couldn’t make grades and over that time COVID got to me,” he said, referencing the state-mandated coronavirus lockdown. “I used that to improve and work on myself in volleyball and just in general.”
Taito discovered Tennessee Wesleyan through a recruiting network. Branan reached out via email, and after a discussion he offered a partial scholarship.
Even though he hasn’t had the chance to visit the campus in Athens, Tenn., Taito believed this was an opportunity he could not pass up. He’ll get to do a virtual tour leading up to freshman orientation over the summer.
“From videos and pictures I’ve seen on the website, it’s really nice,” Taito said. “And it’s far away. I’m actually pretty excited. I’m born and raised in Cali and from East Oakland, but it’s time for a change. I’m looking forward to the travel.”
He is also excited to finally get back into the swing of volleyball season. Although he has been able to train and practice, Taito has not played in a live match in more than a year. He played club with Rage Volleyball before the pandemic hit. His club coach, Toa Fa’ali’i, also heads Lathrop’s boys and girls teams.
Taito began playing volleyball in the fifth grade for River Islands Technology Academy. He was part of the school’s first volleyball team, which started out coed, along with current Lathrop teammate Christian Green — he signed with Indiana-based Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College’s fledgling program in November.
Getting to play college athletics is a dream come true for Taito, who had made it a goal since he began playing for River Islands Technology Academy. He will major in sports management.
“Honestly, I am very proud of myself, but I could not have done it without my friends and family that helped me along the way,” Taito said. “They always pushed me to do my best and to do better. In my family, everybody has been through college and I just want to continue that. I got that scholarship, and I just want to make parents proud.”
