WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Since Faye Adelaja's arrival in West Lafayette in 2012, she has developed a reputation of reliability, both on and off the court. She is on pace to become Purdue's most efficient hitter ever, clocking in with a .368 hitting percentage (which would top KiKi Jones's tally from 2011-14), and is one of just 12 Boilermakers to post 750 kills and 350 blocks in a career. She is a dependable friend, a leader in the locker room and a listening ear for all, all while excelling in the classroom and preparing for a career in the medical field.
She isn't flashy in any part of life, except maybe her various hairdos and hair colors, but she is that helpful force getting things done and pushing those around her to another level.
"I just really love taking care of people and I love seeing people benefit from the things that I can give them or that I can do," Adelaja said. "Whenever someone is in need, I just don't want to say no. I want to be the person that everybody can rely on. I also want to be a model for other student-athletes coming up behind me that you can do whatever you want, whether that is to be an engineer or doctor or lawyer or teacher or to play overseas. You can balance these things and do what you want to do in the future."
A model of versatility and reliability on the court, she has hit at a .250 or better clip in 74 of her 113 matches, including .300 or better 50 times, .400 or better in 48 and .500 or better 29 times. She has racked up double-digit kill tallies 27 times, leading the team on eight occasions. Her slight 6-1 frame hasn't stopped the middle blocker from succeeding in the big, physical Big Ten. In addition to constantly deceiving opponents with her hitting prowess, Adelaja has put up her share of stuffs as well, posting five or more blocks in 29 matches and leading the Boilermakers at the net 45 times.
Adelaja has her name in the Purdue record books for both hitting and blocking. She owns two spots on the season hitting percentage list (2nd, .397 in 2015; 10th, .344 in 2014) and ranks ninth on the season block assists list (127 in 2013). On the game records list, she boasts the top spot for 15-19 attempts in a four-set match, hitting at an .800 clip (12 kills, 0 errors, 15 attempts) vs. Maryland on Oct. 3, 2015. The Baton Rouge, La., native also was the first player to put up more than 10 blocks in a match since 2010 when she managed a career-high 11 stuffs vs. Pittsburgh as a redshirt freshman.
Nationally, Adelaja garnered recognition as an AVCA Honorable Mention All-America selection in 2015 to go with first team All-Northeast Region and honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades after ranking 26th nationally in hitting percentage. The middle blocker also earned Big Ten Defensive Player and Co-Freshman of the Week nods on Sept. 16, 2013.
For her work in the classroom, Adelaja will leave Purdue as a four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree and also earned CoSIDA Academic All-District V selection in 2013.
The kind of player Coach Dave Shondell says you would love to build a player around, Adelaja just makes her way through as a quiet leader, constantly making those around her better and taking it all in.
"I have learned to appreciate each day as it comes, especially since I am in my senior season and my days are limited," Adelaja said before the season. "I appreciate more the time that I have with the people that are here, not just my teammates but also my coaches and our strength training people and rehab, etc. I appreciate the moments that I am being taken care of. Every day I want to go in an appreciate the things that people are doing for me and make sure that I am giving my best, because I know that they are giving their best to me because they want me to get better, and I want to get better for them."
Adelaja and the Boilermakers play their final regular season home match Saturday night against Iowa. The senior will be honored for her illustrious career before the game, but it is far from over.