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UCLA Women's Volleyball Team A NCAA D-1 PROGRAM

Mission Statement

We attract inspired driven individuals who crave our innovative student athlete experience and a recalibration of their limits, to consistently position ourselves to compete for championships.

Why

We exist to cultivate in our athletes the skill set necessary to forge their path to greatness both on and off the court. Our athletes are ready for whatever is next.

Coaching Staff

Michael Sealy, Head Coach

Michael Sealy begins his ninth season as the head coach of the UCLA women's volleyball team in 2018.

In 2011, Sealy led the Bruins to the program's fourth NCAA title and seventh National Championship.

The Bruins posted a 30-6 record and defeated four-time defending champion Penn State, #1-overall seed Texas, Florida State and Illinois en route to the championship. Sealy was named the AVCA National Coach of the Year.

One of the top setters in UCLA history, Sealy was a four-year letterwinner with the Bruins from 1990-93. In his senior season, Sealy and the Bruins won the program's 14th National Championship, going 24-3. The team captain was named the co-Most Outstanding Player of the 1993 NCAA Tournament and also earned ASICS/Volleyball Monthly Player of the Year and AVCA All-American first-team honors.

Following his playing career in Westwood, Sealy went on to play professionally in Switzerland, Belgium, Holland and Puerto Rico. He also played with the U.S. National Team in 1994 and 1997.

Sealy graduated from UCLA in 1993 with a degree in physiological science.

Michael Sealy, UCLA Men's Volleyball 1990-1993

Her·story

1974 AIAW Champions

UCLA began the year on a 20-game winning streak, losing just two sets during the first two months. At the AIAW Nationals, UCLA went on to win the program’s second title. All eight matches over the three-day tournament would be straight-set victories, including a 15-7, 15-8 win on Dec. 14 against Hawai’i in the championship game. Three of the greatest players in UCLA history, Terry Condon, Nina Grouwinkel and Lesley Knudsen, led the team to the title.

All eight matches over the three-day tournament would be straight-set victories, including a 15-7, 15-8 win...

1975 AIAW Champions

UCLA made it back-to-back AIAW titles in 1975, finishing the season on a 17-match winning streak to claim its third school championship. After sweeping through the SCWIAC Championships and the Western Regionals, the Bruins traveled to Princeton, N.J. for AIAW Nationals.

UCLA made it back-to-back AIAW titles in 1975...

UCLA was perfect through the first six matches, not dropping a game and setting up a rematch of the 1974 title contest against Hawai’i. The result would be the same for the Bruins, defeating the Rainbow Wahine 14-12, 15-11 on Dec. 14 to take the crown.

The championship was the second in a row for six Bruins, including team captain Nina Grouwinkel and U.S. National Team members Terry Condon and Lesley Knudsen.

First NCAA Title

In its fourth season since the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) started to sponsor women’s championships, and after knocking on the door in 1981 but losing on its home court to cross-town rival USC and falling in ‘83 to Hawai’i in the title match, UCLA brought home its first NCAA women’s volleyball title in 1984.

UCLA brought home its first NCAA women’s volleyball title in 1984.

It was a dream season for the Bruins capped off by an epic battle in the title match against Stanford. UCLA, which completed the regular season with a 29-6 record, hosted the NCAA Championship.

Completed the regular season with a 29-6 record...

All-American and Honda Award winner Liz Masakayan would spike home the winner to give UCLA its first NCAA title in 5 sets. Masakayan finished the match with 32 kills and 24 digs and was named to the All-Tournament Team, being joined by All-American Michelle Boyette and Merja Connolly.

Liz Masakayan, Honda Award Winner
Michelle Boyette
Merja Connolly

2nd NCAA Title

The UCLA women’s volleyball team achieved back-to-back Final Four appearances in 1988 and ’89. The third time was the charm for the Bruins though in 1990, almost running the table and finishing the season with a school-best record of 36-1. In a scant 75 minutes, UCLA swept Pacific 15-9, 15-12, 15-7 to win its second NCAA Championship.

Finishing the season with a school-best record of 36-1.

Standout All-American Natalie Williams was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by fellow All-American Jenny Evans, Marissa Hatchett and Holly McPeak.

Natalie Williams, 2x Honda Award Winner
Jenny Evans
Marissa Hatchett
Holly McPeak

3rd NCAA Title

With three consecutive Final Four trips, UCLA was having one of the most successful runs in the history of the program. But with just one national title, it left the Bruins wanting more and they responded with another NCAA Championship in 1991 to go back-to-back.

They responded with another NCAA Championship in 1991 to go back-to-back.

The stage was set for a second-straight title and the opponent would be Long Beach State. On match point, Natalie Williams scored the winner to give UCLA its sixth national title in five sets.

All-Americans Williams and Elaine Youngs were both named to the All-Tournament Team, with Williams earning co-MVP honors.

Natalie Williams, 2x Honda Award Winner
Elaine Youngs

Most Recent NCAA Title

UCLA won the program’s fourth NCAA Championship and seventh national title in 2011. UCLA went 30-6 on the year, its first 30-win campaign since 2006, finishing second in the Pac-12 with a 17-5 record. Six players were honored on the All-Conference teams and the Bruins finished fifth in the nation in assists per set (13.71) and eighth in kills per set (14.52).

UCLA won the program’s fourth NCAA Championship and seventh national title in 2011.

UCLA swept the Seminoles to move on to its first National Championship contest since 1994 against Illinois. The first two sets were close, with UCLA winning the first 25-23 and the Fighting Illini coming back to win the second by the same score. In the third, UCLA was down two set points, but scored four in a row to steal the set 26-24. In the fourth, it was all Bruins, as they never trailed to win the set 25-16 and claim the championship.

Rachael Kidder, a first-team AVCA All-American who averaged 5.24 kills per set during the NCAA Tournament, was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. She was joined on the All-Tournament Team by senior Lauren Van Orden and freshman Zoë Nightingale. Second-year head coach Michael Sealy was also named AVCA National Coach of the Year.

Michael Sealy was also named AVCA National Coach of the Year.

The UCLA Women's Volleyball Program is among the top-3 programs in the country in National Championship wins.

Rachael Kidder
Lauren Van Orden
Zoe Nightingale

Notable Bruins

Jeanne (Beauprey) Reeves- 1984 Olympics (Indoor)
LIZ MASAKAYAN- 1985 Honda Award Winner, 1988 Olympics (Indoor), Coach of Mcpeak/Youngs Beach team in '04 & '08 Olympics
Natalie Williams- 1992 & 1993 Honda Award Winner, Played basketball for Team USA in 2000 Olympics (Gold)
Elaine Youngs- Olympics in 1996 (Indoor), 2004 (Beach, Bronze with partner Holly mcPeak), and 2008 (Beach), 1999 BEACH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (Bronze)
Holly McPeak- Played Beach in 1996, 2000, and 2004 (Bronze with partner elaine youngs) Olympics, 1997 BEACH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (SILVER)
Annett davis- 1999 BEACH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS (SILVER), 2000 Olympics (Beach) with partner Jenny Johnson Jordan
Jenny Johnson Jordan- 1999 beach World championships (Silver), 2000 Olympics (BEach) with partner annett davis
Elisabeth bachman- 2004 Olympics (Indoor)
Nellie Spicer- USA Indoor National Team Member (2008-2012)
Kelly reeves- USA Indoor National Team Member (2014), AVP Tour (2015-Present)
Karsta Lowe- USA INdoor national team member (2015-Present), 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix MVP

Facilities

Jackie Robinson Athletics and Recreation Complex

In November 2014, UCLA officially named 22 of its facilities the Jackie Robinson Athletics and Recreation Complex. In-ground bronze plaques with the number 42 mark each entrance to these training centers, competition sites, fields, and stadiums as a reminder of Robinson’s tremendous courage in the face of adversity.

Student Activities Center

Commonly referred to as SAC. This is our home practice facility...

SAC Gym includes enough space for three full-sized volleyball courts. It is currently undergoing a renovation to transform it into the home practice facility of UCLA Volleyball. Stay tuned to our social media sites for updates on the project!

When UCLA Volleyball isn't using the gym, SAC serves as the practice facility for NBA teams in town to play the LA Lakers and Clippers.

Taylor Formico, Karly Drolson, and Ryann Chandler with Steph Curry
Karly Drolson with Baron Davis

John Wooden Center

Named after the legendary UCLA Men's Basketball Coach that led his team to 10 NCAA championships, John Wooden.

Collins Court in the John Wooden Center serves as one of UCLA Women's Volleyball team's home courts. The players and coaches love playing in Collins due to the intimate feel it has with fans.

Collins Court seats more than 2,000 fans.

Pauley Pavilion

Pauley Pavilion underwent a $136 million renovation that was completed in Fall 2012; seating capacity was also increased to 13,800.

Pauley not only plays host to men's and women's volleyball games, but also to gymnastics and both basketball teams. Special events such as Bruin Bash, Spring Sing, NCAA Tournaments, Nickelodeon Kids Sports Awards, MTV Music Awards, and more take advantage of Pauley Pavilion's state-of-the-art facility.

Clear Bag Policy

Starting in the 2016 season, Pauley Pavilion will be implementing a Clear Bag Policy. Click this link and read below for more details: uclabruins.com/ClearBagPolicy

Acosta Athletic Training Complex

The complex contains a training room, nutrition fueling station, weight room, and the team's locker room...

The NEW Team Locker Room

The UCLA Women's Volleyball team's locker room in Acosta Athletic Training Complex underwent a $100,000 renovation in the Summer of 2015.

It includes a fueling station, espresso maker, printer, mega-sized TV for team video and leisurely watching, personalized lockers with charger stations inside, and much, much more!

Even the pillows are made from recycled game-worn jerseys!

Stay Tuned for More Updates!

Created By
UCLA Women's Volleyball Team
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Credits:

UCLA, UCLA Athletics, Don Liebig, Kate Lattman, Associated Press, Getty Images

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