UCLA Bruins setter Zayna Meyer didn’t hold back when asked about her team’s goals for the season Tuesday at Big Ten Volleyball Media Days in Chicago.
“We want to win a natty. We're going for the Final Four. We want to be Big Ten Champions,” Meyer said.
The setter is a graduate transfer from Long Beach State, where she earned Big West Setter of the Year Honors in 2023. Meyer redshirted her freshman year at BYU and is one of five transfers joining the Bruins' roster this year.
“I think with the conversation of integrating a lot of people, it's really important to understand that this process of our program has been on a pathway now for a couple years, and we're very excited to cash in on something unique and special that includes a crux eight players that have been in our program for the past two to three years,” head coach Alfee Reft said. “Those players coming in have bought into the vision of our program, they've bought into the direction of what we're doing, and that's really exciting. I'm thrilled. I can't wait for the start of our season for us to finally be in the gym together.”
In addition to Meyer, the Bruins added sophomore libero Lola Schumacher from Wisconsin this offseason. As a freshman for the Badgers, Schumacher started 23 of 30 games played and recorded four matches with over 20 digs.
“She's a tremendous piece that we've added to an already strong core of passers and defenders we have. Lola elevates us in that position. She's feisty, she's competitive, she sees the game really well, she moves really well,” Reft said. “I think she's not only going to bring a great competitive level to our gym, she's going to make our hitters better. Honestly one of the best things about having this many pieces in a gym is your players, whether on this side or that side of the gym, have to put the ball down against the best every day, and I think she's only adding to that prowess we have.”
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UCLA is a volleyball school. The Bruins’ men’s program finished second-best in the nation last season, falling in three sets to Long Beach State in the national championship.
Meyer came from Long Beach and is used to having a high-caliber men’s program to watch and learn from. She said she enjoys watching the Bruins men play, especially setter Andrew Rowan.
“I think [the UCLA men’s success is] amazing. It could not be better watching men's volleyball at a super high level,” Meyer said. “I honestly think it just fires us up to be better. I don't think necessarily it's more pressure, but I think at UCLA we're destined for greatness.”