From Paris to Pauley Pavilion, Alfee Reft’s impact on the Bruins transcends the court.

Serving as a seasonal assistant coach for Team USA, Reft, the UCLA women’s volleyball head coach, worked alongside UCLA Hall of Famers Karch Kiraly – the national team’s head coach and UCLA men’s volleyball alumni – and Sue Enquist, the team’s culture consultant and a 10-time NCAA national champion with UCLA softball. Together, the Bruin trio helped the United States women’s volleyball national team capture the silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“The Olympic experience – it was unique, it was a phenomenal run,” Reft said. “The takeaway for myself and our Bruins is the importance of every member being able to contribute and play a role in the success of the team.”

While the Bruins failed to reach the NCAA tournament in 2023, Reft’s first campaign was still a mild improvement from its previous season – they won two more games overall and improved from 8-7 to 12-5 on the road.

During the Big Ten Volleyball Media Days on Aug. 6, graduate student middle blocker Anna Dodson shared part of why she’s remained in Westwood throughout her lengthy collegiate career.

“Going into my sixth year, it’s simple – Alfee and this amazing coaching staff,” Dodson said. “It’s been such an honor to be at UCLA for going on six years. I truly wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in the state.”

Now, Reft is focused on guiding UCLA through its inaugural Big Ten season – territory he is familiar with.

Reft previously spent three seasons at Minnesota, accumulating a 40-20 record as a first-time collegiate assistant coach and helped lead the Gophers to a third-round NCAA tournament appearance in 2010. His expertise continued to grow after spending two seasons at Illinois from 2018 to 2019, leading the Fighting Illini to an NCAA semifinals appearance in his first season with the program.

“The environment that you play in is probably the biggest difference from the Pac-12 to the Big Ten,” Reft said. “The Big Ten is immense – it’s a battle every night and you’re batting in some pretty exciting and big environments.”

Reft isn’t the only member of his staff with Big Ten experience. Associate head coach Amir Lugo-Rodriguez spent two years as an assistant coach with Northwestern. With Lugo-Rodriguez in 2022, the Wildcats went 18-14 – their best season by winning percentage since 2010.

In other Evanston, Illinois, connections, the Bruins have acquired a Wildcat transfer in each of the past two offseasons, with former Bruin Desiree Becker last season and graduate student middle hitter Leilani Dodson ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Adding to Reft’s ability to build a staff, he hired assistant coach Stevi Robinson-Trail from California State University Bakersfield to replace former associate head coach Jen Malcom, who left to become head coach at California.

Reft’s skills in attracting potential players haven’t gone unnoticed by his returners either. In 2023, Reft brought in six players. A year later, the newcomers totaled seven.

The 2024 class includes freshman opposite hitter Anastasija Ivkovic. The Belgrade, Serbia, local has competed in a plethora of championships overseas – including the Balkan Championships U19, the Greek A1 Etniki and the Serbian Cup.

“Coach Alfee has done an amazing job recruiting and our roster is really stronger than ever,” said sophomore libero Kat Lutz.