This post was updated Oct. 29 at 10:53 p.m.

Saturday’s action at Pauley Pavilion far transcended the Bruins’ sweep or any action on the hardwood.

For Kat Lutz, it was an opportunity to raise awareness about a cause dear to her heart.

“Not a lot of people know about adoption,” the sophomore libero said. “Getting the word out there, … knowing that it can make the difference in a child’s life – you can easily be the hero of one of these child’s stories.”

Lutz invited foster and adoptive families to watch the UCLA women’s volleyball match against Michigan State on Saturday afternoon.

The adoption awareness event featured a video of Lutz projected on the jumbotron. In the video, Lutz – who was adopted from Russia in 2006 – shared various resources and causes to educate spectators about adoption in California, including the Dave Thomas Foundation, Nightlight Christian Adoptions and Los Angeles County Adoption.

[Related: Kat Lutz endeavors to spread adoption awareness and importance, dismantle stigma]

“There’s a lot of negative stigmas and stereotypes around foster and adoption,” Lutz said. “This event was to bring light and to celebrate these families and what these resource parents and families are doing – which is awesome.”

Lutz, an adoptee herself, said this part of her identity motivates her to change the narrative surrounding adoption.

“Being adopted definitely drives me to pursue my passions,” Lutz said. “That is the driver for me, … whatever it is that life throws my way. Knowing where I came from – that’s a big part of my identity.”

The unwavering support of her adoptive parents has been instrumental in shaping her journey, Lutz said, providing opportunities she otherwise would not have gotten. She added that her passion is rooted in her identity and built by her love for her family.

In addition to the adoption awareness event, children across LA County gathered for “LA Volleyball Day.” Sabrina M., from Barbara Webster Elementary School in Santa Paula, was part of a group of 8- to 11-year-old students in the stands Saturday.

Sabrina’s appreciation for adoption awareness deepened Saturday, highlighted by the impact of seeing Lutz on the court.

“It was good because people barely get adopted, and not a lot of people know about adoption,” Sabrina said. “It was important for other people to know that even if you’re not from a living family, you could still be good at anything if you put your mind to it.”

Lutz championed the importance of raising awareness about adoption, noting that small conversations, such as encouraging a family member to foster, can reshape a child’s future and cast someone as the hero of their journey.

“My message is that love binds you together no matter what,” Lutz said. “The love a resource parent can provide is amazing – and that can change the course of a child’s life.”