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UCLA women’s volleyball coach Alfee Reft leaves program

UCLA women’s volleyball coach Alfee Reft walks on the sideline at Pauley Pavilion. Reft departed the program to pursue professional opportunities. (Brianna Carlson/Daily Bruin staff)

By Gabriela Garcia

Jan. 21, 2026 6:27 p.m.

Coach Alfee Reft departed UCLA women’s volleyball to pursue professional opportunities, UCLA athletics announced Wednesday.

“After heavy deliberation, I have decided to focus on myself and my family with opportunities outside of collegiate coaching,” Reft said in a written statement. “I will forever be grateful for my time here at UCLA and wish only the best for this program moving forward.”

Reft joined the Bruins in December 2022 – following Michael Sealy, who spent 13 years in Westwood and won the program’s fourth national championship in 2011 – and compiled a 51-40 overall record in his tenure as head honcho.

This past season, Reft led the program to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2021, falling in the second round to national runner-up Kentucky.

The 2025 squad finished 12-8 in the Big Ten, tying for sixth in the conference and 19-13 overall, producing Reft’s highest win total as head coach.

“We would like to thank Alfee for his leadership of the women’s volleyball program during his three seasons at UCLA,” said athletic director Martin Jarmond in a written statement. “He led the program into its new era in the Big Ten, building a strong and positive culture among student-athletes, coaches, and staff. His on-court leadership has elevated our women’s volleyball program.”

UCLA women’s volleyball coach Alfee Reft talks to his players at Pauley Pavilion. Reft leaves the Bruins after three seasons at the helm. (Vanessa Man/Daily Bruin)

Reft developed two All-Americans during his tenure in alumnae middle blocker Anna Dodson and outside hitter Cheridyn Leverette. Dodson is playing overseas for Monviso Volley, which competes in the Serie A1 Italy’s highest professional league.

Leverette finished her collegiate career this past season, receiving First Team All-Big Ten honors following a campaign where she produced 469 kills on a .235 hitting percentage. The Hampton, Georgia, local was selected in the fourth round of the Major League Volleyball draft by the Orlando Valkyries, but did not sign with the team.

Sophomore libero Lola Schumacher and redshirt junior outside hitter Marianna Singletary also secured First Team All-Big Ten honors as first-year Bruins under Reft this season. Schumacher led the Big Ten with 495 digs, posting 4.38 per set, and Singletary led the conference with 159 blocks to finish the 2025 campaign.

“I would like to thank UCLA, specifically Martin Jarmond and Kenny Donaldson for the opportunity they gave me to be a part of this tremendous community, the staff and people that make this place so special, and most importantly, to the athletes that I have had the privilege to battle with day in and day out while in Westwood,” Reft said in a written statement.

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Gabriela Garcia | Assistant Sports editor
Garcia is a 2025-2026 assistant Sports editor on the baseball, rowing, women's volleyball and women's water polo beats. She was previously a contributor on the baseball and women's volleyball beats. Garcia is a second-year communication student minoring in education and social transformation from Victorville, California.
Garcia is a 2025-2026 assistant Sports editor on the baseball, rowing, women's volleyball and women's water polo beats. She was previously a contributor on the baseball and women's volleyball beats. Garcia is a second-year communication student minoring in education and social transformation from Victorville, California.
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