Kat Lutz is a true freshman defensive specialist/libero from Del Mar, Calif. Lutz, who competed both indoors and on the beach at Torrey Pines High School, was named an AVCA High School and VolleyballMag.com Third Team All-American her senior year in 2022. She is part of head coach Alfee Reft’s first freshman class.
Q: Explain your background being born in Russia and moving to Southern California.
KL: I was adopted and moved to the United States around one years old. My adopted family is my family. It’s cool being adopted just knowing where I came from and where I am now is shocking. One thing I’m working on is raising awareness for adoption. I’ve done a few grassroots campaigns in my local grocery store and shopping centers handing out flyers to put the word out there. … A while back I made flyers with QR codes that provided links to different meetings and websites that people can educate themselves on to show how many kids are in need. It’s been just me putting this together and handing (the flyers) out.
Q: How would you say being adopted has impacted your life trajectory and mindset in life?
KL: I feel like every day I come back to the word in my mind: gratitude. I’m really blessed to be where I am now.
Q: How did you discover volleyball once in San Diego?
KL: It was an outlet I used, first playing for fun with friends at eight years old. Slowly and slowly, there were only a couple people left playing. I played a bunch of different sports – tennis, gymnastics – as a kid, you just sign up for whatever. I would say it was a gradual build to volleyball. As (my friends) stopped playing, I was in it for the long run.
Q: What have your first weeks on UCLA’s campus been like?
KL: It’s been great. I feel like adjusting has been easy because (my teammates) have been so nice and welcoming and happy to help with everything. I love the campus. It’s gorgeous. Before we lift a couple days, we go out onto the intramural field and we’re out in the Sun early in the morning and it feels great.
Q: What was your recruiting process to UCLA?
KL: I would say I put a lot of feelers out, but when this opportunity came, in the back of my head I always knew UCLA was meant to be. (What initially attracted me to UCLA) was the mix of the school and athletics as well as the fact that it’s known worldwide. … I…
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