Beach Volleyball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Alma Mater:
- UCLA, '09
- Year at UCLA:
- 6th in 2018
- Email:
- knielsen@athletics.ucla.edu
Kaitlin Nielsen begins her sixthย season onย the UCLA women's volleyball coaching staff in 2018. After serving as a volunteer coach in 2013, Nielsen has been an assistant, as well as recruiting coordinator, starting with the 2014 campaign.
In April of 2016, Nielsen was recognized by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) as a recipient of the 2016 Thirty Under 30 Award. The award, which began in 2009, was created to honor up-and-coming coaching talent at all levels of the sport.
In Nielsen's fiveย seasons on staff, the Bruins have posted a record of 110-53ย (.675), reaching aย Regional Semifinalย in fourย straightย campaigns, including a Regional Final showing in 2016. UCLA has earned 15ย All-American awards since 2013, including three-time honoree Karsta Lowe (two AVCA, one VolleyballMag.com) and two-time winners Jordan Anderson and Taylor Formico (both 2015-2016).
Last season, Madeleine Gates (Second Team), Zanaย Munoย (Honorable Mention) and Sarah Sponcilย (Honorable Mention) were named AVCAย All-Americans, while Gates and Sponcilย earned VolleyballMag.com All-American awards.ย UCLA has also earned 14ย AVCA All-Region and 21 All-Pac-12 awardsย over the last fiveย seasons. The Bruins led the country in kills and assists per set in 2014 behind Lowe, the national leader in kills and points per set. Two years ago, UCLA was sixth in the nation in digs and assists per set and 13th in kills per set.
In 2013, Nielsen, along with head beach coach Stein Metzger, started the beach squad just two months after the sport was added to UCLAโs athletic program. Under their guidance, a pair of doubles teams, reached the AVCA National Championships, while Kelly Reeves was named the programโs first All-American.
Nielsen (née Sather) returned to her alma mater after a standout career with the Bruins from 2005 to 2009. She appeared in 132 matches and 448 sets, producing 1,501 kills, 1,153 digs, 99 service aces and 279 blocks. Sather stands 12th on UCLAโs all-time kills list, ninth in kills per set (3.35), fourthย in total attacks (4,287), 11th in digs and tied for 10th in sets played. She is only the 12th Bruin to ever record at least 1,000 kills and 1,000 digs for a career.
As a freshman in 2005, Sather led the Bruins in kps (3.81), total attacks (1,214), aces (38) and points (478.5), receiving All-Pac-10 Freshman Team honors. In 2006, Sather helped the Bruins to an appearance in the NCAA National Semifinals, recording double figures in kills in all five Tournament matches. She played in all 37 contests and finished third on the team with 2.95 kps.
In 2007, Sather was named All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention after pacing the Bruins with 3.76 kps and sporting 28 aces, which was third on the squad. She helped UCLA to within one match of another National Semifinal appearance and would earn All-Regional Team honors.
After sitting out the 2008 campaign due to shoulder surgery, as well as a brief stint as a high jumper on the UCLA track and field team in the Spring of 2009, Sather was named an AVCA Honorable Mention All-American in her senior season after leading the Bruins in attacks (1,001) and placing second with 2.86 kps and 3.05 digs per set. She also earned AVCA Honorable Mention All-Region and All-Pac-10 Conference accolades to close her career.
One of only 17 Bruins to earn three conference All-Academic selections, including First Team in 2007 and 2009, as well as ESPN The Magazine All-District Third Team in โ07, Sather graduated from UCLA with a degree in history and minor in education in 2009.
Following her time in Westwood, Nielsen began her professional career on the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Tour. Starting in 2010, she appeared in 22 events on the AVP, Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball Series, National Volleyball League, USA Volleyball IDQ and Wide Open Beach Volleyball. Nielsen has also played in two FIVB and three NORCECA events. She finished fourth at the FIVB Anapa Open in July with partner Heather Hughes.
Nielsen is married to former CSUN and U.S. National Team member, Nils. The couple added a daughter, Rylin Satherย Nielsen, to their family on March 28, 2017. The Nielsens, along with their dog Brutus, a Boston Terrier, reside in Playa del Rey.
