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Eliana Urzua, Mija Bendziute, Hazel Alevok, Sakura Codling
Women's Volleyball Announces 2025 Signees
November 20, 2024 | Women's Volleyball
LOS ANGELES โ The UCLA women's volleyball program has inked four incoming student-athletes to grants-in-aid (GIA), as announced Wednesdayย by head coach Alfee Reft. Hazel Alevok, Mija Bendziute, Sakura Codling, and Eliana Urzua will enroll as freshmen ahead of the 2025 season.
"I am proud to introduce and welcome this deep and talented class to UCLA in 2025," Reft said.ย "We have a well-rounded class of elite people who are accomplished and familiar with winning in their junior levels and we anticipate they will bring those winning habits to Westwood.ย I am certain this group of young women will impact our program greatly in more ways than one."
Below are capsules on each player in the new class, including a report from Coach Reft.
MB Hazel Alevok (Bradenton, Fla. / IMG Academy)
Standing at 6'7" - Hazel Alevok brings her towering presence as one of the most highly-touted middle blockers in the nation. Alevokย made an impact on the national state as she was a gold medalist with the USAV U19 National Team at the NORCECA Continental Championship and has participated the USAV National Team Development Program from 2022 to 2024. She was recently named a First Team AVCA High School All-American. Alevok'sย dominance on the court during her prep career is further highlighted by her multiple All-Tournament Team selections and her MVP title with IMG Volleyball U18.
Reft says: "Hazel is exemplary of hard work and talent combined. She is in a top percentile of middles because she is strong on both sides of the ball in both attacking and blocking.ย She sees the game well and can get her hands into lots of spaces in block and is very good both in front and behind in attacking, leaving few weaknesses to her skillset.ย Most importantly, Hazel seeks out excellence and is a tremendous learner and a winner who will bring her pedigree of talents and experience to UCLA."
OPP Mija Benziute (Boca Raton, Fla. / Boca Raton Community HS / Tribe Volleyball Club)
Mija Bendziute joins UCLA with an impressive list of achievements. A standout at Boca Raton High School, the 6'3" opposite has broken school records in serve receive and aces. Her accolades include being named to the USAV NTDP, Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach 7A-6A First Team All-County, and earning the High School Offensive Specialist Award. Bendziute was also a nominee for the High School Palm Beach Player of the Year and has been recognized as an All-American by PrepVolleyball in both 2023 and 2024. Her performance in tournaments has been stellar, including being named to the NIT Triple Crown All-Tournament Team.
Reft says: "Mija is the complete volleyball player as an opposite attacker. She's a reliable passer with a crafty and high attack. She is a player who lifts the entire team with her positivity and enthusiasm. Her volleyball IQ and versatility has been a contributor to her team winning her 17's Open Division of AAU's last summer. Not only is she fiercely competitive and a winner, she is a connector, making all those around her better. We are thrilled for the impact she will make on our program."
L Sakura Codling (Cincinnati, Ohio / Seton HS / Tri State Elite)
Sakura Codling, a defensive powerhouse at the libero position, signs with UCLA. With over 1,500 career digs in high school, she has been a two-time First Team All-State, All-League, and All-District selection. Codling defensive prowess earned her the District 16 Player of the Year award, and she has been recognized as an AVCA All-Region player. Codling was also named an AVCA High School All-American after her outstanding prep career, receiving a second team nod.
Reft says: "Sakura is a bulldog of a libero. She makes the game fun to watch with her grit and determination to scrap and keep balls alive. She brings an unrelenting mentality to her team and her tenacity and focus make her a defensive powerhouse, saving and stealing points. Sakura has the ability to turn the tide of a match with how much court she covers and her tenacious attitude."
OH Elianaย Urzua (Santa Barbara, Calif. / Bishop Diego HSย / Oaks Volleyball Club)
Eliana Urzua, a player who excelled in both indoor and beach volleyball, joins UCLA with a decorated career. She has been a champion at the AAU Beach Nationals and has earned numerous accolades, including being named to the AVCA Phenom List and the VolleyballMag.com Dream Team. Urzua's high school career is marked by multiple MVP awards and league titles, including her Division 7 Player of the Year honors following her freshman season.
Reft says: "Eliana is a winner. Her versatility on both the beach and indoor courts speaks volumes about her talent and dedication to the sport. She could have had her pick of programs in either discipline, but her decision to choose UCLA speaks to her vision, focus, and hunger for greatness. Eliana is a fierce competitor who is relentless in her pursuit of success. She brings a winning mentality to everything she does, and that mindset will continue to elevate both herself and our team to new heights."
ย
"I am proud to introduce and welcome this deep and talented class to UCLA in 2025," Reft said.ย "We have a well-rounded class of elite people who are accomplished and familiar with winning in their junior levels and we anticipate they will bring those winning habits to Westwood.ย I am certain this group of young women will impact our program greatly in more ways than one."
Below are capsules on each player in the new class, including a report from Coach Reft.
MB Hazel Alevok (Bradenton, Fla. / IMG Academy)
Standing at 6'7" - Hazel Alevok brings her towering presence as one of the most highly-touted middle blockers in the nation. Alevokย made an impact on the national state as she was a gold medalist with the USAV U19 National Team at the NORCECA Continental Championship and has participated the USAV National Team Development Program from 2022 to 2024. She was recently named a First Team AVCA High School All-American. Alevok'sย dominance on the court during her prep career is further highlighted by her multiple All-Tournament Team selections and her MVP title with IMG Volleyball U18.
Reft says: "Hazel is exemplary of hard work and talent combined. She is in a top percentile of middles because she is strong on both sides of the ball in both attacking and blocking.ย She sees the game well and can get her hands into lots of spaces in block and is very good both in front and behind in attacking, leaving few weaknesses to her skillset.ย Most importantly, Hazel seeks out excellence and is a tremendous learner and a winner who will bring her pedigree of talents and experience to UCLA."
OPP Mija Benziute (Boca Raton, Fla. / Boca Raton Community HS / Tribe Volleyball Club)
Mija Bendziute joins UCLA with an impressive list of achievements. A standout at Boca Raton High School, the 6'3" opposite has broken school records in serve receive and aces. Her accolades include being named to the USAV NTDP, Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach 7A-6A First Team All-County, and earning the High School Offensive Specialist Award. Bendziute was also a nominee for the High School Palm Beach Player of the Year and has been recognized as an All-American by PrepVolleyball in both 2023 and 2024. Her performance in tournaments has been stellar, including being named to the NIT Triple Crown All-Tournament Team.
Reft says: "Mija is the complete volleyball player as an opposite attacker. She's a reliable passer with a crafty and high attack. She is a player who lifts the entire team with her positivity and enthusiasm. Her volleyball IQ and versatility has been a contributor to her team winning her 17's Open Division of AAU's last summer. Not only is she fiercely competitive and a winner, she is a connector, making all those around her better. We are thrilled for the impact she will make on our program."
L Sakura Codling (Cincinnati, Ohio / Seton HS / Tri State Elite)
Sakura Codling, a defensive powerhouse at the libero position, signs with UCLA. With over 1,500 career digs in high school, she has been a two-time First Team All-State, All-League, and All-District selection. Codling defensive prowess earned her the District 16 Player of the Year award, and she has been recognized as an AVCA All-Region player. Codling was also named an AVCA High School All-American after her outstanding prep career, receiving a second team nod.
Reft says: "Sakura is a bulldog of a libero. She makes the game fun to watch with her grit and determination to scrap and keep balls alive. She brings an unrelenting mentality to her team and her tenacity and focus make her a defensive powerhouse, saving and stealing points. Sakura has the ability to turn the tide of a match with how much court she covers and her tenacious attitude."
OH Elianaย Urzua (Santa Barbara, Calif. / Bishop Diego HSย / Oaks Volleyball Club)
Eliana Urzua, a player who excelled in both indoor and beach volleyball, joins UCLA with a decorated career. She has been a champion at the AAU Beach Nationals and has earned numerous accolades, including being named to the AVCA Phenom List and the VolleyballMag.com Dream Team. Urzua's high school career is marked by multiple MVP awards and league titles, including her Division 7 Player of the Year honors following her freshman season.
Reft says: "Eliana is a winner. Her versatility on both the beach and indoor courts speaks volumes about her talent and dedication to the sport. She could have had her pick of programs in either discipline, but her decision to choose UCLA speaks to her vision, focus, and hunger for greatness. Eliana is a fierce competitor who is relentless in her pursuit of success. She brings a winning mentality to everything she does, and that mindset will continue to elevate both herself and our team to new heights."
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