Volleyball adds to Offense with Transfer Setter Lietzke

Posted: Mar 23, 2023

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Santa Clara University volleyball program welcomed a new addition this winter, with sophomore setter Lauren Lietzke joining the Broncos after transferring from Marist College.

Lietzke, a 5-foot, 9-inch setter from Austin, Texas, began her collegiate career in 2021 in the state of New York with the Red Foxes. She played in 10 matches for Marist as a true freshman, totaling 13 assists, nine digs and six service aces – showing her prowess early on as a multi-faceted player.

"We are so excited to welcome Lauren to the Bronco volleyball family," said Santa Clara head coach Erin Lindsey. "She will bring us depth at the setter position and brings a ton of volleyball IQ. Lauren has already fit in great with the team and has been working hard this winter."

Lietzke joins the Broncos' already dynamic and youthful offense. Fellow setter Nive Tuileta tallied 1,123 assists last season, while six different hitters had over 100 kills. The Broncos hit above .240 as a team in 2022, and had four players with 25 or more service aces. And all of that was with five underclassmen making appearances in 16 or more matches during the season.

"I'm so grateful and excited to be a part of the volleyball program here at Santa Clara!" said Lietzke. "The people here are amazing and the resources -- including the facilities, the coaching staff, athletic trainers and strength coaches -- are top notch. These athletics resources, in combination with the academic opportunities, make Santa Clara an awesome place to be. I can't wait for next season!"

Lietzke prepped at St. Andrew's Episcopal, where she captained the team for three seasons and was a varsity starter all four years of high school. She was twice named all-Southwest Prep Conference (2018, '19), earned all-South Zone honors in 2018, and helped lead the Highlanders to an undefeated season in 2020.

Her club volleyball experience was also full of accolades, playing for Austin Junior Volleyball. Lietzke received the club's Director's Award in 2021 and was named to the GJNC All-Tournament team in 2018. She and her club finished third in 2017 in the Lone Star Region at the USA High Performance Championships in 2017, and third in the National division in 2018.

Lietzke showed her strengths in the classroom in 2022, being named to the Marist College Dean's List and earning Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference honors. She graduated from St. Andrew's Episcopal School with a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average.

Volleyball runs in the family for the Lietzkes – and more specifically, setting. Lauren's older brother, Nathan, is currently a senior setter for the Stanford men's team, just up the road from Santa Clara. Lauren's mother, Kathy, spent a four-year collegiate career as a setter, first at the University of Virginia (1991-92), then at William & Mary College (1993-95). Kathy's 948 assists in 1994 still rank No. 10 all-time in a single season at William & Mary (eighth during the 15-point sets era).

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