Zayna Meyer will continue her college volleyball career at UCLA in the fall after three years at Long Beach State and BYU. She will be a fifth-year senior during the 2025 season.
Although there are a lot of differences between her past and her present, it is the food that stands out!
Meyer began her college volleyball career in Provo. The Illinois-native ranked as the No. 40 overall recruit in the Class of 2021 and the No. 12 player at her position. However, she did not see the court at BYU and chose to redshirt. Things didn’t quite work out with the Cougars so it was off to the transfer portal.
Long Beach State offered Meyer the chance to step right in as the starting setter. It couldn’t have worked out any better for both parties. The Beach had some of their best seasons in recent history with Meyer as the primary catalyst for success. She earned All-Big West honors in all three years and was named as the Big West Setter of the Year in 2023.
Although Zayna Meyer found her groove (and boyfriend) at Long Beach State, the transfer portal presented her with an opportunity to transfer up for her senior season. UCLA ultimately received her commitment.
It is unclear as to whether the Bruins plan to start Meyer at setter in the fall but the competition is wide open. She arrived to campus for the spring semester to get acclimated with her new teammates, to get a few practices under her belt and to hit the weight room.
There are a lot of differences between schools like Long Beach State and UCLA in terms of athletics. The resources are not on the same level in terms of facilities, staff and finances. Nothing compares to the food. Zayna Meyer cannot believe the difference in quality (and quantity)!
The athletes-only cafeterias are on another level at Power Conference programs. They typically have multiple stations with all kinds of cuisine, from burgers and fries to stir fry and teriyaki chicken and everything in between. It’s crazy. Meyer has been in Westwood for less than five months and she still has yet to get over it!