No. 4 UC Irvine hosts No. 1 UCLA Friday (Feb. 27) at the Bren Events Center at 7:00 p.m. Prior to the match, ucirvinesports.com talked to setter Aidan Schulten about his UCI experience. 
 
Why did you choose UC Irvine?
I chose UC Irvine because of the family-like feel of the team on my official visit. I saw a group of guys who genuinely cared about each other and came into the gym every day to strive for a national championship. The atmosphere in the gym made it clear to me that not only did I want to play at UCI, but that I couldn't see myself playing anywhere else. At the same time, UC Irvine offered the level of academic rigor I was looking for. I wanted a school that would push me on the court and in the classroom, and so the decision to come here was a no-brainer. 

Can you talk about UC Irvine competing at the 2025 World University Games, representing the United States and the team experience?
Competing in the World University Games and representing the United States was one of the most profound experiences of my career. We played against really strong international teams, and it was a reminder that volleyball is played differently in different parts of the world. Playing against different styles of volleyball gave us new perspectives that we've carried back home and we now reflect through our own game in the Bren.

What I hold closest to me, though, is the time we spent together off the court in Berlin. We didn't have phones or technology for the entire trip which brought us incredibly close, forcing us to be fully present with one another. This created memories that are so vivid to me, especially the bus rides (we sang a lot of songs).

I also think that the time in Germany really kick started this year's campaign. Spending that much time together built so much trust as well as set the tone for the culture we've brought into this year's season. 

How would you describe UC Irvine Volleyball?
I would describe UC Irvine Volleyball through our three core values…

1) Honor the gift: recognizing the reality that the opportunity to play here, represent the university, and compete together is something we have been gifted. Everything being built on a gift shapes the way we approach training and competition.

2) We before me: recognizing that everything we do is centered around the team. Putting the team first creates trust and accountability, setting up individual success as a byproduct of everyone being fully bought into their own role and to each other.

3) Attack with strategy: recognizing that how we compete matters just as much as how hard we compete. We strive to be intentional in how we attack the game. A quote that's been going around our gym lately captures this well: "Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe." - Abraham Lincoln

The team is off to a great start. What are you looking forward to for the rest of the season?
I'm excited to see how we grow and improve throughout the season. Also, having the Big West Championship hosted in the Bren Events Center this year is something we're really looking forward to. The chance to compete for a championship at home in front of our home fans makes it especially meaningful.

Speaking of the Bren Events Center, can you describe the atmosphere playing there?
Playing in the Bren Events Center is really a gift. It's a place that genuinely feels like home. The atmosphere, this year especially, has been unreal. You can feel the energy from fans and students throughout the matches, and it brings a different level of intensity out of us on the court.

It also feels like we've built a real family inside that gym. There's a connection between the team, the staff, and the crowd that makes it more than just a venue; it's a shared space. When we step onto the court in the Bren, it feels like everyone is part of what we're creating, and it's a gift we feel lucky to honor every time we play there.

Have there been any defining moments for you on or off the court while at UCI?
We've had several instances this year where we've been down, but our mental resilience and constant fight has brought us back. One moment I'll never forget was the comeback against Pepperdine when we were down 10–18 in the second set. It showed that no matter the score, we trust our preparation and each other to find a way back.

Favorite class at UCI?
My favorite classes at UCI have been the Math 130 series, which is the probability sequence. As a Business Economics and Applied Mathematics double major, it really combines the subjects I enjoy the most. I've always been drawn to the analytical side of math, and probability is fun to study for me because it connects risk and decision-making. I think that is part of the reason I was drawn to becoming a setter. You're constantly making decisions with incomplete information and trying to put your team in the best possible position. 

What are your career aspirations?
After graduation, I'm hoping to pursue a career as a financial analyst. I'm really interested in roles that involve analyzing data in order to help inform investment decisions. My background in math has drawn me toward the analytical side of finance, where quantitative thinking and strategy come together.