Q&A with Nicole Feliciano
5/14/2026
Nicole Feliciano is a three-year starter on the UC Irvine women’s volleyball team. This past fall, the 5-foot-10 setter played in 104 of 108 sets, leading the Anteaters in assists and ranking second on the team in digs. She helped the ‘Eaters qualify for their second-straight Big West Championship. Nicole made an immediate impact upon her arrival at UCI in 2023 when she was named the Big West Freshman of the Year. She has also set a strong example in the classroom, earning CSC Academic All-District and Big West Fall All-Academic honors.
Nicole has been a steady presence for the Anteaters since her freshman year and has continued to develop into a leader both on and off the court as she heads into her senior season in 2026-27.
What made you decide to come to UCI?
There is always the common answer of the “coaches, team, and culture,” which are all true, but for me, it was way deeper than that. You could see the love that the girls had for each other and how they were all so connected. Seeing how in-sync and like-minded the team was showed me that these girls were not just playing for themselves. They knew they were playing for a team and for each other.
What does it mean to you to play your college career close to home?
It means so much to me. I don’t think I could’ve imagined my college career any other way. I knew that I wanted my future to be here in California and with the familiarity of the area it was such a nice transition. I think the biggest thing for me is family. To be able to see and feel the support of my family at the games means so much to me. They are the best and I love them so much.
With your early success as 2023 Big West Freshman of the Year, how do you feel you've grown since then?
I feel like when I was a freshman there was no pressure. You are a freshman, and no one expects too much from you. So, I really was just playing with my heart. With my love of volleyball continuing to grow since then, I’ve found that I’ve developed in truly playing for the team. Sometimes, it might not always be the best volleyball I’ve played, and those days will happen, but I always knew that I wanted to give my all for my team and see them succeed. Being a setter, that’s what it’s really all about!
What advice or habits for maintaining academic-athletic balance do you have for others?
Some advice that I’d give to others for finding that balance between athletics and academics is to not be too hard on yourself. Being a performing athlete, I always tried to do so in the classroom as well. It is always good to do your best in your classes, but it’s also important to make sure to give time for yourself. It sounds a lot easier than it is. You are still living the only life you’ll get, so make it memorable. Give yourself breaks, because those are the things that will energize you the most to get things done.
How do you approach building trust and chemistry with different hitters, especially when new players join the rotation each year?
This is always such a tough thing to do because with the incoming players and even with the players that remain from last year's team, every year is a “new” team. There is a new feel of culture, new personalities, new drills, and new scheduling. So, it is always a challenge. The best way I try to go about it is by staying connected even when we are away from each other. I’ve texted new and old teammates in the summer to check in. I always want to make sure that if the girls need help, they have someone to go to and ask questions. I don’t want them to feel they are starting college or going through college by themselves.
What advice would you give to young volleyball players who hope to play collegiately?
I’d say to keep working hard, especially with your head down. In life, there is always someone who is better than you. So, make sure that what you are doing is always to your best ability. You should never think that you are at your peak athleticism. There is always room to grow as a player on the court and as a player in your mind.
What do you think is one trait or skill that is important for successful setters to possess?
A very important trait for setters to be successful is being decisive. You always have to be thinking strategy and as a setter you have to keep track of EVERYTHING that is going on the court. Not only what your side is supposed to be doing but also the other side and their tendencies and blocking schemes, and so much more. So, in order to beat out your opponent, you sometimes have to make quick calls and strong decisions that you know will lead to your team’s success. Doing your job allows your teammates to have that success, which is so much more rewarding. Nothing beats getting your hitter one on one and they demolish the ball!
What is the biggest lesson you learned this year - either about the game or yourself - that you will carry into your final season?
Something that I learned this past season that I will for sure be carrying into my last one is the idea and act of playing with heart. One of my club coaches always told us to have “heart plays” for each match we played. These were plays where someone had a great, smart swing on a long rally that won us the point. A great save. Things like that. He was absolutely right about heart plays. What I’ve realized, though, is that every play for me is a heart play. I reminisce about all the touches that got me to this point. So, my emphasis is to truly be leaving it all on the court with my heart for every single play.
What do you want your legacy to be for the women’s volleyball program, both on and off the court?
On the court, I want the legacy of the women's volleyball program to be competitive. I want us to have that fiery fight in us where, even as underdogs, you can feel the absolute want and need to get after it. It doesn’t matter if we play the top or the bottom team. The fight and fire are still the same. I want us to be hard working no matter the circumstance, giving it our all every play while showcasing our creativity each game.
Everything that happens on the court reflects what will happen to us in our lives. Challenges will come your way, and you will have to learn how to navigate them. So, our legacy off the court will always include the culture of having high standards while still feeling valued and accountable for our accomplishments. Overall, it comes down to representing something bigger than ourselves and doing it with the right mindset.
What has been your favorite memory as an Anteater?
My favorite memory as an Anteater was our trip to Bakersfield last season. It wasn’t even necessarily the win of the match, but the comradery on that trip. I don’t know what happened, but we all were so in sync. I think we played about 50 mafia games on the bus, in the hotel, and on the bus ride back. I just remember feeling so much joy in my heart and loving where I was. My teammates, coaches, trainers, everyone was such a joy to be around, and it felt like actual sparkles were flying around in the air. This trip showed again that college volleyball isn’t just about the sport itself, and it is truly so much more. Every person I’ve shared time with on the UCI volleyball team will always be a part of me. I couldn’t have asked for better teammates, staff, trainers, advisors, and all those who support us.
