Meet the Newcomers: Vani Tatoulian
August 25, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
#13 Vani Tatoulian
Year: Freshman
Height: 6-3
Position: Middle Blocker
Hometown: La Cañada Flintridge, Calif.
High School: La Cañada HS
Major: Undeclared
Vani Tatoulian is a 6-foot-3 middle blocker out of La Cañada High School. Last year, she led the Spartans to the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 Championship. Vani was named the 2025 CIF-SS Player of the Year and the Rio Hondo League MVP. She was also a first-team all-league selection as a junior.
When and how did you get started playing volleyball?
I started playing volleyball when I was 10 years old, and I got started because my sister was playing volleyball.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
I played practically every other sport you could think of from swim to soccer to tennis.
What made you stick with volleyball?
I really loved the team aspect of volleyball and how every single point is exciting.
Did you have a favorite player or anyone you looked up to growing up?
My favorite player and the person I looked up to in volleyball was my sister, who is three years older than me. She was very hard-working and they called her the hammer in high school because she had a killer arm swing.
Why UCI?
UC Irvine was everything I was looking for in a school with the location and the (volleyball) program. It is such an amazing program; the coaches are very good and they care so much about their athletes. The family culture here stood out to me, and I immediately felt like I was home when I came here. Also, both my parents went to UC Irvine so I grew up coming to campus for homecoming and other alumni events. I've always had UCI as my dream school.
Did your parents have a big influence on your decision to come to UC Irvine?
They always wanted one of their kids to go to UC Irvine and the fact that I'm going here, and playing volleyball, means the world to them. They are very happy that I'm here.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I'm most looking forward to winning. I love winning, that feeling is like no other. I'm also looking forward to all the home games in the Bren, they will be very fun.
What is your favorite thing about Irvine so far?
My favorite thing so far about Irvine is volleyball. Playing volleyball and working out is my favorite thing in the world so the fact that I get to do it with a Division I program is such an incredible opportunity.
Year: Freshman
Height: 6-3
Position: Middle Blocker
Hometown: La Cañada Flintridge, Calif.
High School: La Cañada HS
Major: Undeclared
Vani Tatoulian is a 6-foot-3 middle blocker out of La Cañada High School. Last year, she led the Spartans to the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 Championship. Vani was named the 2025 CIF-SS Player of the Year and the Rio Hondo League MVP. She was also a first-team all-league selection as a junior.
When and how did you get started playing volleyball?
I started playing volleyball when I was 10 years old, and I got started because my sister was playing volleyball.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
I played practically every other sport you could think of from swim to soccer to tennis.
What made you stick with volleyball?
I really loved the team aspect of volleyball and how every single point is exciting.
Did you have a favorite player or anyone you looked up to growing up?
My favorite player and the person I looked up to in volleyball was my sister, who is three years older than me. She was very hard-working and they called her the hammer in high school because she had a killer arm swing.
Why UCI?
UC Irvine was everything I was looking for in a school with the location and the (volleyball) program. It is such an amazing program; the coaches are very good and they care so much about their athletes. The family culture here stood out to me, and I immediately felt like I was home when I came here. Also, both my parents went to UC Irvine so I grew up coming to campus for homecoming and other alumni events. I've always had UCI as my dream school.
Did your parents have a big influence on your decision to come to UC Irvine?
They always wanted one of their kids to go to UC Irvine and the fact that I'm going here, and playing volleyball, means the world to them. They are very happy that I'm here.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I'm most looking forward to winning. I love winning, that feeling is like no other. I'm also looking forward to all the home games in the Bren, they will be very fun.
What is your favorite thing about Irvine so far?
My favorite thing so far about Irvine is volleyball. Playing volleyball and working out is my favorite thing in the world so the fact that I get to do it with a Division I program is such an incredible opportunity.
Players Mentioned
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