Meet the Newcomers: Tata Vongfak
August 26, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
#43 Tata Vongfak
Year: Freshman
Height: 5-3
Position: Libero/Defensive Specialist
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
High School: Marlborough HS
Major: Undeclared
Tata Vongfak is a 5-foot-3 libero from Los Angeles. She was a three-time all-league selection at Marlborough High School. Tata, who averaged 4.0 digs per set as a senior, led her team to the 2025 CIF-Southern Section Division 4 quarterfinals. She played club for San Gabriel Elite.
How did you get started playing volleyball?
My cousin got me into volleyball. I went to the same club as her and started out in this little Ladybugs program, then from there I started playing every single day and fell in love with the sport.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
No, volleyball was my first sport when I started playing at eight years old.
Did you have a favorite volleyball player growing up?
Honestly, it had to be my cousin. She was there for me when I first started out and was always my biggest inspiration. She is playing at La Verne now.
Why UCI?
I love the coaches and the team culture is amazing; everyone here is really nice. The campus itself is beautiful. And it's close to home but still far enough away that it feels like I'm kind of going out on my own.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I'm really looking forward to making memories and connections with the team.
What is your favorite thing about Irvine so far?
My favorite thing about Irvine so far is how clean everything is and how close we are to Newport. The area is just really pretty.
What is something people may not know about you?
I am trilingual, I also speak Thai and Mandarin. I'm Thai but I grew up in Chinatown and went to a dual language program so ended up learning Mandarin too.
Year: Freshman
Height: 5-3
Position: Libero/Defensive Specialist
Hometown: Los Angeles, Calif.
High School: Marlborough HS
Major: Undeclared
Tata Vongfak is a 5-foot-3 libero from Los Angeles. She was a three-time all-league selection at Marlborough High School. Tata, who averaged 4.0 digs per set as a senior, led her team to the 2025 CIF-Southern Section Division 4 quarterfinals. She played club for San Gabriel Elite.
How did you get started playing volleyball?
My cousin got me into volleyball. I went to the same club as her and started out in this little Ladybugs program, then from there I started playing every single day and fell in love with the sport.
Did you play any other sports growing up?
No, volleyball was my first sport when I started playing at eight years old.
Did you have a favorite volleyball player growing up?
Honestly, it had to be my cousin. She was there for me when I first started out and was always my biggest inspiration. She is playing at La Verne now.
Why UCI?
I love the coaches and the team culture is amazing; everyone here is really nice. The campus itself is beautiful. And it's close to home but still far enough away that it feels like I'm kind of going out on my own.
What are you most looking forward to this season?
I'm really looking forward to making memories and connections with the team.
What is your favorite thing about Irvine so far?
My favorite thing about Irvine so far is how clean everything is and how close we are to Newport. The area is just really pretty.
What is something people may not know about you?
I am trilingual, I also speak Thai and Mandarin. I'm Thai but I grew up in Chinatown and went to a dual language program so ended up learning Mandarin too.
Players Mentioned
L/DS
/ Women's VolleyballWednesday, August 26
Tuesday, August 25
Thursday, August 20
Wednesday, August 19
