Ricci Luyties

Ricci Judson Luyties (born May 14, 1962) is an American volleyball coach and former volleyball player. As a member of the United States national volleyball team, he won a gold medal at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. Luyties later became a successful professional beach volleyball player and won seven titles. He was the head women's volleyball coach at the University of California, San Diego.

Early life

Luyties attended Palisades High School from 1976 through 1980. He was the Los Angeles’ Player of the Year. Luyties led his team to the city finals in 1979 and 1980, placing second to Westchester High School.

In the summer of 1980, Luyties joined the Junior National volleyball team and continued to play on it each summer until he joined the United States men's national volleyball team in 1985. He helped lead UCLA Bruins to four consecutive national titles and three straight league titles. Luyties also received all-conference honors in 1982 through 1984. and in 1996 his jersey (11) was retired at Pauley Pavilion. His jersey number was 9. Luyties was on the team as a backup setter, but took over for Jeff Stork after his injury.

Beach volleyball

Luyties played in his first beach tournament at Hermosa Beach, California in July 1983 with Steve Obradovich. Luyties obtained his first win in July 1988 at the AVP tour in Manhattan Beach, California with his partner, Karch Kiraly.

Luyties began his college-coaching career as an assistant at the University of Colorado.

Personal life Luyties graduated from UCLA in 1985 with a bachelor's degree in economics.

He met his wife, Lorie, at a beach volleyball tournament. They currently live in San Diego, California with their two daughters, Chloe and Lia.