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(4) Carli Lloyd
Cal Volleyball: USA National Team Tryouts (via calathletics)
From BTown85: "The anchor of Cal's Pac-10 Champion women's v-ball team and National POY, leading the Golden Bears to the NCAA Finals only to lose (again) to Penn St. What a stud !!!!"
She is only the second player in Cal women's volleyball history to be a three-time All-American, and the only setter to win AA honors. This past year, she led the Bears to a program best 30-win season, their first-ever Pac-10 championship, and their first-ever national championship match. In recognition for her amazing play, she was also named the National AVCA Player of the Year. She is the first Cal woman to ever earn this prestigious award.
This interview with the Daily Cal reflects her winner's mentality:
"Carli Lloyd and Meagan Schmitt, the lone seniors on the Cal volleyball team, were taking a walk on Sunday night, only hours after the NCAA tournament bracket was released.
The cool, crisp November air seemed to hint at the end of the season, the end of the year ... but also the beginning of a new one.
Suddenly Schmitt stopped. She turned to her friend and roommate and asked her if she would be satisfied with getting to the final four, like they did as freshmen in 2007.
"Would that be enough for you?" she inquired.Lloyd looked at her and answered with the intensity that has become her trademark quality in four years at Cal.
"Absolutely not," she said. "I can't imagine anything other than winning.""
As a representative for the US, she helped Team USA win two gold medals and bronze medal. She is the only three-time selection to the USA A2 National team in the program's history. Now that she has graduated, Carli is working out with the U.S. Women's National Training Team in hopes of making the 2012 Olympic team.
Carli ended up making the team as an alternate and is well positioned to take a prominent position on the national team in the future.
Carli Lloyd and Tarah Murrey (via thedailycal)
(13) Patrick Christopher
Patrick Christopher (via orkinmanp)
PC was recalled fondly by many Golden Bear fans who watched his excellent four-year career unfold.
Patrick! Every time we play, I check to see if Pat is on. When he's on, I sit back, relax, and know we'll be in good hands. When he's off...well, at least Randle and Theo usually pick up the slack. But aside from basketball, Patrick just has so much character that it's hard to be mad at him even when he's not having a good game. I sure hope he gets a shot at the pros and develops his game to be more consistent. I'm going to miss checking his sneakers to see if he's found a new pair to play in. ~CaliforniaBone
Someone who really would have benefited from 4 years under Monty. Had all the tools to be a dominant player, yet only showed them occasionally. Almost too nice of a guy to be an elite-level athlete. This year felt more like he was starting to figure things out and would just kill it next year. ~Kodiak
What people will miss the most about PC:
Hammer time on the alley-oops and a shoe collection ~LeonPoweI don't think I've seen a smoother jumpshot. And oh, those alley-oops. ~Ed Yevelev
obviously his athleticism, but he's just a good hearted guy and just very outgoing and easy to approach. Just a cool dude. ~nickle
his fashion sense above and below the rim (hope that taped up knee is ready for the Elite 8, LBJ Jr!) ~Thoroughbred
The step-back J is pretty darn sweet when it's on. ~Kodiak
The high flying dunks and great nature ~geebear