Goulden Nuggets: Prop Bets for Super Bowl MVP for Lynch, Vereen

Marshawn Lynch is listed as the third most likely to win the MVP award for Super Bowl XLIX

By cldpc Jan 22, 2015, 10:30am PST

Sand Volleyball

Cal's Sand Volleyball program looks to set a new standard

By Jonathan Okanes, Cal Athletic Communications

BERKELEY - The Cal sand volleyball team is ready to make history - again.

After playing the first season in program history last year, the Bears are set to embark on their first season using primarily sand-only student-athletes. Last year's team was almost wholly made up of players from the indoor squad. After bringing in the first recruiting class in school history, the 2015 team features almost exclusively sand-only players.

"We keep talking about it and keep saying that we're making history, so let's make it a good one," freshman Emily Shults said. "We have a great team and great coaches, and we want to build this program."

Women's Crew

California head women's crew coach Al Acosta has announced the Golden Bears' standout nine-member recruiting class.

Lacrosse

Join the California lacrosse team for a special meet and greet event at the Gordon Biersch Brewery in San Jose on Friday, Feb. 20, from 6-8 p.m. This event is open to all ages and all proceeds will support the program.

Come meet the team and enjoy complimentary food and beverages provided by Cal alumnus Dan Gordon and Gordon Biersch. For those that are interested, a tour of the brewery is available, as well. There will also be a silent auction benefiting Cal lacrosse.

The brewery is located at 357 E Taylor Street, San Jose, CA 95112

Women's Water Polo

#4 Cal travels to Santa Barbara to face off against UCSB, Azusa Pacific, Long Beach State, and Michigan State Friday and Saturday.

Freshman Carla Carrega was named MPSF Newcomver of the Week.

Swimming and Diving

With the start of the spring semester now underway, the No. 1-ranked Lady Golden Bears kick off the heart of their dual-meet schedule, starting with a Friday match-up at Arizona State at 12 noon PT and a visit to No. 14 Arizona Saturday. The Men's side of the program, ranked No. 2, also face off against the Sun Devils and the Wildcats.

Inside the Lair: Jasmine Mau Finds Supprt in Cal "Ohana"

By Herb Benenson, Athletic Communications

Each January, the members of the Cal women's swim team travel to Hawaii for 10 days of intense training to prepare for the heart of their season, as well as for the upcoming Pac-12 and NCAA Championships. Without the burden of classes early in the month, the Golden Bears take advantage of much of what the island of Oahu has to offer, including pool, beach and ocean workouts.

But on one morning every year, the Cal squad breaks from its busy schedule to offer a little back to the Hawaiian hosts and conducts a clinic for local age-group swimmers from Honolulu, providing tips and instruction to dozens of young girls and boys.

Men's Tennis

Fifteenth-ranked California hosts No. 21 Mississippi State, No. 27 North Carolina State and No. 30 Harvard in the ITA Kickoff Weekend from Friday to Saturday at the Hellman Tennis Complex.

Women's Tennis

Maegan Manasse collected the Pac-12 Women's Tennis Player of the Week honor this week after claiming the singles and - with Denise Starr - the doubles titles at the Cal Winter Invitational.

Softball

New Season, New Motivation

As the 2014 softball season came to an end, so did something else: the nation's longest active postseason streak, held by Cal softball and one of the game's winningest coaches in Diane Ninemire. For the first time in 29 seasons, Cal would not be playing for a trip to the Women's College World Series after a very atypical year for the Golden Bears.

Now, with just a little more than two weeks to the start of the 2015 season, last year's abnormal performance is fueling Ninemire's latest squad to reach its fullest potential and bring Cal back to its winning ways.

Men's Soccer

Seth Casiple was the third Golden Bear drafted in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft, after Connor Hallisey (#10, to Sporting KC) and Stefano Bonomo (#39 to the New York Red Bulls). Casiple was picked 84th overall by the Portland Timbers.