By Antonio Flowers
Staff Writer
The CSUDH women’s volleyball season ended last weekend, so it was only fitting that it honored five seniors in their final game. And though the Toros lost a tough five-set matchup to Cal State San Marcos (despite junior Tati Yandall’s career-high 25 kills), the seniors received a heartfelt celebration before the game, joined by friends and family.
One of the group, outside hitter Marissa Weber, said that something she and her fellow seniors worked at this season was to show the underclassmen how to play in one of the toughest conferences in the nation.
“I think it’s important to understand just the level of competition in this conference. It’s probably the most competitive conference in California,” Webber said.
Here are brief bios of each of the graduating seniors.
Marissa Weber
Weber has shown flashes of leadership in sets that seem to be the difference maker in winning matches. The outside hitter played the second line most of the season and finished fourth on the team in points. She played two years at CSUDH, after attending Butte College.
Weber, a business administration major, wants to be remembered at CSUDH as a leader and a passionate player who always put her teammates first.
“[ I want to be] Someone that the younger girls look up to,” Weber said. “I always try to give a 110% effort. Even when I faced adversity I still gave it my all and left my heart and soul on the court.”
Cathryn Lopez
Since stepping onto the CSUDH court, defensive specialist Cathryn Lopez has made her presence felt. She has led the team in total digs her four years at CSUDH and, after being named captain her sophomore year, grew into a mature leader
“It’s really important that you lead by example and that you gain that respect from people,” said Lopez, a criminal justice major who aspires to be an attorney. “I think my sophomore year I was put in a captain position and being younger of the captains I first wanted to gain that respect from my teammates. I wanted people to see how hard I was working for me, my teammates, and the program.”.
Lopez not only represented herself and her teammates on the court at CSUDH but represented her parents, who are CSUDH Alumni.
“It’s really important playing college knowing you represent something more than just yourself,” said Lopez. “You obviously want to keep that good name and represent as best as you can. And just knowing that and keeping that in mind is really important to me,” said Lopez.
Cecilia Lucas
Lucas has always been a display of raw athleticism, being a three-sport athlete in high school. Her athleticism helped the Toros anchor their defensive side.
Lucas dominated on the defensive side while compiling 51 blocks on the season to lead her team.
Lucas wants to be remembered for her selflessness, her passion and leadership role—as well as someone who represents the CSUDH community well on and off the court.
“I want to be remembered as someone who led by example and respected every player,” Lucas said. “It’s been a great four years. I love this program and I’m so sad to be leaving.”
Sarah Greenland
Greenland has been a force on the defensive side of the game with a career-high in digs against top conference opponents. Greenland always seemed to be ready when her number was called upon.
The senior made her presence felt immediately, exploding for a career-high of 24 digs against California State University at East Bay her freshman year.
Greenland, who was born in Tarzana and is a child development major, we had five games in her senior season with at least seven or more digs, with a season-high of 12 against California State University San Bernardino.
Breanna Boyd
The fill-in-any-void Ba Boyd played in over 100 matches in her time as a Toro. She had her best season as a defensive specialist during her freshman season with 109 digs, starting six of 22 matches. She also saved a career-high 13 balls against conference opponent California State East Bay.
As a sophomore, she played in over 26 sets and had at least two matches with at least seven digs.
As a junior, she played in over 48 sets and set a new career-high for herself against Saint Martin’s with 17 digs.
Her senior season Boyd, a kinesiology major, appeared in eight matches making her presence felt on the defensive side of the game. Though she only appeared in eight matches, she was honored for her devotion to the team by being named a starter on senior night.
