Rich Feller's Bear Thoughts

Dec. 10, 2004

Diary Entries 2007 Season:  • Sept. 10  • Sept. 4  • Aug. 16 2006 Season:  • Sept. 19  • Sept. 11  • Aug. 16 2005 Season:  • Dec. 9  • Sept. 28  • April 15  • March 23 2004 Season:  • Dec. 10  • Nov. 29  • Nov. 1  • Oct. 18  • Oct. 11  • Oct. 4  • Sept. 28  • Sept. 22  • Sept. 9  • Aug. 4 2003 Season:  • Dec. 9  • Dec. 1  • Nov. 17  • Nov. 10  • Nov. 3  • Oct. 27  • Oct. 20  • Oct. 13  • Oct. 1  • Sept. 22  • Sept. 16  • Sept. 9  • Sept. 3

Hello Cal Volleyball Fans and Friends,

Well, this was a season to remember. There were numerous accomplishments and many highlights to look back on and feel very good about. Although we did not reach the Sweet Sixteen this year, considering some of the "speed bumps" that were placed in our way, we can be proud of our team.

Our seniors, Camille Leffall and Gabby Abernathy, finished their college careers with blazes of glory. Gabby finished with team-high 21 kills, while Camille chipped in 15 kills and a season-high 10 total blocks. Gabby finished her career with 1,224 kills; seventh on the Bears' all-time kills list, and only the ninth Cal player to ever record over 1,000 kills. Camille broke her own school record with a .384 hitting percentage this season, surpassing her .381 hitting percentage set as a freshman in 2001. She also is the school-record holder with a .363 career hitting percentage and broke the school-record for career blocks with 438. Camille has been chosen on the Pacific All-Region team and is a candidate for All-American. We will certainly miss our seniors. From where Cal volleyball started when they began their careers, to where we are now is an incredibly different place. Good luck to them both.

This team was competitive in every match they played this year. We never gave up and at times exceeded expectations. Sweeping USC on their home court and going five games with Stanford both matches, winning the home court match were certainly events to remember. Making the NCAA tournament for the third consecutive year and winning our first round match again shows evidence of the strength of our program. Because of this team's ability to adapt, their spirit and team camaraderie, I have to say this has been one of the most enjoyable teams to be around.

I'm ready for spring training to begin and preparing for next year. We should be starting right where we left off and moving upward again. Make sure you keep track of us in the off-season and look for us playing is a few tournaments around April. Until then….

Go Bears Rich Feller www.calbears.com. Tickets: 1-800-GO-BEARS