SALT LAKE CITY, UT – This is a story that rises above competition, an example that respect between opponents doesn't have to be mutually exclusive with winning and losing.

When Arizona State volleyball star Macey Gardner set the Sun Devils' all-time kills record against Cal on Oct. 4, it was the culmination of an afternoon filled with anticipation at ASU's Wells Fargo Arena. The fans in the stands were counting down the number of kills Gardner needed to reach the record, and when she finally registered the record-breaking kill, the arena erupted with emotion.

Her kill gave Arizona State a 22-18 lead in the third set, putting the Sun Devils three points away from a sweep of the Bears. It may have been a good time for a timeout anyway, but that was only part of the reason Cal head coach Rich Feller stopped play.

“I was aware she was getting close to the record – (ASU coach Jason Watson) and talked about it before the game,” Feller said. “When she got that kill, the place exploded. I realized it was a great time for a timeout. It was partly to let the crowd enjoy it and let Arizona State fans savor the moment, and let Macey have a couple of seconds or so on the bench. But it was also to prevent distractions for our team with all the extra noise.”

Feller was informed before the game that Arizona State didn't have any plans to stop the game for any type of special ceremony if Gardner notched the record-setting kill. But Feller quickly realized it would be hard for both teams to play the next point with the emotion overflowing in the arena.

“It allowed them to celebrate, and it allowed us to settle down,” Feller said. “Everybody benefitted.”

Feller's gesture wasn't lost on Gardner's family. A few days after Gardner set the record, Feller received a handwritten note from Holli Gardner, Macey's mother.

“It wasn't like the ref was going to call a timeout and they would have a little celebration,” Gardner said. “Someone was going to serve the next point and that would be that. It was like getting a bowl of vanilla ice cream, but what Coach Feller did was give us the fudge, nuts and cherries. It was so classy. We all became Cal Bear fans at that moment.”

Breaking the ASU kills record was the beginning of an emotional week for Gardner. In the Sun Devils' next match following the contest with Cal, she tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee and will miss the rest of the season.

“Honestly, that made what Coach Feller did that much more special,” Gardner said. “A timeout is only about a minute, but he gave us that minute. We were able to enjoy and savor that moment.”

Feller has gotten to know Gardner a little bit from coaching against her for four years and spending time with her at the U.S. National Team tryouts last winter. Upon hearing the news that Gardner had suffered a season-ending injury in ASU's next match, he suggested the Bears send her a card. Every Cal player and coach signed the card, which was sent off to Gardner last week.

“I know her a little bit and have seen her personality,” Feller said. “I felt for her. You can see from her court demeanor, Macey is just a good human being. She's humble, talented and a great teammate. We wanted to send her some sort of card wishing her the best.”

The Bears host the Sun Devils at Haas Pavilion on Oct. 29.