Jan. 24, 2011

BERKELEY - CalBears.com will help you get to know a freshman on the California softball team, and this week's participant is Alex Robben. A NorCal native, Robben comes to Berkeley by way of Napa. At Napa High School, she helped her softball team to two Monticello Empire League Championships and was twice named to the All-State team and Napa County player of the year. A four-time all-MEL softball player, she also had a two-year stint on the basketball team. Alex is the second Robben child who is a collegiate softball student-athlete after her sister, Ricci, played at Wisconsin. Upon talking to Alex, one of my most notable things is that she broke her hand but was ready to practice when fall ball started.

CalBears.com: What made you chose Cal?
Alex Robben: I chose Cal because I wanted to compete at a high level for softball and get the best education I could for my future.

CalBears.com: What are your hobbies outside of softball?
AR: Outside of softball I love amusement parks and love the beach!

CalBears.com: Do you have any unique stories about yourself that set you apart from your teammates?
AR: The summer before college, I broke my hand and still managed to start practice on time. A line drive came back at me.

CalBears.com: What's your favorite part about Berkeley and/or the Cal campus?
AR: My favorite part is the variety Berkeley has.

CalBears.com: What is the best thing about being a part of Cal softball?
AR: The best part is the team itself.

CalBears.com: What has been your favorite part about college life so far?
AR: My favorite part about college is meeting new people and being on my own.

CalBears.com: What are you planning on or thinking of majoring in?
AR: I am thinking about majoring in American studies.

CalBears.com: What has been the hardest, most surprising aspect about transitioning from high school to college?
AR: The work load is a lot bigger and you have to take responsibility for yourself. You do not get reminded of homework anymore. You have to keep track of it on your own.

CalBears.com: What class did you most enjoy in the fall?
AR: I am enjoying SAGE (Student Achievement Guided by Experience) and also Gender and Women's Studies 14.

CalBears.com: Now that you're into your second semester of college, what advice do you wish someone had told you about college or would you give to incoming student-athletes?
AR: Meet new people. Get out of your comfort zone and explore. Keep up in your readings because if you do not you will have late nights ahead of you.

CalBears.com: What characteristic in people do you most admire?
AR: I love good listeners and a good sense of humor.

CalBears.com: Who would you want to be stranded on a deserted island with?
AR: I would want to be stuck with my best friend Mollie.

CalBears.com: Who is your biggest hero?
AR: My biggest hero is my mom; she is my best friend.

CalBears.com: When you were a little kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
AR: When I was really young I wanted to be a bagger for a grocery store and then I wanted to be a dentist.

CalBears.com: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?
AR: I would buy a black with tan interior Range Rover.

CalBears.com: What is one thing you can't live without?
AR: I cannot live without my cell phone.