Nov. 16, 2011

BERKELEY - While many fans are present at Haas Pavilion, vociferously cheering on their California volleyball team, they are not present for the pre-match preparations that go on with the Golden Bears. CalBears.com caught up with volleyballers to find out exactly how they spend their time before matches.

Elly Barrett:
"Before matches I always eat a Luna Bar. On the way to matches I usually listen to Beyoncé, something country or Explosions in the Sky."

Kat Brown:
"After serve and pass, I eat at training table with the team for lunch and then come back to my apartment. When I'm at my apartment, I always watch some shows like `The Office' or `How I Met Your Mother,' and then I take a little nap. When I'm walking to the gym, I recently have been listening to Kanye West, Jay Z and Beyoncé. I always eat a Luna Bar when we are in the locker room getting ready."

Jennifer Carey:
"I like the anticipation and build up that comes with game day. I like seeing the team in the morning for serve and pass and then eating our pregame meal together. As for the rest of the day, we watch video, look over the scouting report, talk volley with the other coaches. By about 4:30 p.m., we are all jonesing for something sweet so usually there is either a Starbucks or Yogurt Park run."

Lindsay Elgin:
"I don't really have any superstitions; in fact I'm quite the opposite. I don't care what order I put my shoes on or recite goals. I rely on the greatness of my teammates. In terms of pre-match music, I'm really weird with music. I like just about everything from Metallica to the new techno DJ no one's ever heard of. My latest obsession though is epic music - the stuff movie trailers are made of. Clashing drums and dramatic vocals; if you listen to this working out or warming up you'll feel like you're going to save the world. My recent faves are Protectors of the Earth by Two Steps from Hell, Energy by Cave and Prey (Megara vs. DJ Lee remix), Storm by Craig Armstrong, Boom by POD."

Rich Feller:
"Depending on how much time I have allowed myself before a match I will: 1. Work out while either listening to a book on tape or watching a recorded TV show 2. Close the door to my office and listen to music (Green Day, One Republic, Snow Patrol, Cold Play, etc.) 3. Dress in match attire without the tie. Talk to the team pre-game and then put the tie on before entering Haas."

Christina Higgins:
"I don't have any pre-match rituals, but I usually eat a banana shortly before every match. I usually listen to rap or dub step before every match."

Correy Johnson:
"I always try to have a pre-game nap, although that sometimes isn't possible. And then I usually just put my iPod on shuffle. But I like listening to songs based on what I need. If I need to get pumped up, I listen to songs like `All of the Lights' and `Pump up the Jam.' But if I feel a little too pumped, I listen to more country songs by Taylor Swift."

Lauren Loerch:
"It is not that I'm superstitious, I just have a game-day routine. For every game day, I have a special shirt that I always wear during the whole day, and I only wear it on game days. Also, I wear the same knee pads that I have written on that say `Play for the Lord.' On the way to matches, I have recently been listening to Christmas music, but I usually listen to Third Day and Lecrae."

Tarah Murrey:
"I don't really have any particular pregame rituals. I usually take a nap. Right before the match I make eye contact with my parents, and my mom smiles and gives me a nod of her head and my dad puts his fist over his heart and points at me. I love that. That's been going on since last year. Sometimes I'll listen to music; sometimes I don't. There's nothing ritualistic about it. I'll listen to some relaxing Hawaiian music by Ekolu or sometimes gospel (Kirk Franklin), a little Lil Wayne or Rick Ross."

Robin Rostratter:
"On game days, I walk to the gym and listen to my iPod. Also, we all go over our scouting report, and we write down personal goals and talk about our team goals in the locker room. In the locker room, we listen to Kanye, Beyoncé, Lil Wayne. Currently I will listen to some Christmas music on my walk to Haas."