Feb. 2, 2009

BERKELEY - The California women's water polo team is off to a perfect 7-0 start to the 2009 season, partially in thanks to redshirt freshman goalkeeper Stephanie Peckham. Peckham redshirted the 2008 season due to injury and has started her Cal career very successfully, already notching 63 saves in seven games of work. She recently grabbed a new career-high of 12 saves in the 9-7 win over No. 9 UC Davis on Feb. 2. CalBears.com recently talked with Peckham, the Feb. 2 MPSF Player of the Week, to learn more about her life in and out of the pool.

CalBears.com: How does playing at the college level compare to playing in high school and at the club level?
SP: "Playing at the college level is a lot different from high school. The game is so faster and more intense. Every team is very talented, so the competition during season is high. As a goalie, you have to really focus on the ball and do your best to keep the ball out of the goal."

CalBears.com: During the off-season, how do you spend your free time?
SP: "In the off-season, I spend a lot of time with my friends and family. I love just hanging out, listening to music, and watching TV. I'm also a huge hockey fan. My family and I go to Anaheim Ducks games all the time, which is so much fun. Other than that, I love playing water polo any chance I get!"

CalBears.com: If you could be anyone else for a day, who would you be and why?
SP: "If I could be anyone else for one day, I would want to be Jerry Bruckheimer. I think it would be awesome to be one of the most brilliant producers in both television and film today."

CalBears.com: What are the most played songs on your iPod?
SP: "`Thunderstruck' by AC/DC, `Sweet Child O' Mine' by Guns N' Roses, and `Crystal Baller' by Third Eye Blind play a lot on my iPod. I can't go anywhere without my iPod, so these songs are played over and over again!"

CalBears.com: Do you prefer Northern or Southern California and why?
SP: "Although I enjoy going to school in Northern California, "SoCal" will always be my home. I'm from Orange County, so I love the sun, the beach, and the laid-back feel of Southern California."

CalBears.com: When did you become interested in water polo?
SP: "When I was younger, I was really involved in both soccer and swimming. My older sister started playing water polo in high school, so I decided to give it a try too - I always had to do everything she did. I liked how it was a combination of basketball, soccer, and hockey, but all in the water. I started playing in eighth grade and I've been in love with it ever since."

CalBears.com: How do you go about balancing athletics and academics?
SP: "Since I swam and played water polo in high school, I am used to the balancing act of playing a sport and going to school. It really is all about time management. By staying organized and prioritizing, it is relatively simple to get everything done."

CalBears.com: What were your initial impressions of Berkeley?
SP: "When I first visited Berkeley, I experienced a major culture shock. But after about 10 minutes, I knew that it was where I belonged. I love everything about Berkeley. The academic prestige, school spirit, beautiful campus, and my incredible team made it such an easy decision for me to come here."

CalBears.com:In the last women's water polo Q&A, Erika Hanson wanted the next women's water polo student-athlete to answer, what makes Cal so special?
SP: "Cal is such a special place. It offers great academics, top notch athletics, and a supportive atmosphere to help you mature. Everyone here is so friendly and it is such a great feeling going back home and hearing someone yell "Go Bears!" when I'm wearing a Cal t-shirt. The amount of school spirit here and across the nation makes it truly one of the most unique and amazing universities in the world."

CalBears.com: What question would you want the next women's water polo athlete to answer?
SP: "If you could pick one place in the world to travel to, where would it be and why?"