A native of San Jose who played at Columbia (NY) for her first two years, senior Caitlin Brenton transferred to UC San Diego last season and made a big impression on her new team. A first-team All-CCAA selection after pounding 315 kills and racking up 109 total blocks and 182 digs as a junior, she figures to be a major factor for the Tritons again this fall. “Caitlin has continued to amaze me,” says fifth-year Triton head coach Ricci Luyties. “She's always been a good hitter and blocker, but from last year to this year, she's become so much better at everything else. She also kind of surprised me last year with her leadership skills, and she's now one of our team captains. Caitlin is definitely a player who will be a key to our success this season.” On the eve of the 2014 campaign, Brenton shared her thoughts on a variety of topics.
Q: How does it feel to be coming into your final season and being the only senior on the 2014 Triton squad?
BRENTON: It still sounds weird to say that I am a senior. Although I am the only senior in terms of eligibility, Rachel Gam is also a senior, and Alyssa Lin will be graduating a year early, so we are all in our last season. For now, I am in a little bit of denial that this is my last season, so I'm just trying to soak it all in and enjoy it.
Q: You played your first two collegiate seasons at Columbia and were second-team All-Ivy League as a sophomore. What led you to leave New York and why did you wind up at UC San Diego?
BRENTON: I was unhappy with my overall experience at Columbia as well as the East Coast, so I wanted to come home to California. I was looking for a school that would still provide a top-notch experience in terms of both academics and athletics. I came on a last-minute visit to UC San Diego and fell in love. The academic reputation of the school is outstanding, and Coach Luyties is incredible. It was a perfect fit for me.
Q: How did you find the adjustment, volleyball and otherwise, when you got to La Jolla?
BRENTON: I found it very easy to transition to the program at UC San Diego. Everyone on the team was so welcoming, and I have had an incredibly positive experience with the coaches here. I was able to immediately start learning from Coach Luyties, and have improved so much since I first arrived here. Both schools are definitely academically oriented, so I found that classes were an easy transition, too.
Q: You were a first-team All-CCAA selection and earned All-West Region honorable mention as a junior. Did that surprise you, particularly since you started the season trying to recover from a broken finger?
BRENTON: I really had no idea what to expect coming into the season last year. I knew that our team had been very successful within our conference and Division II overall, but didn't know how the level of play would stack up. I have found that the CCAA is actually a little more competitive than the Ivy League, and I have really enjoyed the challenge of that.
I wasn't too worried about having a broken finger since I also had a different broken finger during my sophomore season. Fortunately, we have an amazing staff in our Athletic Training Room, and they got me back on the court very quickly. I took some time off from hitting, which allowed me to work on some other skills, like setting. My finger ended up not being too much of an issue, and after a bit of a slow start, I was really able to hit my stride partway through the season.
Q: You finished 2013 on a hot streak, leading the team in kills seven times in the last eight matches and averaging 16.5 kills and nearly 12 digs over that stretch while also piling up five solo blocks and 29 block assists. Do you feel like you're ready to pick up in 2014, right where you left off last season?
BRENTON: I do. Preseason has been going really well, and practice has been a lot of fun. (Setter) Heidi (Sierks) and I have been connecting really well, so I'm excited to get started with the season and see how our opening tournament goes (this) weekend.
Q: The team is essentially replacing three starters - Sara McCutchan, Sophie Rowe and Brittany Lombardi - from last year's 26-6 squad. After nearly two weeks of training, how confident are you in the new lineup?
BRENTON: We will definitely miss Sara, Sophie and Brittany, but I am confident that people are going to step up and fill their roles. We have quite a few returners who have really improved in the last year and are ready to take over starting positions, as well as some freshmen who are poised to make a difference on the court. I know that in 2013, I was the only new addition to the starting lineup, so not much had changed since 2012 in terms of chemistry and learning to play well with those seven people.
This year, we will have a very different starting seven, so right now we are working to build that chemistry again and really gel as a group. Hopefully, our tournament in Washington will be helpful in solidifying that chemistry and getting us ready to start conference play.
Q: What three words best describe your head coach, Ricci Luyties? How does he compare with previous coaches you've had?
BRENTON: Fun, knowledgeable, competitive. He is definitely one of the favorite coaches I've ever had, if not my No. 1 favorite. I have learned so much from him in such a short time. I've had a lot of coaches throughout my career, but I don't think any have been as knowledgeable about the game as Coach Luyties.
Q: Who is your favorite volleyball player? Is there an athlete from another sport you admire?
BRENTON: Oddly enough, I don't really have a favorite volleyball player. As for athletes from other sports, I would have to say (New York Yankees shortstop) Derek Jeter. Even though I am definitely a (San Francisco) Giants fan, you can't help but respect Jeter. Not only is he one of the best players of all-time, but he also really seems like a genuinely good person. He has managed to stay grounded throughout his career, and I think that's been very evident in the number of tributes paid to him by other teams as he retires this season.
Q: You're an economics major at Revelle College. What drew you to that course of study? What, if anything, has surprised you in the classes you've taken?
BRENTON: I took an AP Economics class in high school and I really enjoyed it. I love the logic behind it and like thinking critically and analytically about the world. I was initially surprised by the amount of math involved in each of my classes, but I have almost learned to like it.
Q: In your bio, you list cooking as one of your hobbies. What are a couple of your specialties? Are you the best cook on the team?
BRENTON: I make some killer braised short ribs, and I love to make lava cakes. For special occasions, I make a chocolate mousse dessert that is layered with brownies and Heath bars. I usually only bring that one out for birthdays. During the week, Katy (Woodward) and I get together to make dinner a lot. I think the two of us make a pretty great team.
Q: In your estimation, what will be the key to success for the 2014 Triton women's volleyball team?
BRENTON: Right now, we are focusing on solidifying our starting lineup. That will be an important step in the right direction. Passing and defense are always key, of course. Once those are going smoothly, it is easy for the offense to fall into place.
It will also be very important for us to do well in our first tournament this weekend. The national rankings will be largely determined by this weekend and will continue to be important through the NCAA postseason tournament. If we can do well this weekend, we will set ourselves up for success throughout the rest of the regular season and beyond.
Previous Triton Q&A Features
Michelle Yasutake (Women's Soccer) August 25, 2014
Sabrina Pimentel (Women's Track & Field) April 25, 2014
Nick La Face (Baseball) April 3, 2014
Emily McQuaid (Softball) March 27, 2014
Sarah Lizotte (Women's Water Polo) March 19, 2014
Nicholas Korth (Men's Swimming) March 2, 2014
Megan Perry (Women's Basketball) January 13, 2014
Sandy Hon (Women's Swimming) December 30, 2013
Drew Dyer (Men's Basketball) November 26, 2013
Kameron Cooper (Women's Volleyball) October 28, 2013
Rachel Leslie (Women's Soccer) October 9, 2013
Marie Diaz (Women's Cross Country/Track & Field) October 1, 2013
Joe Dietrich (Men's Water Polo) September 2, 2013
Josh Cohen (Men's Soccer) August 23, 2013
Sara McCutchan (Women's Volleyball) August 9, 2013
Kellen Levy (Men's Cross Country/Track & Field) July 26, 2013
Izzy Pozurama (Women's Soccer) July 8, 2013
Colin Truex (Women's Crew Head Coach) June 28, 2013
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