Fab Five: Cindy Tran

Photographs have the ability to capture important pieces of our past and help us recall people, places, feelings, and memories that made an impact on our lives. For many scholar-athletes, pictures secure those special moments and assist in making their collegiate careers last forever.

In a feature called “Fab Five”, Triton scholar-athletes are tasked to pick five of their favorite photos throughout their career to be highlighted on UCSDtritons.com.

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Today, Cindy Tran, a middle blocker on the women's volleyball team, shares her collection.

Cindy transferred to UC San Diego from Concordia Irvine in 2018 as a junior. She wasted no time making an impact, earning All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Honorable Mention. As the only Triton to start all 23 of the team's matches, Cindy led the squad in service aces, was second in blocks, and third in kills, digs, and points.

The 2019 season, Cindy's senior campaign, never fully materialized as she injured her knee in a preseason exhibition match at Cal State Fullerton. She was forced to redshirt and postpone her final season of play until the 2020-21 academic year.

A human biology major out of UC San Diego's Warren College, Cindy is interested in attending med school and becoming a pediatrician.   

1. For the Love of the Game

This match against Cal State LA in 2018 was one of my favorites to play because of the atmosphere in the arena. It was an intense five-set match that we gave our all for. This photo shows the passion and heart we all have for the game and it captures the intensity we all give to every match and the drive and determination we have to compete and succeed. It's moments like this that we play for and remind us why we love the sport.

2. Whatever it Takes

Issa (setter Isabela Dobra) laying out for a pancake! I really like this photo because it captures how this team gives 100% effort every time we step foot in the arena. We are hungry to be better. This team works hard on and off the court and it's rewarding to look back at photos capturing moments like this where we can see all those hours of practice pay off. When you're on the court, your only objective is to keep the ball off the ground and I love how this shot captures the fact that this team will do whatever it takes and give it their all to make sure that happens.

3. Family Ties

This past season we had a very special group and I think that this photo captures it well. Going into college, one of the worries is making new friends and being around new people while having to start over. However, UC San Diego gave me a family. Everyone has each other's backs and at the end of the day we all just want to see one another succeed in both volleyball and life. It didn't matter who was on the court physically because we are all one team with the same goal. This photo shows the genuine happiness and support system we had.

4. In the Stands

These are the moments we play for. We all wear UC San Diego on our backs and it is a privilege to represent the school and we work hard to earn it. I chose this photo because it captures the unity and support system of the school having so many athletes, students, families, and alumni come together to watch us play the sport we love. The fans make our matches fun and enjoyable. Without them, competing would not be the same. When we have so many fans in the stands heckling the other team and cheering for us (shout-out to other Triton teams and the UC San Diego Pep Band!), the atmosphere becomes lighter and it makes playing the game more relaxing. We are able to be in the moment and have fun while competing to win. It takes a lot of the pressure off when you have such a great support system cheering you on.

5. The Final DII Team Photo 

This was the last team photo taken at the 2019 NCAA West Regionals before we competed. Although we did not have the finish we all wanted, this past year was a season to remember. We finished our time in NCAA Division 2 by accomplishing many of the goals we set out to achieve. We made it a point to qualify for the CCAA Tournament as well as regionals and we did just that. This team was special - from the coaching staff to each individual player - because we knew what we wanted and we worked hard to get 1% better every single time we set foot in the arena. To our coaches, I would like to say thank you because I would not be the player or person I am today without your support and guidance. I have learned so much from them in volleyball and in life and I cannot thank them enough for the encouragement they have given me this past season when I was out with a long-term injury. They are all so appreciated and we are incredibly lucky to be mentored by such an amazing and knowledgeable coaching staff.

Stay tuned for future editions of “Fab Five” from other UC San Diego scholar-athletes. Below are previous “Fab Five” collections: 

• Zeinab Torabi (women's track and field)
• Isabel Lavrov (softball)
• Cameron Leonard (baseball)
• Neil Tengbumroong (men's tennis)
• Sarah Proctor (women's rowing)
• Konami Masui (women's fencing)
• Natalie Widmer (women's soccer)
• Anu Bhadada (women's tennis)
• Calder Hilde-Jones (men's water polo)
• Jake Selstad (men's cross country/track and field)
   

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program begins a new era in 2020 as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide more than 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. In addition, 83 Tritons have been named Academic All-Americans, while 37 have earned prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 91 percent, one of the highest rates among institutions at all divisions. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.