Cindy Tran: A Study in Perseverance and Positivity

If you look through photos from UC San Diego's 2018 women's volleyball season, you'll find quite a few of Cindy Tran, at the time a junior outside hitter for the Tritons. You'll also find a commonality among many of the shots. Lots of smiles. Lots of high fives. Lots of celebratory screaming. Lots of love for the game, her teammates, and life in general.

More than two years later that same love still shines through. Bump into Cindy on campus and you're guaranteed to get one of those smiles. Watch her at practice and you'll see her still throwing out high fives.

Perhaps not what you'd expect from someone that has been deprived not once, but twice, of a senior season playing the game that brings her “consistent joy.”

Tran came to La Jolla in 2018 as a junior transfer from Concordia Irvine in Orange County. With the Eagles, she earned AVCA All-West Region honorable mention as well as All-PacWest Second Team accolades.

In her inaugural season as a Triton, she picked up right where she left off. She was named an All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) honorable mention as well as a CCAA All-Academic selection. The only Triton to start in all 23 of the team's matches, Tran led UC San Diego in service aces and was second in blocks and third in points, kills, and digs.

With such a successful year, Tran was excited to see what she and the Tritons could accomplish in 2019, what was to be her senior campaign.

Then came the injury.

A seemingly harmless play during a preseason exhibition match at Cal State Fullerton would force Tran to miss the entire season.

After taking a medical redshirt, she now started looking forward to the 2020 season. Not only would she be a senior (again), it would be UC San Diego's first season as an NCAA Division I volleyball program and a member of the Big West Conference.

Then came COVID.

In December, the Big West officially announced the cancellation of all fall sports due to the pandemic. Once again, Tran had to deal with the crushing blow of not being able to share a proper senior season with her teammates, coaches, friends, fans, and family.

Now in graduate school at UC San Diego, we talked to Tran about coping with disappointment, her future volleyball plans, and her career aspirations.   

Before your injury at the beginning of the 2019 season, what were your feelings heading into what you thought would be your senior campaign?

I actually suffered from a concussion during spring season in April of 2019, so that season was cut short as I was on injury prevention until the end of the school year. With that being said, I hadn’t competed since April, so going into my senior season I was excited and hopeful to be able to play the sport I love again. I couldn’t wait to step back on the court.

I had trained very hard over the summer to prepare because I had missed all that practice time due to the concussion. We had a group of very talented girls and our off-court chemistry had improved so much, so going into that senior season I expected us to be top three in our conference, make it to the CCAA tournament, make it to regionals, and then the goal was to make it to the NCAA Tournament. We had high hopes, but I believed that we had the talent and work ethic to make it a reality.

For me personally, I wanted my senior season to be the most fun I’ve had while preforming to the best of my abilities. I had received All-CCAA honorable mention the year before, so my goal was to work for All-CCAA First Team and make the all-region team as well, which I had done in my final year at Concordia. My dream was to compete for All-American as that’s one of the highest titles in collegiate sports. I wanted to show how hard I had been training and perform well for myself and for my teammates in order to be content with my retirement knowing that I had left it all on the court. 

Describe your preseason injury in 2019. Was this the worst injury of your volleyball career?

I ruptured my ACL at our first scrimmage at Cal State Fullerton exactly one week into preseason. I went to hit a ball and when I landed, my right knee caved in and my ACL completely tore. 

This was the worst injury of my volleyball career because it was my first long-term injury. I have had my fair share of ankle sprains and I have been doing rehab for my shoulder throughout college, but none of those injuries required me to sit on the sidelines. This injury was definitely rough knowing that I would be out for the entire season.

Talk about your mindset after the injury, knowing that you would have to sit out your senior season?

I did not cry when the injury happened because I was in shock. I was hopeful that it was not anything too serious, but when I got the phone call from the doctor with my MRI results, I started bawling.

Volleyball has been the thing that has kept be grounded my entire life. It is my escape from reality and has brought me consistent joy. It was the one thing I knew I could always rely on to bring me happiness. Nothing else mattered when I was on the volleyball court as I was able to always have a clear mind and enjoy the moment playing the sport that I loved. Therefore, finding out that I had suffered an injury that would require surgery and keep me in recovery for about a year really took a toll on my mental health.

I was numb to any feelings because I initially did not know how to cope. I was so excited to compete again and to have it stripped away was heartbreaking. Some days I had to “fake it until I made it” because I would try to be strong to make it seem like I was okay to everyone, but it was hard when people would show support and ask how I was doing. I didn’t want to say I was struggling.

It was a hard reality to face because I was already sad that it would be my last season, but it was comforting to know that I was going to get to enjoy competing one last time. However, the end came a lot sooner than expected and I didn’t get the opportunity for one more game. I may not ever get that opportunity. My motivation came because I knew that I had to push myself in rehab if I ever wanted to consider playing again.

What type of roles did you play on the team over the 2019 season?

I was still captain, so I was able to lead the team, but in a different way. I am the type to lead by doing, so that was a transition I had to make, to be a more vocal leader. I tried to be the most supportive and encouraging I could be to help my teammates both on and off the court. During practices and matches, I wanted to be an extra set of eyes for the girls, using my volleyball IQ to help see open plays from the sidelines.

How did your recovery go?

I was lucky because my recovery process was relatively smooth for the most part. I did not have a lot of added pain or difficulty with many movements and was always told I was on track and right where I should be. It was tough though because I was in the athletic training room everyday for two- to three-hour rehab sessions plus I had strength work in the Spanos Athletic Performance Center.

When we were in season, rehab was during practice times and workouts were typically separate, so it was difficult not being physically present at practice times. It made me feel so distant from my team.

I was allowed to start touching a volleyball, things like serving and stationary passing, at the end of March [2020]. Next, I was cleared to start doing non-contact, low-impact drills in May. Finally, I was fully cleared to play in July. It was rough though because just as I was starting to get to touch the volleyball again at practice with my teammates, COVID-19 hit and all sports were canceled.

At what point did you decide that you were going to come back and play?

I think it was about a week after I had found out that I tore my ACL. I went into coach Luyties' office and asked if I could take a medical redshirt in order to come back another year. The thought to return was at the front of my mind the minute I got hurt because I knew I was not done. I had been playing for nine years, since I was 14, and I was not ready to retire from volleyball just yet. I had more to give and to get out of the sport.

Knowing that the volleyball program would be moving up to NCAA Division I for the 2020 season, how important was that in your decision to return?

It was an added bonus, but it was not important in my decision. I was actually excited to finish our last Division II season in the CCAA because it was our chance to leave our legacy. It was also our last chance to compete for a title as we wouldn't be able to take part in postseason play during our four-year Division I transition.

However, it is very exciting to compete in the first season of Division I because we have no expectations, so the sky’s the limit. We have the opportunity to show the Big West that we worked hard and belong in this competitive conference. 

How did graduate school fit into the equation?

I was not ready to give up the sport just yet and my goal was to eventually go to medical school. I was going to have to take a couple of gap years before applying, so it was a blessing in disguise that I would be able to complete a masters program during my intended “gap years.” Everything happens for a reason and I was prepared to make the most out of my experience and learn from the good and the bad.

I chose the Master’s of Public Health program because I graduated with a B.S in human biology and my goal was to go into the medical field. I was always interested in learning about how our bodies function and I was passionate about helping others, so the MPH program was a good fit. Also, a student-athlete on the women’s basketball team was currently in the MPH program, so she was able to pave the way for me and help me learn about why the program would be a good fit for my future. 

We learn about epidemiology (the study of infectious diseases), mental health, health behavior, health policies, precision health techniques, and environmental factors that affect health. 

Because I chose a masters in public health, I have a lot of options career-wise. I intend to go into the health care industry and work in developing technology like medical devices for precision health. However, I am also considering going to PA (physician's assistant) school if I think that is a better fit for my future.

When did you start feeling that there may not be a 2020 season due to the pandemic?

I was hopeful for the 2020 season while training over the summer. However, that hope began to die at the end of summer when schools announced that all learning would be remote and our preseason return date was postponed. With those two things happening, it was very unlikely that we would compete, especially since the spring sports were cancelled earlier in the year. 

How did you and the team learn that the Big West Conference was canceling all fall sports?

We found out through a team Zoom call. We had been anxiously waiting to find out if we would get to return to compete. I think we all knew it was coming because the decision was not supposed to be made for another couple of days, but coach told us that our administrator had called a meeting. That was not a good sign. Finding out over Zoom, away from everyone, was devastating because I hadn’t seen my teammates since March and now we had to wait even longer. 

What are your tactics to deal with adversity and disappointment? How do you stay positive?

It is definitely rough and there are some very low points in the process, but you have to understand that and embrace that. You have to remember that there is nothing you can do about the past, but so much you can do to propel yourself into the future. Things may be hard now, but you have the choice everyday to work towards improving yourself and bettering the situation. 

Even the smallest step in the right direction is still progress. It is important to celebrate the little successes along the way. For example, after surgery I couldn’t shower by myself because I couldn’t lift my leg, so it was exciting when I was finally able to bend my knee just to do something a small task like showering.

Anyone that knows me knows that volleyball has been my life and I am very, very passionate about the sport. That love for the game was my motivation on my lowest days. I pushed myself because I knew I wanted to come back better than before.

I may not have the chance to compete in the NCAA anymore, but there are always adult leagues, overseas competitions, and tournaments that I could play in for fun, so I worked hard knowing that this may not be the end for volleyball. 

Even before I got hurt I was taught to give 110% of what I have that day into everything I did, so that definitely helped me to get through. You work to get 1% better each day. You may not know how to get something done but it is important that you try to make it happen. You’ll surprise yourself and accomplish more than you think you could.

I had to be at rehab and the workouts everyday anyways so why would I not try my best and give it my all to recover? When the improvements came and I reached each stepping stone, it was easier to stay determined and have drive because the end was near.

However, all of this is definitely easier said than done. I was not always good at dealing with adversity, but the more challenges you face and the more you trust in yourself, you start to reflect on those challenges and learn about your character.

What was going through your head when you realized you would miss out on a SECOND senior season?

Honestly, it felt like at this point it was not meant to be, I was not meant to play anymore and that my time with the sport was supposed to come to an end. It was like the universe was trying to tell me that it was time to move forward with my future and my career. I was devastated to lose something that had brought me happiness and comfort for so many years. Volleyball has been my rock growing up, so it was heartbreaking to learn that yet again it was being taken away from me.

What has volleyball taught you outside of knowing how to be a great player?

Volleyball has taught me leadership, drive, and determination. It has taught me that you can accomplish more than you think if you work hard.

One of my favorite quotes from sports is “hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard,” so the goal is to work hard to excel with the talent you already have.

Sports have also taught me that you can push yourself through anything, but it is also important to know your limits to ensure that you are bettering yourself and not pushing to the point where harm is being inflicted. If you work hard to establish that respect, you know your limits. It all starts through your established, consistent actions.

Through being a team captain I have learned that everyone has a different perspective and you can learn a lot from your peers when you open your mind to understand their perspectives. With this, it is important to understand that not everyone receives information in the same way. Communication is key, but understanding how one communicates is even more important. 

I have also learned the importance of having drive and determination. Those two assets can propel you far with anything you seek to accomplish in life. Nothing is too large to overcome if you are driven. Having that level of drive and determination that sports teaches us is something to cherish and something that can be applied to all aspects of life. 

What has UC San Diego taught you outside of your academic endeavors?

UC San Diego has taught me the importance of making connections and taking advantage of your resources. The University takes pride in and puts a lot of effort into making sure their students are placed in a successful position for their futures. It offers extra tutoring, career services, mental health services, and job opportunities that one can use to their advantage while at school here.

UC San Diego has taught me the importance of establishing relationships. Some of the people you meet in college will be your lifelong friends and your support system throughout life. On top of that, the professors and staff you meet are kind and happy to help. These individuals were once in our shoes and are very knowledgeable about where we want to be. 

Don’t be afraid to start a conversation. You have nothing to lose. 

What does the next year or so look like for you?

The NCAA has granted "Corona-Shirts” to student-athletes that missed out on their 2020 fall season, which means I am able to come back and play in 2021. I have the eligibility, but I am not sure of my decision yet because there are other factors I have to consider such as finances, internships, and class schedules. 

I will graduate from grad school in the the winter of 2022.