May 2, 2012
BERKELEY -
The midfielder chatted with CalBears.com about her recently completed final season as a Golden Bear and what she plans to do next. The Vail, Colo., product ranked fourth in points (30) on the team and tallied 24 goals, six assists and 19 draw controls in her senior year.
CalBears.com: Has it hit you that your Cal lacrosse career is over?
Vail Horn:
I don't think it's hit me yet. We enjoyed the season - it was fun - but looking back I think we could have gone so much further if we had (injured teammates)
Megan Takacs and
Tara Arolla for the whole season. So that was disappointing. But looking back over my entire career, I had so much fun with the whole thing. It's really made my college experience so amazing. I don't know what I'm going to do now. I don't have my lacrosse team with me every step of the way. It's sad.
CalBears.com: How did the team cope with those injuries, with Tara missing the whole season, and Megan getting hurt late?
VH:
When Tara got hurt, it was a huge adjustment. So much of our attack relied on Tara. What was cool about the team was that so many people stepped up.
Melissa Humphrey kind of took over Tara's position and did such a great job. And then when
Megan Takacs was injured, it was hard, sad and frustrating. But we'd been there. The team did a great job of plugging through it and kept on fighting.
CalBears.com: What was it like dealing with a whole new coaching staff in your final season?
VH:
All of them are such great people. (Head coach)
Ginger Miles is so supportive and fun, and then
Emma Wallace and
Allison Comito (Cal's assistant coaches) are just really knowledgeable about lacrosse and were able to help everyone.
CalBears.com: The graduation ceremony for your American studies major is on May 17. What are you going to do on May 18?
VH:
Probably cry (laughs). I don't know. My parents are coming out, and I think my older brother is coming out. Maybe we'll just hang out and go into the City on one of my last times going to San Francisco, since I'll be moving afterwards. I'll just be enjoying one of my last few days here and maybe go on a hike.
CalBears.com: What are you going to do after that? Is grad school in your future?
VH:
I want to get a job. I want to make my own money and see what it's all about out there. I had my time with school, but I'm sure in the future I'll be back. But, yeah, I'm excited to see what's out there.
CalBears.com: What is your ideal job?
VH:
I would love to be involved in event planning - more sports oriented - or in sports marketing, doing something like planning marathons. It would be fun, exciting and kind of thrilling to put big events together like that. I would absolutely love to work for Nike some day. I actually just got a Denver Nuggets job. It's entry level. I want to get my foot in the door. I would love to keeps sports in my life somehow.
CalBears.com: You're joining the ranks of Cal lacrosse's loyal alumnae. Will you be able to come out and support the Bears in the years to come?
VH:
Definitely. Even if I don't live in the area, I'll be Cal's No. 1 fan. I'll be tracking the team. It's so great to go to those games, especially on the East Coast, when you see your old teammates coming out to games. It's just so fun. They're all grown up and living the life. It's great to keep in touch with everyone you played with and to see the support from the alums. I'll be a great alum and be there for the Bears!
