July 11, 2012
BERKEKLEY - After an epic freshman year, CalBears.com wanted to catch up with the freshmen to see how things went. Our first Q&A is with Breana Kostreba, who earned her way into a starting position in the outfield. An Aptos, Calif., native, Kostreba's athletic prowess earned her an All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention and landed her on the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. CalBears.com chatted up Kostreba to hear how her first year in the Blue & Gold went.
CalBears.com: Now that you've got one year of collegiate softball under your belt - what was the best part of the softball season?
Breana Kostreba:
The best part was traveling on the road during the season. It was fun to get to know everyone on the team better by having a different roommate every weekend.
CalBears.com: What was the best part about your fall or spring semester?
BK:
The best part of the spring semester was that I passed all 16 of my units. I probably won't be taking so many units next year during the spring.
CalBears.com: After two semesters of college academics, what are you planning on doing differently or the same next semester in terms of school?
BK:
I am going to take fewer units so that I can focus more time on each class.
CalBears.com: What is something you didn't know before you came to Cal but you now know?
BK:
I was told that math at Cal was different than math anywhere else. However, I did not believe this until I experienced it first-hand.
CalBears.com: What was the favorite class you took this year?
BK:
My favorite class I took this year way Civil Engineering 11.
CalBears.com: What was the best part about Cal softball this year?
BK:
The best part about Cal softball this year was when Bebe, our Friends of Jaclyn adoptee, came all the way to Oklahoma to watch us.
CalBears.com: What surprised you most about your freshman year?
BK:
I was surprised by the lack of free time I had this year.
CalBears.com: What class are you most looking forward to taking this fall semester?
BK:
I am looking forward to taking Engineering 7 - Introduction to Computer Programming for Scientists and Engineers - the most because I will be taking it with two of my teammates,
Nikki Owens and
Taylor Vincent.
CalBears.com: Was playing at the NCAA Division I level what you expected or more?
BK:
Playing at this level was what I expected. I, however, did not anticipate how important the mental aspect of the game is at this level.
CalBears.com: What was it like to balance top-notch academics and playing on nationally ranked softball team?
BK:
It was difficult but manageable to balance sports and academics.
CalBears.com: What was the first trip to the postseason like for you?
BK:
Our first trip of the postseason was to Oklahoma, so it was exciting of course. I was finally going to the thing I had dreamed about since I started playing softball.
CalBears.com: What is one of your most hilarious or embarrassing stories from your freshman year?
BK:
Before the first game of the fall season coach was announcing the team lineup and she got stuck on the pronunciation of my name. She called me Bree-on, and it became a nickname of mine for the rest of the year.
CalBears.com: What advice would you give to incoming freshmen?
BK:
Dedicate your life to school and softball. After you have a grasp on those two things allow yourself to explore the other aspects of college life.
To read Breana's first-ever Q&A with CalBears.com, please click here. To make sure you've read all the features on the Bears this season, please click here.
