Photo by: Stephen Wandzura
Women's Soccer Q&A: Calista Reyes
7/15/2020 10:28:00 AM | Women's Soccer, Competing With Purpose Blog
Merely one weekend into the Pepperdine women's soccer team's spring season, rising senior midfielder/forward Calista Reyes had to leave Malibu after Pepperdine University was shut down due to coronavirus concerns. We caught up with the one-time WCC All-Freshman Team selection about staying connected with the women's soccer team in quarantine, the team's plan to follow up last season's NCAA Tournament appearance and watching some of her former teammates play in the NWSL:
Q: What was it like to go from being on Spring Break, going back to campus and then having to move out in such a short time? Would you mind describing how those days unfolded?
A: It definitely was weird. We just returned from Spring Break, so coming back home so soon after that was so out-of-the-ordinary. When we got back to Pepperdine, everything seemed so normal. We were in a routine with classes, had training every morning and we were in our spring season, which obviously isn't as packed as our fall season. But we still had games we were looking forward to. We only got to play one weekend of games, but we had fun that weekend.
Once everything started to come out, we started to realize how serious the situation was. I remember the day everything got cancelled. I remember my parents calling me and telling me that it's getting serious and that I should come home. So I spent one last night with my teammates and then left early the next morning. I wasn't really sure what to expect when I made my way back home, but I knew I was happy to be back with my family and things would go over quickly and the situation would fix itself. I didn't expect quarantine to be a summer-long thing — I don't think anyone did — but life did change very quickly.
Q: It sounded like the women's soccer team just getting into rhythm with your spring season and was looking to build off of making the NCAA Tournament last year. What was it like to stop your preseason so abruptly?
A: Usually our spring season is our growing time. Last season we had a relatively young team, so we were really excited for the spring season to start. Everyone was in prime fitness, we were hitting great levels of our play and we had great connections with each other. Having to split up and go our own ways was a punch to the gut. Ultimately, we've been staying in contact with each other, and everyone's hopeful that we can see each other soon.
Q: What have you and the rest of the team done to keep busy during the offseason?
A: When we went home, we all talked and said that quarantine might pass sooner than we thought, or that maybe we could stay near campus and try to get back together soon.
Once we realized quarantine was going to be more serious than we anticipated, we started a schedule of Zoom calls with the team every Sunday. We were studying a book about the All Blacks [the New Zealand National Rugby Team], so we'd pick a chapter every week, then talk about how that team's values are what we want to focus on this fall. We definitely bonded over that every week. We also set time aside to watch film from our spring and fall seasons, so we did get a chance to see each others' faces at least once or twice a week, if we could.
Q: What has it been like getting to know all the newcomers so far?
A: The coaches introduced us to them about a month ago, but we met them in the fall when they took their official visits. They've been hopping into the weekly calls with us and we've been able to converse with them over Zoom. Sometimes we'll split up and talk to the newcomers, so we can say we're here if any of them need us, or if they have any questions. We've been there to guide them through their questions about school, fitness, or what to expect. They all seem really cool. I wish we could meet them in person right now, but I'm pretty hopeful that we can see them soon in the fall.
Q: Given everything you and your fellow seniors have been through at Pepperdine, what do you expect out of your senior season?
A: There have been a lot of experiences and obstacles coming into this season. After everything that we have gone through during our time at Pepperdine, we have been comfortable with expecting the unexpected. Whatever the NCAA gives us — whether it's a limited season, or a pushed-back start to the season, or even a regular season — I am excited to take it for what it is and play my heart out. I'm excited for whatever opportunity is given to us — anything is better than nothing. Given that we have one last season, I'm just excited to be a part of it.
Q: You've been to the NCAA Tournament twice in your career and you've been on several successful Pepperdine teams. What specific goals do you have for the upcoming season?
A: If we do have a regular season with an NCAA Tournament, I think the team we have right now has the potential to go far in the tournament — and even be national champions. I can easily see that as a reasonable expectation for us.
Personally, I want to have a season where I'm proud of everything that I leave on the field. I think having a successful season that I'm comfortable with is the goal, so that if I want to play soccer after college — which as of right now, I would love to — I can use my last season at Pepperdine as a stepping stone toward playing in the future.
Q: Finally, describe what it's like to watch your former Pepperdine teammates — like Bri Visalli, Michelle Maemone and Hailey Harbison — play in the NWSL right now, especially in light of your goal to play professionally?
A: It's always been inspiring to see so many Pepperdine women's soccer alumni play after college. Even being in contact with them and getting to talk to them a little bit whenever I get to see them face-to-face makes me feel like, "I played on the same field as her, I can go the same path that she's going."
It's definitely encouraging to me that there have been people on the same path as me going on to play after college. It makes me feel like I am capable of doing that.
Q: What was it like to go from being on Spring Break, going back to campus and then having to move out in such a short time? Would you mind describing how those days unfolded?
A: It definitely was weird. We just returned from Spring Break, so coming back home so soon after that was so out-of-the-ordinary. When we got back to Pepperdine, everything seemed so normal. We were in a routine with classes, had training every morning and we were in our spring season, which obviously isn't as packed as our fall season. But we still had games we were looking forward to. We only got to play one weekend of games, but we had fun that weekend.
Once everything started to come out, we started to realize how serious the situation was. I remember the day everything got cancelled. I remember my parents calling me and telling me that it's getting serious and that I should come home. So I spent one last night with my teammates and then left early the next morning. I wasn't really sure what to expect when I made my way back home, but I knew I was happy to be back with my family and things would go over quickly and the situation would fix itself. I didn't expect quarantine to be a summer-long thing — I don't think anyone did — but life did change very quickly.
Q: It sounded like the women's soccer team just getting into rhythm with your spring season and was looking to build off of making the NCAA Tournament last year. What was it like to stop your preseason so abruptly?
A: Usually our spring season is our growing time. Last season we had a relatively young team, so we were really excited for the spring season to start. Everyone was in prime fitness, we were hitting great levels of our play and we had great connections with each other. Having to split up and go our own ways was a punch to the gut. Ultimately, we've been staying in contact with each other, and everyone's hopeful that we can see each other soon.
Q: What have you and the rest of the team done to keep busy during the offseason?
A: When we went home, we all talked and said that quarantine might pass sooner than we thought, or that maybe we could stay near campus and try to get back together soon.
Once we realized quarantine was going to be more serious than we anticipated, we started a schedule of Zoom calls with the team every Sunday. We were studying a book about the All Blacks [the New Zealand National Rugby Team], so we'd pick a chapter every week, then talk about how that team's values are what we want to focus on this fall. We definitely bonded over that every week. We also set time aside to watch film from our spring and fall seasons, so we did get a chance to see each others' faces at least once or twice a week, if we could.
Q: What has it been like getting to know all the newcomers so far?
A: The coaches introduced us to them about a month ago, but we met them in the fall when they took their official visits. They've been hopping into the weekly calls with us and we've been able to converse with them over Zoom. Sometimes we'll split up and talk to the newcomers, so we can say we're here if any of them need us, or if they have any questions. We've been there to guide them through their questions about school, fitness, or what to expect. They all seem really cool. I wish we could meet them in person right now, but I'm pretty hopeful that we can see them soon in the fall.
Q: Given everything you and your fellow seniors have been through at Pepperdine, what do you expect out of your senior season?
A: There have been a lot of experiences and obstacles coming into this season. After everything that we have gone through during our time at Pepperdine, we have been comfortable with expecting the unexpected. Whatever the NCAA gives us — whether it's a limited season, or a pushed-back start to the season, or even a regular season — I am excited to take it for what it is and play my heart out. I'm excited for whatever opportunity is given to us — anything is better than nothing. Given that we have one last season, I'm just excited to be a part of it.
Q: You've been to the NCAA Tournament twice in your career and you've been on several successful Pepperdine teams. What specific goals do you have for the upcoming season?
A: If we do have a regular season with an NCAA Tournament, I think the team we have right now has the potential to go far in the tournament — and even be national champions. I can easily see that as a reasonable expectation for us.
Personally, I want to have a season where I'm proud of everything that I leave on the field. I think having a successful season that I'm comfortable with is the goal, so that if I want to play soccer after college — which as of right now, I would love to — I can use my last season at Pepperdine as a stepping stone toward playing in the future.
Q: Finally, describe what it's like to watch your former Pepperdine teammates — like Bri Visalli, Michelle Maemone and Hailey Harbison — play in the NWSL right now, especially in light of your goal to play professionally?
A: It's always been inspiring to see so many Pepperdine women's soccer alumni play after college. Even being in contact with them and getting to talk to them a little bit whenever I get to see them face-to-face makes me feel like, "I played on the same field as her, I can go the same path that she's going."
It's definitely encouraging to me that there have been people on the same path as me going on to play after college. It makes me feel like I am capable of doing that.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
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/ Women's Soccer
