Mark Ratto

On September 22, 2005, my mom dropped me off in Mesa Court, helped lug my stuff to my new dorm and, bless her heart, probably said, “whew,” and pantomimed the sweat off her brow.

Whipping around the corner between the Mesa parking structure and Bren Events Center, my stumpy legs struggled to move as fast as I wanted them to. I was hustling. As I turned the corner, I spotted a sweatshirt bearing baby-blue and golden yellow: a Bruin fan. I huffed in disgust. Half because I was out of breadth from my journey across campus to the baseball field, and half because I hate seeing opposing colors on campus. Especially on a night like that.

Sailing: The sailing team has the most titles in Irvine history and is looking to add another this week.

“Hey Mikayla, who is your favorite player?” “Manny.” “That’s what I am talking about. You want to play some catch?” “Oh yeah! Let me get my glove.”

Volleyball: Over the last four years, Irvine has been to three Final Fours and won two titles. Here is why.

March 10, 2006. I sat with 10 friends in a crowd of 2,817 at the Bren Events Center, watching and cheering for our then second- ranked men’s volleyball team in the nation as they played the top- ranked Brigham Young University. The atmosphere was like nothing I had ever experienced. It was about three-quarters of the way through my freshman year of college and I remember turning to my good friend Iris and saying, “This is the best night of my life.”

Athletics: Men’s volleyball wins NCAA championship for second time in three years.

I am not a University of Southern California hater. I repeat, I could care less about that campus, the school or the people that go into it and come out of it. It is far from my house and has no bearing on my life. I know it is popular to hate on that school and its people, but hating on something that I don't care about is really not my deal.

volleyball: The top-ranked ‘Eaters were upset by the fifth seat Trojans, but still earn top seed in Final Four.

water polo: The women's water polo team won its first title with some key seniors leading the way.

What do tight short-shorts, cut-off jerseys and big balls remind you of? Well, for me, only one thing comes to mind: a game in an old man softball league.

Track And Field: UCI upstart team collectively shares the work ethic, mentality and the arms to go far.

volleyball: UCI opened the conference championship playoffs with a first round win against UCLA.

Flying through the air is normally associated with a few things, including superheroes and anything with wings. Well, add one more to that list: red-shirt freshman volleyballer Carson Clark. You might as well call him Carson Clark "Kent" because when the offensive machine's jersey comes on and the scoreboard lights up, he has the tendency to get his flight on.