CYPRESS, CA - Cypress Women's Basketball sophomore Malia Goldsmith is striving for greatness during her first year as a Charger. Transferring from Cal State Fullerton's Division 1 program, Malia is looking to use her skills both on and off the court as a player and teammate.

Hailing from Irvine, CA, 19-year-old Malia Goldsmith graduated from University High School in 2019 before earning a position on the women's basketball team at Cal State Fullerton. Goldsmith grew up playing basketball and can remember shooting hoops from as young as seven years old. Malia recalls University High School as being an academic school and was excited to continue playing the sport she loved at the collegiate level. Goldsmith's decision to leave Cal State Fullerton was to allow herself another year of growth and further development of her skills with the hopes of one day returning to the D1 level. Malia was inspired by Coach Mohr and felt Cypress would make a great home for the next few years.

1. As a newly minted Charger, what are you most looking forward to during your first year at Cypress?

"I'm excited to contribute on the court on a nightly basis and getting back into the game I love. My teammates are a group of really close-knit girls that all appreciate the game and want to compete. Everyone is here to ball and work hard and I'm excited to play with like-minded individuals."

2. Despite the pandemic presenting trying times for athletes, fans, and sports alike, how have you stayed ready during COVID-19 testing protocols? What have been your main areas of focus for physical and mental health?

"I moved home and had a lot more time to spend with my family which was something I didn't get to do as much during college. I focused on getting back into physical shape after my first year at Fullerton and then gave myself time to mentally process everything that was going on with the pandemic. The time off gave me an opportunity to reenergize and get back into a playing mindset for this season."

3. As an athlete from Cal State Fullerton, can you describe your experience playing for a Division I program? What do you think your biggest asset will be for your teammates at Cypress?

"The biggest difference is the level of competitiveness. The girls at the level are at the top of their game and are faster, stronger and overall better players. In terms of training, both Cypress and Fullerton run the same drills. Coach Mohr is definitely a well-respected coach and knows how to motivate the team to be the best athletes they can be. I think my biggest asset will be my ability to energize my teammates when we train and play. It's important that you are on the same page as your team both mentally and physically and that everyone feels they can contribute to the team dynamic."

4. What are some of your goals for the women's basketball program and how do you plan on implementing tools you've gained from Cal State Fullerton and applying them to the Chargers?

"At Fullerton, our coaches focused heavily on communication and how important it is during game play. My teammates and I are really close off the court but communication during practice is definitely something we can improve on. Communication is key to success during games and can be the difference between winning or losing a game."

5. As a leader within Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), what do you think Cypress Athletics does well? Does SAAC have any goals for improving the student-athlete's experience at Cypress this year?

"Our main goal is to help bridge the gap between the students and administration. We want to make an impact on the school and we want to help leave a legacy but sometimes don't know how to do it. I think it's important that the administration knows how much we love and respect Cypress and are grateful for the opportunities it has provided us both academically and in sports. We have a great group of leaders who are working to make campus a more inclusive place for all student voices to be heard."

6. Growing up, who were some of your favorite female role models? How did they inspire you to play sports and be a leader on a team?

"Definitely my mom because she is someone that I've looked up to my whole life. She is everything I think a leader should be and I try to emulate aspects of her character as a teammate. In terms of basketball, Skylar Diggins has always been one of my favorites because she plays my position and is a great role model for our sport."

7. What does a strong female athlete look like to you? What are some characteristics that you try to embody as an athlete?

"A strong female athlete is someone who is confident, leads her teammates, and respects herself and others. She isn't afraid to put herself out there and stand up for what she believes in."

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