BVB3/21/2025 8:38 PM | By: Cal Athletics

Caffo Reaches 75 Career Wins

AUSTIN – The No. 9 California beach volleyball team split its two duals Friday to open the East vs West Invitational in Austin, Texas. After sweeping No. 12 LSU and falling to No. 10 Texas last week, the Golden Bears flipped the script this time around with a 3-2 win over the host Longhorns and a 3-2 loss to the Tigers.
 
Cal (12-6) handed Texas its first home loss of the season and avenged a tough 3-2 loss at last week’s East Meets West Invitational. The Bears now five ranked wins this season.
 
With a pair of court-two victories, graduate student Sierra Caffo surpassed 75 career wins – 49 of which have come in her time at Cal. Her 75th win came against her former team, LSU.
 
Cal took a 2-0 lead in its first match of the weekend with wins from Caffo and junior Gia Fisher on court two and the court-four pair of junior Marilu Pally and senior Ella Dreibholz. The Bears were just a few points away from clinching the match on court three but suffered a reverse sweep for the first time this season.
 
Texas took a 1-0 lead to begin the second dual, but the momentum changed when Fisher and Caffo grinded out a huge three-set win on court two that went to extra points in two of the sets. Junior Jenna Colligan and senior Ella Sears picked up their first win as a pair this season on court five to put the Bears in position to win the dual.
 
With the Longhorns snagging court three, it would all come down to the top spot in the lineup where junior Portia Sherman and sophomore Emma Donley had already won their first set handedly. As both teams gathered around court one, the Bears put the dual to bed in dominant fashion winning it 21-16, 21-12.
 
Cal is back on the sand tomorrow to face No. 20 FIU, which the Bears defeated last weekend 4-1, and No. 18 Georgia State. The first match is set for 7:30 a.m. PT and the second match is slated for 10:30 a.m. PT.
 
No. 12 LSU – 3, No. 9 Cal – 2

1. Parker Bracken / Gabi Bailey (LSU) def. Emma Donley/Portia Sherman (Cal) 21-11, 24-22
2. Gia Fisher/Sierra Caffo (Cal) def. Aubrey/Julia Specher (LSU) 24-22, 21-23, 15-13
3. Elle Evers/Camryn Chatellier (LSU) def. Alex Adishian/Christine DeRoos (Cal) 21-15, 10-21, 21-19
4. Marilu Pally/Ella Dreibholz (Cal) def. Katie Baker/Tatum Finlason (LSU) 21-17, 21-18
5. Skyler Martin/Emily Meyer (LSU) def. Ella Sears/Jenna Colligan (Cal) 21-18, 21-15

Order of finish: 4, 2, 5, 3, 1
 
No. 9 Cal – 3, No. 10 Texas – 2

1. Emma Donley/Portia Sherman (Cal) def. Chloe Charles/Eva Kuivonen (TEX) 21-16, 21-12
2. Gia Fisher/Sierra Caffo (Cal) def. Emma Grace Robertson/Katie Hashman (TEX) 23-21, 17-21, 17-15
3. Karin Zolnercikova/Maddison Parmelly (TEX) def. Christine DeRoos/Alex Adishian (Cal) 21-18, 21-15
4. Macey Butler/Noa Sonneville (TEX) def. Marilu Pally/Ella Dreibholz (Cal) 21-14, 21-13
5. Jenna Colligan/Ella Sears (CAL) def. Carys Patton/Vivian Johnson (Cal) 23-21, 21-9

Order of finish: 4, 2, 5, 3, 1
 

Most people look forward to retiring with plans to kick back, relax, and—let’s be honest—avoid dealing with people. However, that wasn’t the case for Martha. After retiring from her position as director of medical records at Austin Diagnostic Clinic, she still had a strong desire to help others. While searching for an interesting part-time opportunity, she discovered the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport’s Ambassador Volunteer Program and began her volunteering journey in 2008, continuing until this year, 2025. As we bid her farewell on her next journey, we want to take a moment to recognize her remarkable 17 and a half years of service to travelers from all around the world.

Saying that Martha was just a friendly face at the Visitor Information Center in Baggage Claim would be an understatement. She consistently went above and beyond, assisting travelers with everything from navigating the airport to providing support during medical emergencies. For many travelers, her warm demeanor and willingness to help were the shining light at the end of the tunnel they had been seeking.

Reflecting on her time as a volunteer, Martha shared, “It was a great experience for me, and I also had fun people-watching. One of the perks I really appreciated was the ‘free’ parking when I was traveling from the airport.” As she prepares for her second attempt at retirement, Martha said that she will miss her coworkers most of all. Without a doubt, she will always remain a beloved member of the AUS community.

Martha’s story of finding joy in helping others may inspire you to volunteer as well. In case you didn’t know, the AUS Airport Ambassadors Program is a volunteer initiative designed to provide exceptional customer service and assist visitors on their journey. As a volunteer, you’ll become an expert on all things airport-related and provide timely updates from the Department of Aviation to travelers. Benefits of volunteering include discounts at airport stores and restaurants, free Cap Metro I-Ride cards for commuting, special recognition at social events, and, Martha’s favorite, free airport parking for both work and vacation! If you’re interested, contact the Visitor Information Center Supervisor for more information at VolunteerAtAUS@flyaustin.com or call 512-530-2414.

Once again, thank you, Martha, for the many years of service you’ve dedicated with your smile, patience, and expertise at AUS. Your contributions have made a meaningful impact on everyone you’ve helped, and after 17 ½ years, those impacts are truly countless.

AUSTIN, Texas — A Central Texas attorney is taking legal action against the U.S. Department of Education, claiming a sudden and massive spike in her student loan payments is the direct result of a decision by the Trump administration — one that she says left borrowers blindsided and financially vulnerable.

Ashley Morgan, an Austin-based attorney, filed a lawsuit this week against Education Secretary Linda McMahon and the Department of Education after discovering her monthly student loan payment had increased from $507 to a staggering $2,463 — an increase of over 350%.

“I’m not seeking money, I just want what I was told I would get,” Morgan told CBS Austin.

Morgan alleges the increase came after the Trump administration abruptly paused all income-driven repayment (IDR) plans in February — without notifying borrowers. These plans typically allow student loan payments to be calculated based on a borrower’s income, often making them more affordable.

“I logged into my loan account and saw my payments had more than quadrupled,” she said. “It was shocking — and it’s not affordable.”

Morgan, who began repaying her student loans in 2017, said she had never missed a payment in the past eight years. But when she logged into her account recently, she discovered the IDR plan was no longer available, and her loan payments had jumped overnight. There had been no warning, she claims.

“They’re really hurting people that can’t afford to wait around and figure out what to do with student loans or how to pick up the pieces of the Department of Education,” she said.

Morgan says she reached out to the Department of Education, her loan servicer, and Texas Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn — but received no clear answers or help.

“I just realized I wasn’t going to get help and I was going to have to help myself,” she said. “That’s why I filed this lawsuit.”

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Morgan’s lawsuit goes beyond financial hardship. She claims the sudden change has caused “mental and emotional distress” and alleges other borrowers are experiencing similar impacts — including reports of suicidal thoughts due to the financial strain.

“I’m seeing a broad array of reactions from other borrowers,” she said. “It’s clear that people are scared and overwhelmed.”

The lawsuit comes amid sweeping changes at the Department of Education. On Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the department, transferring authority to individual states.

“It’s doing us no good,” Trump said. “We want to return our students to the states.”

The executive order instructs Secretary McMahon to begin the process of downsizing the agency. However, fully eliminating the department would require congressional approval.

While some Texas leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, praised the move, others — like U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett — warned it could further undermine public education and student protections.

For now, income-driven repayment plans remain paused, and borrowers like Morgan are left in limbo — unsure how to manage loan payments that, for some, now exceed rent or mortgage costs.

“I’m not going to default on my loans just because someone is jacking with a couple forms online,” Morgan said. “But I’m not sure how long I can keep this up without help.”

Morgan is hoping the courts step in before she’s forced to drain her savings to keep up with her new monthly bill. She says she’s not alone — and that her lawsuit is about protecting all borrowers who may face the same fate.

The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how the federal government handles student loan repayment plans — especially as the Department of Education’s future hangs in the balance.