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Makenna Thiel didn’t need to do much research about the University of California, Berkeley. The Piedmont native grew up only 20 minutes away from campus and her mother attended the school. Thiel used to take lessons on Cal’s courts, and watched many basketball games in Haas Pavilion.

Rising Senior Makenna Thiel Has Committed To Cal
© Contributed Photo

But that didn’t mean Thiel was predestined to enroll once she reached college.

"I never really thought I wanted to stay so close to home. I have always been looking outside of Northern California,” Thiel said. “But once I started the recruiting process, I started looking into it and found that it was just the perfect fit for me."

The rising senior recently committed to Cal, having reached out to the coaching staff earlier this year to let them know she was interested. Thiel sent assistant coach Zack Warren a text message a few weeks ago with some recent tournament results and it led to her solidifying her decision.

“He called me the next day and offered me a spot,” Thiel said. “I thought about it for a few days and said, 'You know what? Cal has been my No. 1 choice throughout this process. I don't see myself anywhere else. I don't see a better option.’"