POMONA, Calif. - Each year, National Girls and Women in Sports Day (NGWSD) celebrates the power of sport to develop confident, resilient leaders. As we recognize the 40th annual NGWSD, Cal Poly Pomona Broncos, an NCAA Division II institution, proudly embodies the Division II motto, Make It Yours, through the stories of four women whose journeys show that sport extends far beyond competition.
    From Chance to Choice: How Charlotte Koerber Made Volleyball Her Own
Charlotte Koerber never planned on volleyball becoming the force that would take her across the world. Growing up in Germany, she was introduced to the sport around the age of 10 through a family connection. "It was actually very random," Koerber said. "But it stuck." What began as a casual opportunity quickly grew into a passion that would shape her identity both on and off the court.

Coming to the United States to play collegiate volleyball introduced Charlotte to an entirely new system. In Germany, academics and athletics exist separately, requiring athletes to juggle club teams outside of school. "We do not really have this combination of college and volleyball," she explained. "So I really like that it is all connected here." That structure allowed her to pursue high level athletics while continuing her education, opening doors she never imagined.

Her journey was not without fear. After starting at another institution, Koerber entered the transfer portal in search of a better athletic and academic fit. "I wanted to do more with volleyball and also kind of wanted to change my major," she said. The process required courage, especially navigating big decisions at such a young age. "I was way too calm doing it back then," she reflected. "Now I think I would be too scared to do it again." Still, the experience forced her to grow, adapt, and trust herself.

Now a biophysics major at Cal Poly Pomona, Koerber has embraced challenges both in the classroom and on the court. Joining the physics club helped her build relationships outside of volleyball and find balance in her college experience. Volleyball, she says, has taught her determination, adaptability, and how to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds. "That grit of doing something you love and pushing through hard things," she said, "that is something I will take with me long after volleyball ends."
 
Finding Her Fire Again: Andrea Stajic's Journey Through Adversity and Leadership
For Andrea Stajic, basketball has always been a constant. She began playing at just four years old, growing up with the game as part of her everyday life. But her transition into college basketball challenged her in ways she never expected. After committing to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, coaching changes and a difficult freshman year shook her confidence. "I thought that was what college basketball was supposed to be like," Stajic said. "It turns out it was not."

Leaving her hometown for the first time and transferring to Cal Poly Pomona marked a turning point. "It was challenging moving away," she admitted, "but it was the best thing I did." At Pomona, she found a supportive environment both academically and athletically, allowing her to rediscover her love for the game and belief in herself. "Pomona allowed me to regrow a lot of that confidence and find myself here."

Just as things began to fall into place, Stajic faced another obstacle when a shoulder injury ended her season and required surgery. Suddenly, her role shifted from player to observer. While difficult, the experience became an unexpected opportunity for growth. "That year prepared me mentally," she said. "I got to slow down, mature, and see how other teammates led." Watching from the sidelines helped shape the leader she is today.

Now a team captain, Stajic leads through connection, empathy, and example. "This team is really special. We all care about each other as people," she shared. Basketball has taught her how to navigate uncertainty, overcome setbacks, and remain grateful through it all. "You just have to roll with the punches," she said. Those lessons, she believes, will guide her well beyond the court.
 
One Foot Forward: Yasmeen Delgado's Purpose Driven Path in Track and Life
Yasmeen Delgado's athletic journey did not begin on the track. A longtime ballerina, she spent years immersed in dance before discovering track and field in high school. The shift offered something entirely new. "Track was fun because it was different from what I was used to," Delgado said. "It was something new to be a part of."

What followed was a winding collegiate path that included junior college, eligibility uncertainty during the pandemic, and eventually transferring to Cal Poly Pomona. Graduating high school in 2020 brought challenges few could have anticipated. "There was so much uncertainty," she said. "I thought I was going to fall behind." While the journey took longer than expected, Delgado learned to embrace the process. "Sometimes having more time is better," she reflected. "It let me grow and mature."

Balancing athletics, academics, and motherhood required resilience and support. Delgado leaned heavily on coaches, faculty, advisors, and teammates. "Having those relationships really helped," she said. Through it all, her motivation remained deeply personal. "My why was internal," Delgado explained. "I wanted to finish what I started."

Track taught her patience, consistency, and the importance of staying grounded. "You just keep putting one foot in front of the other," she said. Whether in sport, career, or life, she believes daily effort adds up. Through track and ballet alike, Delgado learned that growth is not always fast, but it is always meaningful.
 
Proving Them Wrong: Vanessa Cruz and the Power of Belonging
Vanessa Cruz's love for soccer was met with resistance early on. As a young girl, she was told the sport was not meant for her. "It kind of broke me down," Cruz said, "but I wanted to prove that I could do it." By age six, she was playing competitive soccer, already learning how to turn doubt into motivation.

Her collegiate career was defined by constant change. From Division One to NAIA and eventually to Division Two, Cruz experienced nearly every level of collegiate soccer. Each transition brought challenges, but also perspective. "There is talent everywhere," she said. "What matters is picking somewhere you feel valued and can grow personally and academically."

After a school closure forced another transfer, Cruz found her place at Cal Poly Pomona. There, she became part of a program that would go on to win a national championship. "We really did something we set our minds to," she said. "One step at a time." The experience reinforced lessons about trust, culture, and collective belief.

Now a senior leader, Cruz is intentional about guiding younger teammates through uncertainty. Soccer taught her how to build connections, lead with confidence, and appreciate every moment. "Take every day as if it were your last," she said. Through every obstacle and triumph, Cruz embodies how sport can create belonging, resilience, and lifelong growth.

Today we celebrate the resilience, ambition, and impact of women redefining sport every day#WeAreCPP #NGWSD2026 pic.twitter.com/WuTNyr2OUn

— Cal Poly Pomona Broncos (@cppbroncos) February 4, 2026