CARSON -- A number of former Cal State Dominguez Hills student-athletes have turned in one uniform for another, currently finding themselves in the middle of today's fight against COVID-19.  

GoToros.com salutes these alums, and will recognize their heroic efforts on the front line as the pandemic continues to alter the way we go about our daily activities.

This profile in courage features Abbey Haerle (nee Prusa), a 4-year member of the Toros volleyball team who currently serves as a nurse at the Antelope Valley Hospital after graduating from CSUDH in 2014. In her storied career, Abbey has etched herself in the CSUDH record books, sitting in the top 10 in career block assists.  Off the court, Abbey married David Haerle, who played baseball for the Toros during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Thank you, Abbey, for your commitment and dedication to serve.
 

Vitals	Hometown	Leona Valley
	Sport (Years)	Volleyball (2010-13)
	CSUDH Graduation	2014 in Health Science
	Postgraduate Graduation	2018 from Moorpark College
	Current Profession	RN in the Neuro/Stroke Unit at AV Valley Hospital

How I'm helping:
"When the crisis first began, we had rule out and positive COVID-19 patients on our unit. Since then the hospital has made a unit designated to these patients. In anticipation for a surge I was volunteered to be part of the COVID surge plan and are ready for it."

My motivation to help is:
"With all that is happening there is a no visitor policy and patients are scared of what we are all scared of, the unknown. Being the person by their side during this pandemic is what motivates me."

How life has changed in 2020:
"I go to work like normal but what has changed is the stress level. Fortunately I work with an amazing group and we hold each other together. My husband is still working during this time. We bought a house in January and are making the best of the little extra time off we have had together during this quarantine."

How my participation in collegiate athletics influences me during the current pandemic:
"The importance of teamwork has influenced me the most. Being able to work with so many different components that make up the hospital has made the biggest impact of making things flow as smoothly as they can."