Trojan Candy parked my car in USC Parking Structure X and walked to The Lab Gastropub where the Women of Troy Beach Volleyball Kickoff was located. On the way as I walked by the Merle Norman Beach Volleyball Stadium I saw this Championship banner.
I was one of the first to arrive at the event. On the table at the entrance, there was a tree branch. Each guest could write a "Good Luck Wish" and hang it on the branch.
After writing my "Good Luck Wish," Trojan Candy walked inside the patio, put my stuff down and immediately looked for any Beach Volleyball players to take pictures of.
Luckily, I saw the only Senior that I had not yet interviewed. Kelly Claes agreed to let me take her picture and interview her. Kelly is majoring in Sociology. She started playing beach volleyball when she was eleven or twelve years old. I asked her why she chose USC. With a big smile Kelly said, "Sara made her." Trojan Candy is so glad that Kelly's partner Sara Hughes is so persuasive! They are the #1 Pairs Team in the nation! Next, I asked Kelly if she has any hobbies. She said that she likes to play the video games "Uncharted" and "Zelda." Kelly's absolute favorite food is steak. Her favorite movie is "Dirty Dancing." Her favorite music is alternative music. Finally, Kelly told me that she wants to play beach volleyball professionally after she graduates. That is a goal she will certainly achieve! FIGHT ON, Kelly!
Immediately, Trojan Candy saw four new players. They all smiled for this picture. They are Cammie Dorn, Joy Dennis, Lainy Thomas, and Avery Hazelrigg. Then I found out that they are all new Freshman to our team! I was able to interview each one of them quickly.
Freshman Cammie Dorn is majoring in Communication. She started playing indoor volleyball when she was eight years old and has been playing beach volleyball for four years. Cammie's favorite food is macaroni and cheese. Trojan Candy found out later from a friend that Cammie is a vegetarian. Her favorite singer is Taylor Swift. Cammie told me that she plays the guitar but doesn't sing too much. FIGHT ON, Cammie!
Freshman Lainy Thomas lived in Dallas when she was younger. She chose USC because she wanted to stay in California. Her dual major is International Relations and Global Business. Lainy started playing indoor volleyball when she was twelve and has been playing beach volleyball for four years. Her favorite food is Italian pasta. She, like Cammie, plays the guitar. Although Lainy told me, "...just a little." She likes all kinds of music. Her favorite television show is "The Office." FIGHT ON, Lainy!
Trojan Candy interviewed Freshman Joy Dennis next. Joy is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Occupational Therapy. She chose USC for three reasons. They are our very strong academics, our winning tradition and our Alumni. Joy played indoor volleyball for six years and has played beach volleyball for three years. Her favorite food is salads. Joy's favorite movie is "The Notebook." Joy's favorite musician is rapper YG. She has two hobbies. One is, depending on her mood, shopping. The other is sleeping! FIGHT ON, Joy!
The fourth Freshman Avery Hazelrigg is majoring in Real Estate Development. She chose USC because she said that USC is the best school in her major. Avery also said that she chose USC because it has lots of good athletes. Her dad's uncle was a Trojan. Another USC family! Avery's favorite food is bean and cheese burritos. "Rocky" is her favorite movie. We talked about the "Rocky" statue in Philadelphia. Trojan Candy and her family lived near Philadelphia for almost two years and saw this statue. Avery's favorite singers are the Beatles. Her favorite television show is, like Lainy's, "The Office." FIGHT ON, Avery!
What a wonderful evening to meet new friends and visit with old friends.
FIGHT ON, USC 2017 Beach Volleyball!