March 2014 (2) Candygrams

Monday, March 17, 2014---Women of Troy Basketball NCAA Placement Celebration

Jim and I arrived at the Galen Center Founder's Room at 3:00 p.m. for Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament Selection Day. Excitement filled the air already! There was a banner honoring our Pac-12 Championship!

The first Women of Troy Basketball player to arrive was friend Ariya Crook (6/23/2011). She posed for her picture by the 2014 Pac-12 Women's Basketball Tournament Bracket poster.

A few minutes later, Seniors Cassie Harberts and Desiree' Bradley arrived. They noticed and enjoyed the poster also.

Trojan Candy walked around the Founder's Room, looking for more team members. The next five pictures are of the team.

Ariya Crook and Destinie Gibbs (9/27/2012)

Maria Kemiji-McDonald, Deanna Calhoun, Kaneisha Horn, Brianna Barrett, Jordan Adams, Courtney Jaco, and Drew Edelman

Front: Maria Kemiji-McDonald, Deanna Calhoun (6/23/2011), Kaneisha Horn top: Brianna Barrett, Jordan Adams, Courtney Jaco, Drew Edelman

Kaneisha Horn, Kate Oliver, and Deanna Calhoun

Kiki Alofaituli, Ariya Crook, Destinie Gibbs, and Desiree' Bradley

Kiki Alofaituli (8/4/2011), Ariya Crook, Destinie Gibbs, and Desiree' Bradley

Drew Edelman, Deanna Calhoun, and Alexyz Vaioletama

Drew Edelman, Deanna Calhoun, (She is all over the room!) Alexyz Vaioletama (6/23/2011)

The Women of Troy really know how to party! There was so much scrumptious food and brownies too! As Trojan Candy was enjoying the food, a good friend and fellow ex-Heritage Hall volunteer, Grant Nichol, modeled his hat for me. I like it, Grant!

The team gathered in front of the championship banner. FIGHT ON, Pac-12 Tournament Champions!

A few minutes before 4:00 p.m. the entire team sat in front of the large screen. Trojan Candy took these pictures before our placement was announced.

Second row of the team

Then, the team saw footage of themselves on an ESPN clip! Roars and excitement prevailed!

More cheers!

Coach Cynthia Cooper was definitely proud of and happy for her team.

Our placement was announced on the screen in the Louisville bracket.

Bring on St. John's!

Donna Heinel, Cynthia Cooper, and Pat Haden

After the announcement, Trojan Candy took a few more pictures of friends who were in attendance. Donna Heinel, Coach Cynthia, and Pat Haden.

Men's Volleyball Coach Bill Ferguson and Cassie's dad Craig Harberts.

Brianna Barrett, Rhonda Windham, and Jordan Adams

Brianna Barrett, Rhonda Windham (3/19/2010), and Jordan Adams

Congratulations, Women of Troy Basketball! FIGHT ON in the NCAA tournament!

It's always fun to beat the Irish! Trojan Candy arrived at the Marks Stadium early in order to get a choice seat...the top row on the aisle between Courts 1 and 2.

Let the match begin!

The Doubles were played first.

On Court 1 were Yannick Hanfmann and Ray Sarmiento (3/11/2011).

On Court 2 were Rob Bellamy and Roberto Quiroz.

On Court 3 were Max deVroome and Eric Johnson.

Sitting in the stands was a familiar face. Women of Troy Basketball Coach Cynthia Cooper and her two children were cheering on the Trojans. Coach Cynthia told Trojan Candy that both her son and daughter play tennis. She also said that both her children will attend USC! Another Trojan Family! FIGHT ON, Coach Cynthia!

Ray and Yannick won their Doubles match first 8-5 on Court 1. Then, Max and Eric won their Doubles match 8-6 on Court 3 to clinch the Doubles point.

With USC ahead 1-0 in the match, the Singles matchups were set.

On Court 5, Junior Eric Johnson was the first to win his singles match by 6-2, 6-1.

On Court 4, Sophomore Max deVroome was second to win at 6-2 and 6-3.

On Court 3, Junior Roberto Quiroz clinched the match with 6-2, 6-3 wins.

On Court 2, Junior Yanick Hanfmann won 6-4, 7-5.

On Court 6, Senior Michael Grant (9/29/2011) won 6-1, 6-4.

On Court 1, Senior Ray Sarmiento finished with 7-5, 6-3 wins.

What a complete VICTORY! Captain Ray Sarmiento's handshake at Court 1 ends the competition!

During each match this season, the non-playing members of the 2014 USC Men's Tennis Team sit together in the stands to root on the team. Trojan Candy took a picture of the rest of the team (Rob Bellamy, Nick Crystal, Manager Mark, and David Laser) on April 5th when they beat Cal 4-0.

Trojan Candy also took a picture of another integral "member" of the Men's team. Athletic Trainer Drew Morcos (10/7/2010), his wife Sally, their son Jacob, and their daughter Emma attended the April 5th match against Cal also. FIGHT ON, Drew!

FIGHT ON, USC Men's Tennis!