May 2016 (1) Candygrams

Tuesday, May 3, 2016---Women of Troy Senior Salute

My husband Jim and I saw her as we were walking to the Bashor Lounge in Heritage Hall. LeeAnne Sera (11/9/2012) smiled, said "Hi," and posed for this picture with Jim. LeeAnne flew down from Northern California for a Women of Troy Board meeting. She told us that she couldn't stay for the Senior Salute reception. Always so nice to see her. FIGHT ON, LeeAnne!

There were four Women of Troy athletes at the check-in desk. Naturally, Trojan Candy took their picture. The Seniors were Kaitlyn Couture (Lacrosse), Carley Horan (10/11/2012) (Lacrosse), Paige Keating (Tennis), and Tera Novy (Track and Field). FIGHT ON, Kaitlyn! FIGHT ON, Carley! FIGHT ON, Paige! FIGHT ON, Tera!

Once inside, Trojan Candy saw two familiar faces. Trojan Guild friend Christine Ofiesh asked me to take a picture of her with two friends. They were Steve Price and friend Bob Padgett.

Trojan Candy walked around the lounge, put my stuff on a chair, found Jim in line for the El Cholo food, and saw another familiar face. I interviewed Felicia Horvath (4/1/2016) when we were still volunteering at the Heritage Hall lobby desk. She is a graduating Senior this year and finishing her competitive career as a Pole Vaulter. FIGHT ON, Felicia!

Tara Quarrie introduced the Mistress of Ceremonies, Head Coach of the Women of Troy Beach Volleyball Team Anna Collier. Anna had all of the Seniors come to the front. She had each Senior introduce herself and tell the sport she competed in. Here is a picture of Anna with two Track and Field Seniors, Jenna Tong who competed in distances and the steeplechase and Katerina Berdousi who competed in the middle distances and Cross Country. FIGHT ON, Jenna! FIGHT ON, Katerina!

After every Senior introduced herself, all of them posed for this picture. In front are Natalie Kalibat, Jacquelyn Suitt, Lucy Worrall, Brianna Weinstein, Jenna Tong, and Felicia Horvath. In back are Natasha Strickland, Katherine Van Winkle, Sam Adams (2/4/2015), Tera Novy, Paige Keating, Carley Horan, Kaitlyn Couture, Kamali Houston, and Katerina Berdousi smiled for this picture. Congratulations, Women of Troy Seniors!

Trojan Candy roamed around the lounge and took more pictures of the Seniors.

Tera Novy, Natasha Strickland, Felicia Horvath, and Katerina Berdousi

Tera Novy who competed in the Discus and has qualified for the Olympic trials, Natasha Strickland who competed in the 800 m and ran Cross Country, Felicia Horvath, and Katerina Berdousi. FIGHT ON, Natasha!

Jeff Tong, Joyce Tong, Ethel Lew, Jenna Tong, and Michael Lew

Next, I caught up with Jenna Tong's family. Jeff and Joyce Tong, Ethel Lew, Jenna, and Michael Lew.

Lucy Worrall, Katherine Van Winkle, and Sam Adams

Lucy Worrall who swims the 100 m Fly, Katherine Van Winkle who competed in Diving, and Sam Adams who is also a diver posed for this picture. Sam produced the marvelous video of many Senior Trojans that we were fortunate to see. FIGHT ON, Lucy! FIGHT ON, Katherine! Fantastic video and FIGHT ON, Sam!

As Jim and I were leaving, I took two more pictures.

Anna Collier, Kaitlyn Couture, Carley Horan, and Becky Gramstrup

Coach Anna, Kaitlyn Couture, Carley Horan, and Becky Gramstrup smiled from behind the counter.

Mark and Karen Tanimura and Nancy Kindelan

Then, friends and Women of Troy Board Members, Mark and Karen Tanimura and new friend Nancy Kindelan said, "Good night."

Sunday, May 1, 2016---Beach Volleyball Pac-12 Championship

At the entrance of the Merle Norman Stadium, Trojan Candy saw two beautiful sand sculptures. The Pac 12 Network sculpture.

The Pac 12 100 years sculpture.

Then, I saw the Pac-12 Championship Trophy.

Standing near the entrance was good friend Paige Hines (1/31/2014) and her roommate Sara Hughes' Aunt Dawn.

Just inside the gate Trojan Candy saw three more good friends---Jessika Carrington, Anita Ybarra, and Karen Trust.

Athletic Director Pat Haden smiled for this picture.

Friend Todd Davis came by to say, "Hello."

Our Women of Troy Beach Volleyball Team was warming up on all three courts. Our opponents, the Arizona Wildcats, were resting from the match they had just finished.

Our Beach Volleyball Team swept the Arizona Wildcats 3-0. Partners Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes clinched the first Pac-12 Beach Volleyball Title for USC!

Watch the video of the team celebration.

Here are our Pac-12 Champions!

Then watch this video of the Pac-12 interview of Sara Hughes (1/31/2014) and Head Coach Anna Collier.

The All-Tournament Selections received their trophies. Sara Hughes and Kelly Claes are on the left.

Our team wearing beautiful leis posed with the banner and trophy.

Partners Allie Wheeler (3/5/2015) and Nicolette Martin (3/5/2015) kiss the trophy.

Kelly Claes, Dain Blanton, and Sara Hughes

Kelly Claes, Volunteer Assistant Coach Dain Blanton and Sara Hughes posed together.

Partners Abril Bustamante and Jenna Belton smiled for this picture.

Partners Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes posed with the trophy.

Just'N Thymes, Alexa Strange, and Zyaire Clemes

Alexa Strange (3/3/2016) visited with two USC Track Team sprinters, Just'N Thymes, and Zyaire Clemes.

Then, Trojan Candy ran over in the sand to take this picture of two Cheer Team members and the Champions. Look who're doing the splits!

On the court, I took these pictures of Kelly Claes with her dad Paul.

Sara Hughes with her dad Rory.

As Trojan Candy was leaving the stadium, I was finally able to take a picture of Alexa Strange with her parents Tara and Greg.

At the exit, I took this video of our Women of Troy Pac-12 Champions happily destroying the sand sculptures.

What a SMASHING ending to a perfect day!

FIGHT ON to VICTORY, Women of Troy Beach Volleyball, in the first NCAA Championship!