April 2019 (5) Candygrams

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Saturday, April 27, 2019---Pac-12 Women's Beach Volleyball Championships

BracketOur Women of Troy Beach Volleyball Team stayed in the "Winners Bracket" when we defeated UCLA 3-2 on Friday, 4/26/2019. Today was the Pac-12 Championship match. UCLA had to defeat Cal at the 11:00 a.m. match and then play us from the "Contenders Bracket." Trojan Candy arrived at the Merle Norman Stadium early to get a good seat.

At first, I was able to walk upstairs in the parking garage to get videos, but as the match proceeded, the Fire Department cleared out all of the spectators in the garage. Trojan Candy had a difficult time even getting back into the stadium. Luckily, the lady at the gate knew that I had been inside originally, so she let me back in. Phew!

The Championship Match had two flights. In the first flight Pairs 4 and 5 played on Courts 1 and 2 respectively.

Introductions
The USC and UCLA players on both courts were introduced.
Cammie Dorn and Mollie Eberten
#24 Cammie Dorn (3/2/2017) and #30 Mollie Eberten were on Court 2.
Maja Kaiser and Joy Dennis
#3 Maja Kaiser (2/22/2018) and #11 Joy Dennis (3/2/2017) played on Court 1.
Joy Dennis and Maja Kaiser
Joy and Maja congratulate one another after winning a point.

Unfortunately, both Flight One teams lost to the Bruins in two sets. That meant that all three USC Second Flight Teams had to win their matches if we wanted to be Pac-12 Champs.

Tina Graudina and Abril Bustamante
At Court 1, #14 Tina Graudina (2/22/2018) and #10 Abril Bustamante (5/8/2018) were in action.
Abril Bustamante and Tina Graudina
Abril and Tina celebrated a point.
Sammy Slater and Terese Cannon
#4 Sammy Slater (2/22/2018) and #41 Terese Cannon (5/8/2018) were playing on Court 2.
Sammy Slater and Terese Cannon
Sammy and Terese celebrated a point.
Haley Hallgren and Alexandra Poletto
Our #3 Pairs #12 Haley Hallgren (2/22/2018) and #2 Alexandra Poletto (2/22/2018) were ready to play.
Alexandra Poletto and Haley Hallgren
Alexandra and Haley celebrate a point.
Video
This video shows action in all three courts.
Haley Hallgren and Alexandra Poletto
Haley and Alexandra earned our first point.
Video
Tina Graudina and Abril Bustamante beat the McNamara twins to tie the team score at 2-2.
Terese Cannon and Sammy Slater
Trojan Candy recorded the final match on Court 2.
Victory
Terese Cannon and Sammy Slater won on Court 2 and won the 2019 Pac 12 Women's Beach Volleyball Championship!
Video
We won the three matches. How exciting!

Now it was time to celebrate. Trojan Candy took videos and pictures with my two cameras as I went down to the court.

Anna Collier
Head Coach Anna Collier was so happy in her post match interview.
Sammy Slater, Haley Hallgren, Laurel Kujan, Maja Kaiser, and Alexandra Poletto
Five Trojans in their Championship t-shirts smiled for Trojan Candy. They were Sammy Slater, Haley Hallgren, Laurel Kujan (2/21/2019), Maja Kaiser, and Alexandra Poletto.
Tina Graudina
Tina Graudina posed for me.
Trophies
Here was the trophy table.
Haley Hallgren, Tina Graudina, Alexandra Poletto, Sammy Slater, Joy Dennis and Abril Bustamante
Now, six Trojans happily smiled for Trojan Candy. They were Haley Hallgren, Tina Graudina, Alexandra Poletto, Sammy Slater, Joy Dennis and Abril Bustamante.
Championship Team
Our Championship Team held the banner and smiled.
Terese Cannon, Sammy Slater, Abril Bustamante and Tina Graudina
The Pac-12 All-Tournament Team included the four Trojans Terese Cannon, Sammy Slater, Abril Bustamante and Tina Graudina. Congratulation Terese, Sammy, Abril and Tina!
Awards Ceremony
This video shows the Awards Ceremony.
All-Tournament Team
This video shows the All-Tournament Team.
Huddle
There was a final joyful huddle.
Dudley Poon, Jerry Ensom and Patti Poon
In the stands, good friend Jerry Ensom celebrated our victory with my brother-in-law Dudley and sister Patti.
Jerry Ensom and Joy Dennis
Jerry celebrated with friend Joy Dennis.

All-Tournament TeamFinally Jerry celebrated with my dancer friend Loffarelli.

What an utterly exciting VICTORY!

FIGHT ON, USC Women of Troy Beach Volleyball!

P.S.: My good friend Ray Wong was also taking pictures of the entire match. He sent me an album of his pictures. I chose twelve of his beautiful pictures to add to my article. Thanks, Ray! Here they are:

Three courts
A view of all three courts.
Abril Bustamante and Tina Graudina
Abril Bustamante and Tina Graudina smiling.
Cammie Dorn
Cammie Dorn about to return the ball.
Tina Graudina
Tina Graudina's SC tattoo.
Nicole McNamara and Abril Bustamante
Nicole McNamara and Abril Bustamante jousting on the ball.
Terese Cannon and Sammy Slater
Terese Cannon and Sammy Slater slapping hands.
Eric Fonoimoana and Gustavo Rocha
Assistant coaches Eric Fonoimoana and Gustavo Rocha.
SC Team
SC Team cheering at Court 2.
Sammy Slater and Terese Cannon
Sammy and Terese realize that "We Won!"
Celebration
The USC Team rushed the court and encircled Terese and Sammy.
Terese Cannon, Sammy Slater, Abril Bustamante and Tina Graudina
Trojans on All Tournament Team.
Final huddle
Coach Anna Collier in the final huddle.