Tuesday, May 8, 2018---Women of Troy Beach Volleyball Banquet

My husband Jim and I were excited about going to the Beach Volleyball Banquet. Our women had steadily improved after numerous partner changes near the end of the season. Watch out for our team next year!

The Brian & Susan Kennedy Founders' Club in the Galen Center wasn't crowded yet. Trojan Candy was able to take pictures and interview some Beach Volleyball athletes.

First I took pictures of the gift bags for the two Seniors Jenna Belton and Jo Kremer.

There were five blankets for the Freshmen Maja Kaiser, Sammy Slater, Peri Green, Haley Hallgren and Tina Graudina.

Then, there were the trophies to be awarded.

Now, it was time to start taking pictures of the team. There was a "baker" in the house! Sammy Slater (2/22/2018), Peri Green and Alexandra Poletto (2/22/2018) brought freshly baked desserts for the guests to eat. Trojan Candy tried the chocolate one. Mmmm! Thanks, Ladies!

Trojan Candy spotted Abril Bustamante. I rushed over to her, took her picture and started to interview her. Abril, a Junior from Redondo Beach, is majoring in Communication. She started playing both indoor and beach volleyball when she was twelve years old. This season was especially difficult for Abril. She told me that she played with a broken left hand! More personally, Abril's favorite food is meat and breakfast sausage. She likes to sing all kinds of music, except country music. When I asked her if she has any favorite movies, Abril said that she doesn't watch movies, but watches documentaries. Abril told me that she really likes to hang out with her teammates. FIGHT ON, Abril!

Right after I finished interviewing Abril, fellow Junior Katrina Kernochan joined her for this picture.

Walking around, Trojan Candy saw friend Tim Seno and my husband Jim. The two guys smiled for this picture.

Nearby were five Beach Volleyball teammates. They were Lainy Thomas (3/2/2017), Haley Hallgren (2/22/2018), Maja Kaiser (2/22/2018), Peri Green and Sammy Slater.

As the guests were finishing dinner, I saw Alexandra Poletto and Terese Cannon (3/3/2016).

Terese is a Senior, but she has one more year of eligibility. Luckily, there was time to "catch up" with Terese, since I had interviewed her in 2016. She told me that she is graduating in May with a degree in Accounting. Terese will play Beach Volleyball as a graduate student next season. Her favorite food is chocolate. Another Trojan with my same tastes! Her hobby is reading fiction novels. To Kill a Mockingbird is her favorite novel. Terese also likes to "hang out" with friends. When I asked Terese about her favorite movie, she said that she likes Romantic comedies the most. FIGHT ON, Terese!

At a nearby table, Trojan Candy took a picture of the two Seniors who were being honored. Head Coach Anna Collier joined Jo Kremer (3/3/2016) and Jenna Belton (5/10/2017).

Trojan Candy saw a cute baby! Volunteer Assistant Coach Dain Blanton was proudly holding his son.

Now, it was time for the program to start. Four of our Freshmen were introduced. Haley Hallgren, Maja Kaiser, Sammy Slater and Peri Green smiled for the audience.

Freshman Tina Graudina wasn't present because she was playing beach volleyball in Europe.

Then, the Freshmen were given their blankets.

Head Coach Anna Collier had each player introduce her partner in these next six videos. Katrina Kernochan and Jo Kremer were first.

Maja Kaiser and Jenna Belton were next.

The Awards were announced next by Coaches Dain Blanton, Anna Collier and Gustavo Rocha.

Here are the winners:

• Grown the most academically and socially Irvin Award: Alexandra Poletto
• So willing to help, courageous, outstanding scholastic Spirit of Troy Award: Terese Cannon
• Most Inspirational Award: Abril Bustamante
• Most Valuable Player: Tina Graudino
• Faced adversity, bounced back Coaches Award: Jenna Belton

After taking the team pictures, Trojan Candy roamed around taking more personal pictures.

Joy Dennis, who sat at Jim and Trojan Candy's Patron Sponsored table, posed with her parents Julie and Darryl.

Joy's mom Julie posed with Lainy Thomas, who also sat at our table.

Friend Tom Gresczyk wanted a picture with Joy Dennis.