April 2019 (1) Candygrams
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Saturday, April 6, 2019---USC Men's Volleyball vs. UCLA and the Senior Salute
USC versus UCLA...nothing else needs to be said.
The two teams met at the net before the match began.
The USC Starters were introduced.
The Spirit of Troy and the Song Girls came to support the team.
Our men beat the Bruins three out of five sets: 2nd Set 25-15, 4th Set 25-20 and 5th Set 15-11.
Here is the end of the fifth set VICTORY!
Now it was time for the Senior Salute. #16 Tyler Resnick was introduced first.
Then Tyler posed with his family.
#5 Matt Douglas was next.
Matt posed with his family and Coach Jeff Nygaard.
The third Senior, #9 Gianluca Grasso, walked out next.
Gianluca joined his family and Coach Nygaard at the net for this picture.
Fourth Senior #24 Ryan Moss shook hands with his teammates on his way to the net.
Then Ryan posed with his family and Coach Nygaard.
Next, the four Seniors and their families joined together with Coach Nygaard at the net.
The four Seniors, who were introduced, posed with Coach Nygaard.
Red-shirt-Senior #20 Jack Wyett came out late from the locker room and posed with his teammates and Coach Nygaard.
The Spirit of Troy joined the team at the net next.
Next, Coach Nygaard and the Song Girls posed with the team.
My husband Jim stayed in the stands with my Canon camera and recorded the entire Senior Salute. Thank you so much, Jim!
Meanwhile, Trojan Candy remained on the court and took a few more pictures.
Ryan Moss and his nephew Bruce posed with the Song Girls.
Senior Gianluca Grasso posed with his mom and dad.
Congratulations and FIGHT ON Tyler, Matt, Gianluca, Ryan and Jack!
FIGHT ON, USC Men's Volleyball!
Saturday, April 6, 2019---Women of Troy Tennis Senior Day
Trojan Candy was at a convention downtown all day, so my husband Jim took these pictures for this blog article.
After our Women of Troy Tennis Team won the Doubles competition against Utah, our coaches started the Senior Day.
Coaches Christopher Wootten, Rachel Manasse, and Alison Swain posed with Senior Manager Jae-Jae Segal and Senior
Rianna Valdes (3/23/2018) and Rianna's Uncle.
Rianna posed with her Uncle.
Then, Seniors Jae-Jae Segal and Rianna Valdes smiled together.
Here is the entire team with the Seniors.
Congratulations and FIGHT ON, Jae-Jae and Rianna!
Now it was time to play the Singles. On Court 5 Danielle Willson was waiting for the serve.
Angela Kulikov was getting ready to return the ball on Court 3.
Rianna Valdes just served on Court 2.
On Center Court Salma Ewing made a powerful return.
Anna Neffa was waiting for the ball on Court 4.
Court 6 was where Constance Branstine waited to return a volley.
Our team, beat Utah 4-0. They celebrated after the VICTORY!
FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Tennis!
Friday, April 5, 2019---Women of Troy Tennis Banquet
Trojan Candy and my husband Jim arrived at the Heritage Hall Bashor Lounge on time for the Women of Troy Tennis Banquet. When we went to our table, I saw that the seats I wanted in order to take better pictures were taken. Then I saw friend Becca Weissmann's name card at the seats. When I asked Rebecca if Jim and I could sit in the two seats, Becca moved over two seats. Thanks, Becca!
I immediately started taking pictures.
Senior
Rianna Valdes (3/23/2018) posed for me first. She is the only Senior Tennis player.
Before dinner, Head Coach Alison Swain honored two ladies for their support of the Women of Troy Tennis program. The first lady was Gretchen Miller who was named "Friend of the Year" for her contributions to Women of Troy Tennis.
Then,
Giuliana Olmos (3/23/2012) was honored as "Alumna of the Year." Giuliana was playing in a tournament and couldn't be here, so her friend Whitney Rotrock read a note from Giu Giu.
Then, Trojan Candy saw Angela Kulikov. I wanted to interview Ange since I didn't at the Australian Open Fund Raising dinner on November 15, 2018. Ange is a Junior majoring in Cognitive Science, which she told me is "glorified" psychology. She is minoring in Sports Media. Ange's favorite food is chicken tenders. Her favorite music is Alternative Pop. GET THIS: Ange's hobby is football! She has even played Quarterback in a game. What an athlete! Ange also enjoys editing videos. Trojan Candy can't wait to see Ang on television as a Sports Commentator! FIGHT ON, Angela!
Next I took pictures of the guests sitting at my table. They were Jennifer Noriega, Philip Siordia and Salma Ewing.
To my right was another teammate Sydney Van Alphen. Sydney's mother Lisa was at her right, and her grandmother Carolyn was at her left.
After dinner, Head Coach Alison Swain began the program. Coach Alison spoke about the season thus far in this video that Jim took.
Trojan Athletic Fund Associate Athletic Director Scott Jacobson spoke next. He said that he is so proud of the team, which the USC Athletic Department considered to be the "hottest" team in the 2019 Spring semester.
Now it was time to honor the two Seniors. Jim's video shows Coach Alison and Becca speaking about the Senior Manager Jae-Jae Segal.
Trojan Candy took a picture of Coach Alison, Jae-Jae and Becca.
Then Coach Alison and Ange Kulikov spoke about Senior Rianna Valdes. Notice Ange wore her special tee shirt.
Trojan Candy took a picture of Coach Alison, Rianna and Ange.
With the program over, Trojan Candy started taking pictures of the team.
Trojan Candy was able to just get this picture of the team.
Becca posed with the two Seniors, Jae-Jae and Rianna.
Assistant Coach Christopher Wootten, Jae-Jae, Coach Alison, Volunteer Tennis Coach Rachel Manasse, and Rianna smiled for this picture.
Then, Ange, Rianna and Becca posed for me.
Next, Salma Ewing and Rianna were in this picture.
Trojan Candy was then able to interview Salma Ewing. Salma, who was born in Pasadena, is a Freshman. She started playing tennis at age 10. Her mother Reyana, who lived in South Africa, played tennis at Georgia State and is Salma's only personal coach. Both Reyana and her father Vincent are Bruins. Salma's favorite food is tacos. Her hobby is baking. Salma's favorite music is Pop Alternative. When Salma was recruited, she told me that she visited USC first. Trojan Candy is so glad that Salma is a Trojan. FIGHT ON, Salma!
This is Rianna's beautiful Senior poster.
Then, I took this picture of four lovely ladies. They were Brooke Williams, Whitney Rotrock, Catherine Hill and Morgan Dyrek.
This poster culminated my blog story.
Our team, beat Utah 4-0. They celebrated after the VICTORY!
Then, Trojan Candy saw Angela Kulikov. I wanted to interview Ange since I didn't at the Australian Open Fund Raising dinner on November 15, 2018. Ange is a Junior majoring in Cognitive Science, which she told me is "glorified" psychology. She is minoring in Sports Media. Ange's favorite food is chicken tenders. Her favorite music is Alternative Pop. GET THIS: Ange's hobby is football! She has even played Quarterback in a game. What an athlete! Ange also enjoys editing videos. Trojan Candy can't wait to see Ang on television as a Sports Commentator! FIGHT ON, Angela!
Trojan Candy was then able to interview Salma Ewing. Salma, who was born in Pasadena, is a Freshman. She started playing tennis at age 10. Her mother Reyana, who lived in South Africa, played tennis at Georgia State and is Salma's only personal coach. Both Reyana and her father Vincent are Bruins. Salma's favorite food is tacos. Her hobby is baking. Salma's favorite music is Pop Alternative. When Salma was recruited, she told me that she visited USC first. Trojan Candy is so glad that Salma is a Trojan. FIGHT ON, Salma!
