Trojan Candy arrived at the Merle Norman Stadium at 4:15 pm. It’s been two years since I have been able to see the Women of Troy Beach Volleyball Team live. The stadium was bustling with excitement. Trojan Candy got to work as soon as I could.
I saw friend Jerry Ensom with Volunteer Assistant Coach Laurel Weaver.
Then I started taking pictures of as many USC Beach Volleyball players that I could. Time was of the essence. The first player was Hailey Harward (2/21/2020). Hailey posed with her roommate Willa. After I took Hailey’s picture Trojan Candy interviewed her. Hailey is a graduate student from Long Beach. She is majoring in Marketing. Her favorite food is Raising Cane’s chicken fingers. Hailey likes all music. She also sings at church. Her favorite cartoon character is Sponge Bob. FIGHT ON, Hailey!
Trojan Candy saw five Beach Volleyball players standing together.
Trojan Candy asked Delaynie if I could take her picture and interview her. She agreed. Here is Delaynie. She is a sophomore majoring in Communication. She has been playing beach volleyball for eight years. Her favorite food is pasta. “Titanic” is her favorite movie. As for music, Delaynie said that she likes country music. Lastly, she said that she likes to read volleyball magazines. FIGHT ON, Delaynie!
Eden told me that Ava Gallien and she are friends from high school and that both of them are from Manhattan Beach. Ava is a freshman who is majoring in Communication. She likes to go to the beach. No wonder that she is now competing in Beach Volleyball at USC! Ava’s favorite food is Mexican food. Her favorite movie is “Grown-Up.” FIGHT ON, Ava!
Trojan Candy took this picture of the two friends, Eden and Ava.
Just to the right, I saw four more team members. They were Emily Hansen, Megan Kraft (2/22/2022), Olivia Bakos and Mollie Ebertin.
Next, Trojan Candy met and interviewed Megan Kraft. Megan 
started playing beach volleyball when she was in the 8th grade. She is majoring in Accounting. Megan’s favorite food is pasta. In addition to beach volleyball, Megan enjoys swimming and surfing. Her favorite movie is “Remember the Titans.” As for music, Megan likes just about all kinds of music, but Rap is her favorite. FIGHT ON, Megan!
Next, Trojan Candy took this picture of the Number 1 High School Beach Volleyball partners, Megan Kraft and Delaynie Maple. They played at Torrey Pines High School.
Beach Volleyball Head Coach Dain Blanton posed with his team.
Trojan Candy finally saw her! I was able to take a picture of Olympian Tina Graudina (2/22/2018). Tina, 
who is from Jurmala, Latvia, is a senior who is earning her Masters in Communication Management. As an undergrad she studied Political Science. Tina has been playing beach volleyball for ten years. Her favorite food are fruits. Hiking is one of her hobbies. Tina likes to read mystery books. FIGHT ON, Tina!
Trojan Candy had initially interviewed Sammy Slater on February 22, 2018. I decided to catch up with her now since she is a graduate student who is part of the team. Sammy told me that as a graduate team member, she is taking more of a leadership role with the team. She is learning the new dynamic....Keep it fun! Sammy goes to a farmer’s market more now, because she cooks a ton of vegetables because she is a vegan. KEEP FIGHTING ON, Sammy!
Now it was almost time for the program and introductions to start.
It was time for the program now. Jim went into the stands to take a video of the program, and I stood on the sand to take pictures and videos.
KEEP FIGHTING ON, WOMEN OF TROY BEACH VOLLEYBALL!