My husband Jim and I parked our car at the Coliseum parking lot for the Washington State football game and walked all the way to the Bashor Lounge at Heritage Hall. When we arrived at 12:30 pm, the lounge was already quite full. I put my cameras and bag down. Then I started taking pictures.
I saw her first. Tina Graudina was talking to three parents. All four of them posed for my first picture. From left to right were Tom and Karil Scully (Shannon's parents), Tina Graudina (2/26/2022), and Cyndi Devereaux. Tina flew in for the celebration. She has already started playing professionally.
Next, I walked out to the patio. Trojan Candy saw two good friends there. The Beach Volleyball announcer Leland Waters and the Women’s Beach Volleyball SID Jeremy Wu posed for my picture.
At a nearby table, Trojan Candy saw three team members. From left to right they were sophomore Ava Kirunchyk, sophomore Savannah Davis, and senior Harper Haligren.
Trojan Candy walked inside to look for more team members. Then I saw the twins, seniors Audrey (2/21/2020) and Nicole Nourse (2/21/2020) talking with Heidi Kraft (teammate Megan Kraft's mother).
Next, Trojan Candy took this picture of Mollie Ebertin and Paige Dreeuws.
Now it is time to take pictures of some of the other guests. My seat was next to my sister Patti and my brother-in-law Dudley Poon.
Right in front of us were three friends. Tim Seno and Wandy and Larry Jung. Yes, the food they were holding was that delicious! YUM!
Now, it was time for the Ring Ceremony to begin. Some of our players were out of town playing beach volleyball professionally. The other team members sat in four rows. Trojan Candy took a picture of each row. Sitting in the back row were junior Olivia Bakos, sophomore Colby Bennett, ?, and sophomore Ava Gallien (2/26/2022).
Here is a close-up of their rings.
Congratulations 2022 Women of Troy Beach Volleyball NCAA Champions!
FIGHT ON, FOREVER, Women of Troy Beach Volleyball!
My husband Jim and I were able to see several Women of Troy tennis players compete against Gonzaga and Arizona in the Women of Troy Tennis Invitational at Marks Stadium. The Doubles were played first.
Unfortunately, Sophomore Sloane Morra and Freshman Emma Charney lost to Gonzaga’s Broerman/Sloan 6-4.
In singles, the Women of Troy won all three matches. McKenna Koenig beat Gonzaga’s Jenna Sloan 6-2, 3-6, 10 (3). Nathalie Rodilosso defeated Gonzaga’s Tiegan Aitken 7-6 (11), 6-1. Grace Piper beat Arizona’s Kayla Wilkins 6-2, 6-4.
FIGHT ON, Women of Troy Tennis!
My husband Jim and I were invited to a Women of Troy basketball practice in Galen Center. Basketball season is starting soon!
Trojan Candy saw a familiar face walking around in the gym. It was Kurt Karis, who is now the Director of Scouting for our Men’s Basketball Team. Since I hadn’t interviewed Kurt when he played on our men’s team in 2013-2017, I had to interview him now. I saw Kurt step outside, so I rushed out to interview him. Kurt, with a smile, let me interview him. He told me that he attended USC graduate school for two years, and then he became the Director of Scouting for Coach Enfield. Then, he told me that he has proposed to his girlfriend Jillian, and they are getting married in September 2023. CONGRATULATIONS, Kurt and Jillian! More personally, Kurt told me that he and Jillian take walks in the neighborhood. They like to cook together and try out new restaurants. Kurt’s favorite food is pepperoni pizza. For hobbies he plays Pickleball and Ping Pong. He likes to watch movies, and his favorite music is Hip Hop and Electric Dance Music. Kurt’s favorite artist is Elvis! Thanks for letting me finally interview you, Kurt, and FIGHT ON!
After Kurt's interview, I returned to the practice. Head Coach Lindsay Gottlieb gathered the team together in a huddle. I took a video. Coach Gottlieb introduced a Woman of Troy Alumna Kristen Simon, who played at SC in 2014-2018. Read Kristen’s INTERVIEW HERE (12/30/2018). Finally, the team sang “Happy Birthday” to Director of Player Development Courtney Jaco.
After the huddle broke, the team shook hands with all of the spectators and thanked each one for attending the practice.
All the invitees posed together for this picture.
Next, we went downstairs for a reception with refreshments. Trojan Candy had time to visit with Kristen Simon. She has been playing year round overseas. Currently, Kristen has been in Israel for 6-8 months. She has kept in contact with her teammates. Kristen mentioned Amy Okonkwo, who is playing overseas, and Cheyanne Wallace, 
who is coaching. So nice to see you again, Kristen! KEEP FIGHTING ON!
Kristen's teammate Courtney Jaco joined her for this picture. Trojan Candy interviewed Courtney on March 24, 2017. KEEP FIGHTING ON, Courtney!
Danielle Duran, Rashaad Moore, and Jennifer Noriega posed for this picture.
After the refreshments, we moved into another larger room where Coach Gottlieb usually has team meetings. 
She then showed us a team workout video.
Thank you so much, Coach Gottlieb! What an exciting practice!