[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 122 (Monday, July 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (USC) WOMEN'S BEACH 
                            VOLLEYBALL TEAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SYDNEY KAMLAGER-DOVE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 17, 2023

  Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
University of Southern California (USC) Women's Beach Volleyball 
National Championship win. Last month's victory marked the team's third 
straight championship and sixth overall national title, as well as the 
135th national championship for the University of Southern California. 
In addition, it is the 27th National Collegiate Athletic Association 
(NCAA) win for a USC women's athletics team.
  On behalf of the 37th Congressional District, I want to extend an 
enthusiastic congratulations to Harper Hallgren, Delaney Karl, Jenna 
Johnson, Mabyn Thomas, Olivia Bakos, Madison White, Colby Bennett, 
Tatiana Rusich, Sterling Fischer, Bailey Showalter, Ava Gallien, Ashlyn 
Rasnick-Pope, Megan Kraft, Delaynie Maple, Audrey Norse, Klaire 
VanDeusen, Caitlin Cummings, Gabby Walker, Madison Shields, and Nicole 
Nourse on their impressive triumph. Kudos for all their hard work.
  I would also like to congratulate Coach Dain Blanton, Assistant 
Coaches Gustavo Rocha and Emily Hansen, and Director of Operations 
Claire Kieffer-Wright, who all played a vital role in leading these 
young women to victory. Coach Blanton has accomplished the near 
impossible by leading his team to back-to-back-to-back wins as head 
coach and has enjoyed prior victories as assistant coach. Coach 
Blanton, Assistant Coaches Rocha and Hansen, and Director Kieffer-
Wright's dedication to drawing out the best in their players and 
serving as encouraging voices has no doubt helped the team on their 
path to victory.
  Athletics are a celebration of the human spirit. Playing a sport at 
the Division 1 collegiate level is no small feat, but playing at that 
level and being the best requires hustle and determination. They push 
themselves to their limits and train hard with their teammates day 
after day. This team has shown us the power of unity in achieving high 
arching goals; their spirit of camaraderie has allowed them to overcome 
obstacles and emerge victorious, supporting each other along the way. 
Their shared goal and commitment to one another powered them through 
the long season and delivered them to triumph.
  This month, we will celebrate the 51st anniversary of Title IX. 
Decades ago, women wouldn't have had the opportunity to be part of a 
collegiate level, championship-winning team. The USC Women's Beach 
Volleyball team has inspired countless young girls to pursue their 
dreams fearlessly and are a testament to the progress that has been 
made in athletics.
  The Women of Troy secured their sixth beach volleyball national title 
while battling their crosstown rivals, the University of California, 
Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins. The neck-and-neck May 7th championship match 
all came down to the last set with senior twin sisters Audrey and 
Nicole Nourse on the court. After going back and forth in the tight set 
with the Bruins, the Nourse sisters led their team to a 15-11 win to 
claim victory in the match and the 2023 NCAA championship.
  I want to offer special recognition to the graduating students on the 
team. Seniors Harper Hallgren, Audrey Nourse, and Nicole Nourse and 
graduate students Jenna Johnson, Madison Shields, and Ashlyn Rasnick-
Pope should be proud of their leadership of the team over the past few 
years and their incredible back-to-back-to-back wins. We will all miss 
watching them play, and we will never forget the indelible mark they 
have made.
  As a USC alumna, I was excited to meet the Women of Troy and 
congratulate them on their National Championship title. I could not be 
prouder to share an alma mater with these remarkable women. Fight On, 
Trojans.

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