[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 129 (Friday, August 9, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E812-E813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WOMEN'S BEACH VOLLEYBALL 
              TEAM ON THEIR 2024 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP WIN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SYDNEY KAMLAGER-DOVE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 9, 2024

  Ms. KAMLAGER-DOVE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
University of Southern California (USC) Women's Beach Volleyball 
National Championship win. Their victory on May 5th marked the team's 
fourth straight championship and seventh overall national title, as 
well as the 136th national championship for the University of Southern 
California. In addition, it is the 28th National Collegiate Athletic 
Association (NCAA) win for the Woman of Troy.
  On behalf of the 37th Congressional District, I want to extend an 
enthusiastic congratulations to Ashley Pater, Grace Hong, Delaney

[[Page E813]]

Karl, Mabyn Thomas, Olivia Bakos, Madison Goellner, Madison White, 
Emily Fitznek, Bailey Showalter, Megan Kraft, Maddi Kriz, Delaynie 
Maple, Molly Phillips, Zoey Mitchell, Audrey Nourse, Ainsley Radell, 
Grace Seits, Klaire VanDeusen, Gabby Walker, Kaylee Young, 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. Their dedication to drawing out the best in 
their players and serving as encouraging voices has no doubt played a 
part in this victory.
  Athletics are a celebration of the human spirit. Playing a sport at 
the Division I collegiate level is no small feat, that level of play 
requires hustle and determination. The Women of Troy have shown us the 
power of unity in achieving high-arching goals; their spirit of 
camarderie has allowed them to overcome obstacles and emerge 
victorious. Their shared goal and commitment to one another helped them 
achieve an unprecedented fourth-straight championship for a USC women's 
team.
  In June, we celebrated the 52nd 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 seventh beach volleyball national 
title while battling their crosstown rivals, the University of 
California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins. Twin sisters Audrey and Nicole 
Nourse won the deciding match for a second year straight, leading their 
team to claim victory once again in the 2024 NCAA championship.
  The Nourse sisters, along with other graduating student-athletes, 
deserve special recognition as they move on to new endeavors. Seniors 
Olivia Bakos, Megan Kraft, and Delaynie Maple and graduate students 
Ainsley Radell, Grace Seits, Maddi Kriz, Molly Phillips, Emily Fitzer, 
Audrey Nourse and Nicole Nourse should be proud of then leadership and 
example-setting. We will all miss watching them play, and we will never 
forget the 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 he 
prouder to share an alma mater with these remarkable women. I stand 
here today to say Fight On, Trojans.

                          ____________________