On November 29, the USC volleyball faced Iowa’s challenge on the home turf. The No. 20 team, however, did not frown. Rather, the squad had been soaking up emotions as the night posed to be the senior night. The Trojans had to say goodbye to its five seniors. Naturally, the moment was bound to be an emotional rundown. Furthermore, the names on the list of seniors are charismatic. 

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In just one night, the Trojans had to lose names like Ally Batenhorst, Mia Tuaniga, Lindsey Miller, Grae Gosnell, and Tyrah Ariail. Therefore, the camp needed to set the tone suitably. The actual picture shows the pre-match ceremonies hosted to celebrate the mood. In the evening, the five seniors appeared in the Galen Center, highlighting their own culture. Among them, Mia Tuaniga followed her cultural customs, wearing the Hawaiian crown made of flowers. On the other hand, the authorities garlanded them, following the rituals. Yet a surprise had still been waiting for the players and fans. 

In the middle of the game, the cameras suddenly spotted Mark William Prior sitting in the audience box. The Bullpen coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers stepped into the Galen Center to motivate the homebodies against the Iowa Hawkeyes’ challenge. Sitting in the front row, the 44-year-old even threw his fist in the air, watching the Trojans score at ease. Surely, Prior’s appearance seemed to be a helpful factor for the home team. 

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Otherwise, just six days ago, USC volleyball had to digest a clean sweep from Purdue. The Boilermakers eventually put the death knell on the Trojans’ dream to make a comeback, handing the 3-0 defeat. In the game, Ally Batenhorst, Mia Tuaniga, and Adonia Faumuina put their last ounce of effort into turning the tide. But in front of Eva Hudson, Raven Colvin, and Taylor Anderson’s concerted effort, nothing settled. However, four days later, USC volleyball made a comeback against Washington, claiming the victory by the setpoint of 3-1. 

In that game as well, seniors like Ally Batenhorst and Mia Tuaniga played prominent roles. With their efforts, the squad pulled off the 3-1 victory. Now, on Friday, the same seniors are on the list again but for one very last time. Surprisingly, both names have earned their entries in the same league. Soon, they will face each other as opponents. 

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The USC volleyball seniors will soon turn into opponents 

Have Ally Batenhorst and Mia Tuaniga heard Brittany Abercrombie’s name? Surely they have done. After all, the former USC volleyball senior made an entry in the AU Pro Volleyball Championships and earned the title this year. Her transformation as the player has attracted a lot of eyes. Rather, her performances for the Trojans in 2016-17 have entered the lore. Now, Battenhorst and Tuaniga are on the same route. How?

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On November 25, the Pro Volleyball Federation drafted two Trojans seniors. Battenhorst was roped in by the Omaha Supernovas, whereas Tuaniga hopped in Atlanta Vibe’s camp. Both of them will show up next season in the opposite arenas. However, apart from them, there have been a few more Trojans playing for the different folds in PVC. Among them, Kalyah Williams played for Orlando Valkyries. Now on the same team, Brittany Abercrombie and Shannon Scully are carrying the baton. Folks, what do you think about this changeover? Let us know. 

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Prasun Chakrabarty

2,302 Articles

Prasun Chakrabarty is a Senior Writer in the Olympic Sports division at EssentiallySports, where he covers track and field, gymnastics, swimming, and other Olympic disciplines. A seasoned journalist with three years at the company, Prasun's extensive knowledge and passion for track and field were evident from day one. With years of connections and research already established, he brought a unique edge to the ES Insights and Trends Desk. He has since become a key voice in the company's Olympic sports coverage. His star coverage includes World Athletics Indoor Championships, USATF Outdoor Championships, and reporting live from the U.S. Marathon Trials. His expertise earned him a special invitation from the Paris City Council to cover lead-up events ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Over time, his stories have sparked real-world impact. His piece on athlete mental toughness drew praise from Texas Volleyball head coach Jerritt Elliott, while a feature on winter sports caught the attention of Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn, who engaged with it publicly. His reporting has made its way into Wikipedia, where editors have cited his work as a trusted source on Olympic sports. Being an alum of the Journalistic Excellence Program (JEP) and an active member of the ES Think Tank, he’s part of the team driving the site’s long-term coverage strategy.

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Jagriti Choudhry