USC's beach volleyball team is no stranger to winning. The program is accustomed to success, capping off last season with a record of 23-3 and a national championship title. Naturally, there were high expectations for the Women of Troy coming into this 2016 spring season.
On an individual level, freshman standout Abril Bustamante, has met and even exceeded this high bar.
Bustamante hails from Redondo Beach, California, where she competed for Elite Beach Volleyball Club in addition to playing indoor volleyball at Redondo Union high school. The 6-1 hitter was named the AAU Player of the Year and was rated a Top 10 Teen by South Bay Magazine.
Bustamante has earned her fair share of accolades over the years, but most importantly, she knows how to win. Bustamante has placed first in numerous CBVA tournaments, USA U17 Junior National Team Championships as well as the AAU High School Sand Volleyball Pairs Championship in 2012.
Evidently, it's no surprise that the Trojans made her a high priority recruit.
Bustamante says she chose USC because the school offers, "the best combination of athletics and academics that would help me succeed … I also knew the program was going to be successful and it has been."
The freshman standout has accumulated an impressive 98 kills, 20 service aces, and 50 digs this season so far. Bustamante and her partner Jenna Belton have an overall record of 12-3, the second best record on the team. The duo has been an integral asset in propelling the team to a record of 11-2, just recently pulling off two big wins at home against Long Beach State and California.
When describing the dynamic between her and her partner Belton, Bustamante embraces their differences.
"We are very opposite. At the beginning of the season, we had to learn how to deal, and work with each other's personalities. But we definitely get along really really well on and off the court."
While each brings something unique to the table, the pair's close relationship is what sets them apart from their competition.
"We both established from day one that it is important to establish a strong level of communication. If I ever have a problem or if she has a problem, we are very open and honest and I think that has definitely propelled us to where we are now."
As if having a stellar freshman season wasn't impressive enough, Bustamante will be representing USA in the U21 World Championships in Switzerland in May. Bustamante has been involved with the USA Women's Beach Volleyball team for a couple of years through the summer training program, but says she is most looking forward to the international competition she'll face in Switzerland.
There is no doubt Bustamante has made a considerable impact to the beach volleyball program during her short time at USC, and she shows a high level of promise for the team ahead.
Annenberg Media