The USC women’s beach volleyball team was one of the 90 NCAA National Championship teams celebrated Monday at NCAA Sports Day in the White House, where Vice President Kamala Harris made her first public remarks since President Joe Biden ended his presidential campaign.
The team’s visit to the White House has become an annual tradition, capturing their fourth consecutive National Collegiate beach volley championship this past season. Finishing with an overall record of 37-5, the Trojans defeated crosstown rival the UCLA Bruins in a three-set sweep, winning their record sixth title in eight years.
However, this year’s celebration at the White House had its improvements. In previous years, members of the college teams were honored on the front lawn, yet this year’s champions had an opportunity to tour the inside of the White House.
Monday’s celebration welcomed collegiate teams spanning every level from Division I to III.
“It’s cool that we all get celebrated equally as we’re all achieving something really special,” recent graduate and All-American team leader Delaynie Maple said.
As part of the celebration, one to two players from each team are selected to represent their university on stage with Harris. Harris expressed her condolences that Biden couldn’t attend this event due to his COVID diagnosis while welcoming the athletes to the White House.
“On behalf of our president and Dr. Biden, I am honored to welcome all of you to the White House to celebrate the achievements of these great athletes,” Harris said. “Every one of them is a national champion.”
“I say to our athletes: Congratulations, again, on all you have accomplished, and good luck on all that is to come,” she continued. “Wherever you all go from here, you will always—and know this—you always be champions and we will always be so proud of you.”
This year’s Trojan representatives were twins Audrey and Nicole Nourse. The sisters, both graduate students, have been instrumental in the Women of Troy’s dominant four-year stretch.
“It was cool to see them walk down with all the other athletes and get to be so close to Kamala Harris and represent our team,” Maple said.
Maple had her onstage spotlight last year but still embraced the moment of being back at the White House surrounded by teammates and friends.
“It’s really cool to see a lot of other friends on other sports … I knew a couple of people from high school that were there, and we got to see the men’s and women’s indoor volleyball team, who I know a lot of us know,” Maple said. “It was definitely a lot of positivity and I think a lot of excitement.”
The moment was a reunion — and a real celebration — between the team’s recent graduates, current roster and recurring staff.
“It’s tough — our sport ends right when all school ends,” Maple said. “Not that you don’t get celebrated, but … you win, school finishes and then everybody’s gone.”
Among the championship crowd were soon-to-be 2024 Olympians on their way to compete in Paris this summer.
“It’s cool with it being an Olympic year, too, that [the White House was] able to find a way to still to congratulate and represent a lot of NCAA sports. And I know a lot of the athletes that were actually there were going to Paris,” Maple said.
While Maple and other recent graduates are moving on to new paths, the memories forged from the White House experiences live forever.
“It’s just something that nobody can kind of take away from you, and you’ll be able to keep the rest of your life knowing that you were able to go there for such a special thing and get recognized by somebody of such higher superiority,” Maple said.
Updated with additional quotes and context.