It was only yesterday that Ally Batenhorst and Co. celebrated their NCAA Championship round-one win against UT Arlington. “Moving on,” posted the official USC Women’s Volleyball handle on Instagram. However, defending champions Texas Longhorns proved to be too much of a challenge for the Trojans. While the loss triggered a rollercoaster of emotion for the team, it was especially emotional for Batenhorst and Mai Tuaniga.

Batenhorst took to social media to share their feelings in the immediate aftermath of the loss. With 2024 being their final year of eligibility, this was the final match of the senior duo’s college volleyball career. “Being a senior and playing your last college game is a different kind of sad,” Batenhorst captioned a short clip where she cried her eyes out. However, this wasn’t the only clip she shared.

The USC legends bid the final goodbye to their illustrious NCAA volleyball career

“4 years went TOO fast,” Ally Batenhorst wrote in the short clip as she tried to come to terms with the loss. That’s because Batenhosrt and the Trojans put a stiff challenge for Texas. Despite the Texas Longhorns sweeping USC 3-0 in the round-two matchup, the score line didn’t reflect USC’s competitive spirit. The Longhorns barely edged out USC to take the first st (26-24), with USC losing the following two by close margins (25-20 and 25-22).

So when the time came to take off their USC jerseys for the final time the two seniors struggled with their emotions. “Us avoiding taking off our jerseys for the last time ever,” Batenhorst captioned another clip where she and Tuaniga attempted to dance to Tupac’s ‘How Do U Want It’ in their USC uniforms. “College career over. Don’t be fooled, we were sobbing,” wrote the outside hitter.

However, Ally Batenhorst and Tuaniga gave it their all in their final college volleyball game. The two Trojans embodied the team’s ‘Fight On!’ slogan on the court. The Nebraska native topped the team starts with 17 kills to her name, while Tuaniga contributed 25 assists, with four kills of her own. All Batenhosrt and Mia Tuaniga also created history for USC.

The first USC player to win the BIG10 Player of the Week honors capped her college career as she reached the 1,000-kill milestone against the defending champion. Meanwhile, Tuaniga etched her name atop the Trojans’ history books. The 22-year-old setter crossed the 4,511+ assists milestone, becoming the USC player with the most assists in the program’s history. However, despite the bittersweet end, neither Batenhorst nor Tuaniga are retiring from volleyball outright. In fact, it’s quite the opposite.

A new journey lies ahead of Ally Batenhorst and Mia Tuaniga

Although donning the USC jersey for one final wouldn’t have been any earlier, even if they won the NCAA title, both the seniors will continue to play volleyball. That was because the USC icons became the only two players from the University of South Carolina to make it to the pro league. On November 25, two pro teams drafted Batenhosrt and Tuaniga to their rosters at the 2024 Pro Volleyball Federation Draft.

Ally Batenhorst was the first to be drafted and even cracked the top 15 picks of the draft, becoming the #15 overall pick who got drafted by the Omaha Supernova. The 22-year-old, who hails from Omaha, Nebraska, will now represent her hometown in pro volleyball starting in 2025. “I’m so excited and just ready to get back to Omaha, back to Nebraska.” Batenhorst said after getting drafted.

Interestingly, the outside hitter had also started her college volleyball career in her home state. Batenhorst played for the four-time NCAA champion, the Nebraska Huskers, for three seasons. Meanwhile, Mia Tuaniga was drafted by the Atlanta Vibe as the third pick of the fourth round, becoming the #27 overall player to make the PVF draft.

So, while Ally Batenhorst and Mia Tuaniga couldn’t earn the NCAA title during their college volleyball career, they etched their names in USC history books. How do you think the two Trojans will fare in pro volleyball? Let us know in the comments.