The story started with Ally Batenhorst’s jubilant comment. In November, she was drafted by the Omaha Supernovas, the squad with a Pro Volleyball Championships background. The call-up just opened the gate for her to return to her favorite place, Nebraska. Following a year in California, she welcomed a chance to go back to Nebraska. The mere thought of it made her claim, “I’m beyond excited to be drafted and sign with the Supernovas. It’s such a blessing to be able to play professionally in the state near my family, and I can’t wait to play in front of the amazing Nebraska fans again.” But nothing ends up as sad as one’s college days, and Batenhorst has been feeling this line lately. 

And folks, the 6’5” outside hitter is finding it hard to reconcile with the situation. Now, her legs feel heavy when she has to shift from California. Her mind would make her worry about the difference between the weather found in Nebraska and California. She would end up rating the Californian climate better in the comparison. And what about her heart? It is facing a severe storm. Recently, her emotions made it into the public while bidding goodbye to her best mate in the Trojans’ camp. But what happened in the scene? 

A ‘dramatic exit’ from the Trojans’ camp 

On December 6, the USC Trojans’ dream in the NCAA Volleyball contest this year hit rock bottom. Their wish to make it into the Sweet 16 round crumbled, facing a thrashing from the Texas Longhorns. Now, as the NCAA test is over, it is all about returning to the next endeavor. The Trojans are on that only. Just like Ally Batenhorst, her best mate Mia Tuaniga has also landed an offer from the Pro Volleyball Championships squad. But she will have to head to the other side of the country to join her team, Atlanta Vibes. The senior setter, however, has already left the Trojans’ camp. But while bidding her adieu to her mates, including Batenhorst, she made it dramatic. How? 

On December 11, Ally Batenhorst shared a TikTok snippet captioned, “Replying to @mia this girl spammed all of our phones and said “come to the window.” And what does the snippet feature? It shows Tuaniga leaving the apartment with her scooter, taking her rucksack on her back. On the screen, she even says, “I wanted to be extra dramatic,” looking at Batenhorst, who is recording everything from the window.

Meanwhile, Batenhorst’s voice can be heard in the background, saying her ‘goodbye.’ Tuaniga’s scooter doesn’t take long to take her out of the screen. That’s how, ultimately, Batenhorst bid her goodbye to her pal in USC Trojans. Nonetheless, that wasn’t the end of the gloomy tone. She had something more to express about the separation. 

Ally Batenhorst feels the cloud of parting ways 

It could have been a different story, having different emotions. Ally Batenhorst could have felt overjoyed thinking about her return to Nebraska. But now, she is watering all the emotions, picturing out of sorts. The separation from the camp and Mia Tuaniga hit her hard, surely. The duo entered the drafting of the Pro Volleyball Federation together. Moreover, they had the chance to take their accomplishments together. Here’s how. 

In her four-year career with the USC Trojans, Mia Tuaniga has 1,220 assists in the Big Ten. This season, she set her squad 10 times, with more than 0.300 hitting. Owing to her outstanding performance in the arena, she received the honor of the Big Ten Setter of the Week on September 23 and November 4, and she was selected to the all-tournament team at every non-conference tournament the Trojans participated in. Batenhorst showcased almost a similar bravado for the Trojans. 

In her graduation year at USC, the Texas-born established a phenomenal record of 10.64 per set as the attacks per frame. She also had the distinction, of winning the Big Ten Player of the Week on November 4. She also made her place in the AVCA National Player of the Year Watch List this season. Both Women of Troy had something bigger in the end. Both of them were selected for AVCA’s All-Pacific Region Team. Now, they will have their chances to make it into the AVCA All-America teams. For one last time in their career! Things like these are bound to bring tears. Aren’t they?