Oregonsportshall.com – Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings are two of the most iconic names in beach volleyball history. Their incredible careers have inspired countless athletes and fans around the world. From their early days as college teammates to their dominance on the Olympic stage, these two women have left an indelible mark on the sport of beach volleyball.
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings: The Golden Girls of Beach Volleyball
The Early Years of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings
Misty May-Treanor was born on July 30, 1977, in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in a family of athletes, with both of her parents playing sports in college. May-Treanor started playing volleyball at the age of eight and went on to play indoor volleyball at Newport Harbor High School in Newport Beach. She then attended Long Beach State University and became a two-time National Player of the Year.
Kerri Walsh Jennings was born on August 15, 1978, in Santa Clara, California. She also came from an athletic family, with her father being a baseball player and her mother a volleyball player. Walsh Jennings started playing volleyball in elementary school and went on to play indoor volleyball at Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose. She then attended Stanford University and became a four-time All-American.
Their Partnership on the Beach
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings first played together on the beach in 2001. They won their first tournament together in Hermosa Beach, California, and went on to win several more that year. In 2002, they won their first AVP tournament in San Diego and went on to win the AVP championship that year. They also won their first FIVB tournament in 2002 and became the first American team to win a World Championship in beach volleyball.
Their partnership continued to flourish in the years that followed. They won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics, the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the 2012 London Olympics. They also won three more FIVB World Championships in 2003, 2005, and 2007. May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings were known for their strong teamwork and communication on the court, as well as their aggressive and athletic playing style.
Life After Beach Volleyball
After the 2012 London Olympics, Misty May-Treanor retired from beach volleyball. She went on to become a coach and motivational speaker, as well as a contestant on the dance competition show “Dancing with the Stars.” She also started a family with her husband, professional baseball player Matt Treanor.
Kerri Walsh Jennings continued to play beach volleyball after the 2012 Olympics. She won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics with new partner April Ross. She also started her own beach volleyball tour, the p1440 tour, in 2018. Walsh Jennings has also been an advocate for health and wellness, as well as a motivational speaker.
The Legacy of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings
Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings will go down in history as one of the greatest beach volleyball teams of all time. They won three Olympic gold medals and dominated the sport for over a decade. They also inspired a new generation of female beach volleyball players and paved the way for the sport’s continued growth and popularity.
