Kiraly Chases Milestone at Hermosa Beach

Karch Kiraly has done it all in volleyball. Almost.

He has won an Olympic beach volleyball gold medal, two indoor Olympic gold medals and three NCAA titles at UCLA.

But Kiraly still has some work to do.

Kiraly, 38, can become the all-time leader in pro beach volleyball championship victories if he wins the AVP Hermosa Beach Open, which starts today.

He and Adam Johnson will be the top-seeded team in the three-day, 32-team tournament and can win his 140th championship, breaking the record set by former partner Sinjin Smith in 1993.

Kiraly said he would like to set the record before a Southern California crowd, but is also thinking long-term. Winning the Hermosa championship would be another step toward a possible appearance in the 2000 Olympics.

“There are a number of American teams who would like to qualify for the Olympics, but it’s a long and arduous process,” said Kiraly, well aware that only two U.S. teams qualify. “We’ll see what happens.”

Jose Loiola and Emanuel Rego are the second-seeded men’s team at Hermosa.

Lisa Arce and Barbra Fontana are the top-seeded women’s team. Liz Masakayan and Elaine Youngs are seeded No. 2.