No Kidding Around in Final

Kids these days. Can’t even let their mom enjoy a few moments of quiet solitude.

Annett Davis and Jenny Johnson Jordan had just halted one of the most impressive streaks in recent beach volleyball history, but 13-month-old Mya Davis, craving a little attention, started to cry as his mother was whisked past him into the media tent Saturday at the Michelob Light Manhattan Beach Open.

Annett Davis stopped. She took her son in her arms. Then she proceeded to answer reporters’ questions.

It was an apropos moment and a day to remember for Davis and Jordan, who sat out last season in order to start families, and had struggled to regain the form that took them to the Sydney Olympics two years ago.

They were able to put it all together against Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs, and won the women’s title at Manhattan Beach, 13-21, 23-21, 15-9.

Davis and Jordan, who will split $20,000 for the victory, had not won a tournament since the San Diego Open on Aug. 27, 2000, on the now-defunct Beach Volleyball America tour.

Saturday’s victory came in front of an estimated 5,500 and ended a torrid streak by McPeak and Youngs, who had won four consecutive Assn. Volleyball Professionals tournaments and were 25-0 in AVP matches this season.

Including international play, where they had won three tournaments, McPeak and Youngs were 62-3 until the loss.

“We weren’t thinking about their streak,” Davis said as she bounced her son on her knee. “We just wanted to win.”

Davis and Jordan were listless in the first game, but they rallied from a 12-8 deficit to win the second game.

In the third game, Davis had two important blocks as Davis and Jordan broke a 7-7 tie with four consecutive points.

“It’s very emotional,” said Jordan, whose daughter, Jaylen, was born in October.

“We’re both fighting back tears.”

It was the end of an impressive run for McPeak and Youngs.

“We let up and took the pressure off the other team,” McPeak said. “We let that match get away from us.”

*

Karch Kiraly will be 42 in November, but he keeps playing like he’s 22.

Kiraly, beach volleyball’s career leader with 143 championships, advanced with Brent Doble to the men’s semifinals by defeating Alika Williams and Paul Baxter, 21-13, 21-16.

Kiraly, who has won eight Manhattan Beach Open titles, looked spry on defense while Doble looked strong at the net.

Kiraly has earned $2,991,943 in his career and would be the first beach player to hit the $3-million mark if he wins the title today.

Kiraly said Saturday was unique.

“The crowd was the best I have ever seen on a Saturday at Manhattan Beach,” he said. “They built bigger bleachers than last year and it still wasn’t enough. I’ve never seen such a thing.”

Eric Fonoimoana and Dax Holdren also advanced to the semifinals with a 21-17, 19-21, 18-16 victory over Canyon Ceman and Mike Whitmarsh in the double-elimination tournament.

The news wasn’t as good for Kevin Wong and Stein Metzger: Seeded No. 3, they were eliminated early by No. 20 Jake Elliott and Brian Soldano, a little-known team from Isle of Palms, S.C.

Metzger strained his back on the second play of the match and continued to play, but couldn’t stop his team from finishing tied for 17th.

Metzger and Wong have fared well on the international tour, with a first and two thirds in six tournaments, but have faltered on the AVP, with no titles in five events.

“It’s just a matter of time before we start to dominate here on the AVP,” Metzger said. “Hopefully that time is Chicago [Aug. 23-25].”