Another Day, Another Win for May and Walsh

Despite their record win streak and domination of the women’s pro beach volleyball tour, Misty May and Kerri Walsh were nervous before Sunday’s final of the AVP Nissan Series $125,000 Fort Lauderdale Open.

“The first AVP match of the year there’s always a lot of nerves and a lot of jitters,” Walsh said.

“Throughout all of that we stayed pretty steady and that’s the sign of a really good team.”

The U.S. Olympic gold medal hopefuls extended their win streak to 64 worldwide, including 44 straight on the AVP tour, with an impressive 21-11, 21-11 victory over Holly McPeak and Elaine Youngs. The pair split $14,500 in prize money.

The last time the duo lost was July 5, 2002.

“They are not only beating up on us, they are beating up on the rest of the world,” said McPeak, who combined with Youngs for 25 unforced errors.

In the men’s final, Sean Rosenthal and Larry Witt defeated Casey Jennings and Matt Fuerbringer, 21-17, 21-14, for their second AVP title. It was the fifth runner-up finish for Jennings and Fuerbringer on the tour. Playing in only their 12th beach tournament, the winners split $14,500.

With May and Walsh a “lock” for a spot on the Olympic team, McPeak and Youngs are battling Annett Davis and Jenny Johnson Jordan for the second and final spot for the U.S.

Playing in their first AVP tournament together, George Roumain and Jason Ring, after defeating Olympic gold medalist Eric Fonoimoana and Olympian Kevin Wong and Olympic gold medalist Dain Blanton and Olympian Jeff Nygaard, placed third after losing to Fuerbringer and Jennings, 23-21 and 21-19.

Roumain had added motivation. His pregnant sister, Gina, who was too nervous to stay home in bed for the second straight day, was given permission by her doctor to go to the tournament. She started having several contractions on Saturday when she heard the news of her brother’s wins. Under the watchful eye of firefighters John McLoughlin and Serge DeWinter of the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department, Gina watched from a nearby tent.

“I saw her and didn’t want to disappoint her, I know what an effort it was for her to be here, she’s been on bed rest for a while,” Roumain said.

“We wanted to win the tournament.”