May-Treanor and Walsh cruise to wins at Long Beach

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh have played 11 consecutive weekends in five countries and have crossed the Atlantic Ocean four times during that stretch, so forgive them if they had trouble remembering the day.

“That’s why I wear a watch,” May-Treanor said.

The frequent-flier miles aren’t the only things piling up. So are victories and Olympic qualification points.

But since Olympic points are not available at the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals Long Beach Open, which began Friday at Marina Green Park, a victory will have to suffice.

They are off to a good start, sweeping three matches while giving up 13 or fewer points in their six games as they played on American soil for the first time since June 17 in Charleston, S.C.

Since then, they have been in Paris; Stavanger, Norway; Montreal and Berlin, winning three of four international tournaments and accumulating valuable qualification points.

“It can be a grind, but we’re prepared for it,” Walsh said. “Our goal is to earn enough Olympic qualification points this year so we don’t have to do this next year.

“The only thing we’re not used to is the sun and the heat. Every place we’ve played has been cold and rainy.”

Olympic qualification points are available only on the international tour, which is the reason for the grueling travel schedule. It also means they must miss an AVP tournament here and there. They missed one in New Jersey and will miss another Aug. 2-5 in Chicago, but they’ve won the last nine in which they’ve played.

Today in Long Beach, they will meet Tracy and Katie Lindquist with a spot in the semifinals on the line.

In men’s action, seven of the top eight seeded teams were undefeated through the first day. Only fifth-seeded Matt Fuerbringer and Casey Jennings lost, but they are still alive in the contender’s bracket.

The women’s final is today at 1:30 p.m. Men’s action continues today and the finals are Sunday at 1:30.

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peter.yoon@latimes.com