Kerri Walsh Jennings sets beach volleyball record with 113th win

Kerri Walsh Jennings has set a record for beach volleyball tournament victories by a woman Monday.

Walsh Jennings and teammate April Ross beat Taiana Lima and Talita Da Rocha Antunes of Brazil, 21-14, 17-21 and 15-12, in the women’s final of the Federation International de Volleyball Xiamen Grand Slam on Sunday for their third tournament title in five events since forming their partnership.

The win was Walsh Jennings’ 113th tournament championship as she passed longtime partner Misty May-Treanor, who has 112 wins and is retired. Walsh Jennings and May-Treanor won three Olympic gold medals together.

“This is a banner day not only for Kerri, but for the sport of beach volleyball,” AVP managing partner Donald Sun said. “All of us at the AVP send our most sincere congratulations to Kerri from halfway across the world, and we couldn’t be happier that a woman who has meant so much to the sport has reached such an incredible milestone.”

Walsh Jennings and Ross had been upset during the AVP event in Huntington Beach a week ago. Walsh Jennings has put together a remarkable run since her very first victory, which came in May 2001 in Oceanside playing with May-Treanor on the defunct Beach Volleyball America tour. She has won 66 times on the AVP tour, 46 times on the FIVB Tour and once on the BVA tour.

Her victories have come on five continents, 18 countries and in 15 U.S. states, with the most (29) coming in California. Walsh Jennings has won 60% of the tournaments she has entered (113 of 189), and when she has reached a tournament final, she has won 79% of the time (113 of
143).

“Holding the all-time wins record in the women’s game is a very special record to hold for many reasons,” Walsh Jennings said. “Primarily, it holds special significance to me because it honors my cherished partnership with Misty. A vast majority of the wins came by her side, and I will forever be grateful for the love, friendship and success we have shared together both on and off the court.”

Walsh Jennings and Ross recently formed a partnership and will work toward competing in the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

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