Misty May-Treanor

Misty May-Treanor – Life, Career, and Legacy

Misty May-Treanor (born July 30, 1977) is an American beach volleyball legend and three-time Olympic gold medalist. Explore her journey from childhood on the sand, dominant partnership with Kerri Walsh Jennings, and post-retirement impact.

Introduction

Misty May-Treanor is widely regarded as one of the greatest beach volleyball players in history. Her combination of athleticism, discipline, and mental toughness allowed her to dominate international competition. She’s a three-time Olympic gold medalist (2004, 2008, 2012) and, by the time she retired in 2012, held the record for most tournament wins by a female player.

Beyond her medals, her influence extends into coaching, mentoring, and media presence, shaping future generations in the sport.

Early Life and Family

• Birth & family background
  Misty Elizabeth May was born on July 30, 1977, in Los Angeles, California.

• Childhood & introduction to sport
  Misty grew up around beach volleyball, often playing with her parents at the Santa Monica Pier.

  As a child, she also played soccer, tennis, and involved in dance and track & field.

• Personal challenges
  In her 2010 autobiography, Misty disclosed that both her parents struggled with alcoholism, and her mother at times was violent under the influence.

Education & Collegiate Career

• High school
  Misty attended Newport Harbor High School (graduated 1995). USA Today as the best high school girls’ volleyball player.

• College & indoor volleyball achievements
  She enrolled at Long Beach State University (the 49ers), playing indoor volleyball from 1995 to 1999.

  Her indoor career is illustrious:

  • She led the 1998 team to an undefeated season and an NCAA championship.

  • She was a first-team AVCA All-American multiple times and earned awards such as the Honda Sports Award (1998–99), and the Honda-Broderick Cup, which names the top female collegiate athlete across all sports.

  • She was named National Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998.

  • In 2013, she earned a Master’s degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University, Irvine.

  Long Beach State later inducted her into their Athletics Hall of Fame (2004).

Professional & Olympic Career

Early professional years

• Misty began her professional beach volleyball career while still a senior in college. Her first AVP match was in May 1999.

• Her early professional partnering was with Holly McPeak (1999–2000).

Partnership with Kerri Walsh Jennings & dominance

• In 2001, Misty teamed up with Kerri Walsh Jennings.

• Their achievements include:

  • Winning Olympic gold medals together in 2004 (Athens), 2008 (Beijing), 2012 (London).

  • Claiming FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships in 2003, 2005, and 2007.

  • Setting an unbroken streak of 112 consecutive match wins, spanning 19 tournament titles between August 2007 and August 2008 — breaking their own prior record.

  • Undefeated Olympic play: in 2004 and 2008, they did not drop a set in any match.

• Their dominance was so pronounced that many consider them the greatest women’s beach volleyball team of all time.

2012 Olympics & retirement

• In London 2012, May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings won gold again, defeating April Ross and Jennifer Kessy in the final.

• Misty officially retired on August 8, 2012, soon after that Olympic victory.

Coaching, Post-Career Work & Ongoing Influence

• After retiring, Misty transitioned into coaching and development roles.

• She served on the women’s volleyball coaching staff at Irvine Valley College starting 2001 (during her peak playing years).

• In 2016, she became Director of Volleyball at Long Beach City College, coaching both indoor and beach teams.

• She founded a beach volleyball club called Dream in Gold (DIG) to develop the next generation of athletes.

• In 2024, she joined NBCUniversal as a beach volleyball analyst for the Paris Olympics, bringing her firsthand experience into broadcasting and commentary.

Awards, Honors & Records

• Tournament wins & dominance
  At her retirement, Misty had amassed 112 tournament victories (domestic + international), the most ever by any female beach volleyball player.

• Hall of Fame inductions

  • International Volleyball Hall of Fame (2016)

  • Long Beach State Athletics Hall of Fame (2004)

  • Newport Harbor High School Hall of Fame (2014)

  • Southern California Indoor Hall of Fame (2017)

• Collegiate awards

  • Honda Sports Award (1998–99) & Honda-Broderick Cup winner (best female collegiate athlete)

  • Multiple AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) All-America honors, Big West Player of Year, etc.

• Professional awards
  She earned numerous AVP awards: Best Defensive Player, Best Offensive Player, Most Valuable Player, Team of the Year, across years 2003–2008.

Personality & Philosophy

Misty’s success was built not just on talent, but on relentless discipline, mental toughness, and an unwavering competitive mindset. Her defensive instincts, court awareness, and ability to read the game were extraordinary — especially given her height relative to many opponents.

She often credits her upbringing, early exposure to sport, and overcoming personal adversity as foundational to her resilience.

Her partnership with Kerri Walsh Jennings was built on trust, complementary skills (Walsh as blocker, Misty as defender), and shared vision. Their synergy became legendary.

Even in retirement, Misty has emphasized lifting others — coaching, creating training pathways, and staying involved in the sport.

Legacy & Impact

• Misty’s dominance helped elevate the popularity and visibility of women’s beach volleyball globally.

• Her records, particularly the win streak and tournament count, set a benchmark that many consider insurmountable.

• Through her coaching, club, and broadcasting roles, she continues to influence the next generation of players and shape public perception of the sport.

• Her life story — combining early adversity, family legacy, athletic success, and reinvention — remains an inspiration to athletes and fans alike.

Selected Quotes & Reflections

While Misty is better known for her actions than for a catalogue of public quotes, here are a few reflections and thematic ideas often associated with her:

• On resilience and competition: she has spoken of “digging deep” in critical moments, of embracing adversity rather than fearing it.

• On legacy: she often frames her role as a mentor, aiming to pass the torch and elevate the sport beyond personal glory.

• On teamwork: she has highlighted that trust, communication, and respect are foundational.

Lessons from Misty May-Treanor’s Journey

1. Commit to constant improvement — even elite athletes can strive to refine skills daily.

2. Build complementary partnerships — greatness often comes from synergy, not solo talent.

3. Convert adversity into strength — personal struggles can power resilience and empathy.

4. Give back — success is enriched when it is shared through mentorship and leadership.

5. Adapt & evolve — retiring from competition need not mean stepping away from purpose.

Conclusion

Misty May-Treanor’s life is a story of grit, excellence, and legacy. She stood at the summit of beach volleyball, pushed the boundaries of what was believed possible, and has carried forward her mission beyond the sand. Her journey from a child playing volleyball with her parents to becoming a three-time Olympic champion, coach, and broadcasting voice shows that greatness is as much about heart and purpose as it is about medals.