May/Walsh nominated for WSF Sportswoman of the Year Award

by Paul Soriano USA Volleyball Manager, Public Relations & Publications

The world's top-ranked beach volleyball team, Misty May and Kerri Walsh of the USA, will be in New York City on Monday, Oct. 21, to take part in the Women's Sports Foundation's 23rd annual "Salute to Women in Sports" awards dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

The team of May and Walsh are among the 21 finalists for the Sportswoman of the Year Award, which will be given out in two categories: individual and team. May and Walsh were selected as finalists in the team category from more than 40 nominees for both categories combined.

The Sportswoman of the Year Award recognizes the exceptional athletic performances and achievements of female athletes over a 12-month period (Aug. 1, 2001 - Aug. 4, 2002). Criteria are based on new records and world championships won during the 12 months.

Together May (Costa Mesa, Calif.) and Walsh (Saratoga, Calif.) won four FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour gold medals during the given time period, all in 2002. They took first place at the season-opening Spanish Open in Madrid, Spain on June 9 and also won gold medals at the Swiss Open (June 22), the Canadian Open (July 13) and the Austrian Grand Slam (Aug. 3). They earned a silver medal at the Marseille Grand Slam in France on July 20.

May/Walsh also captured a pair of silver medals together in 2001: Aug. 12 in Osaka, Japan, and Aug. 26 in Hong Kong.

Voting members of the WSF select the Sportswoman of the Year winners. The 21 finalists:

Individual Category (Sport, Country)

* Kelly Clark (Snowboarding, USA) * Karen Corr (Billiards, United Kingdom) * Natalie Coughlin (Swimming, USA) * Sarah Hughes (Figure Skating, USA) * Janica Kostelic (Alpine Skiing, Croatia) * Simone Luder (Orienteering, Switzerland) * Toccara Montgomery (Wrestling, USA) * Annika Sorenstam (Golf, Sweden) * Sarah Will (Disabled Skiing, USA) * Serena Williams (Tennis, USA).

Team Category (Sport, Country)

* Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers (Bobsled, USA) * Sue Bird (Basketball, USA) * Valerie Halesworth (Football, USA) * Misty May and Kerri Walsh (Beach Volleyball, USA) * Anna Mickelson (Rowing, USA) * Tiffany Milbrett (Soccer, USA) * Stacey Nuveman (Softball, USA) * Brenda Villa (Water Polo, USA) * Hayley Wickenheiser (Hockey, Canada).

For more information, go to the USA Volleyball web site.