May and Walsh named USOC Team of the Month

by Paul Soriano USA Volleyball Manager, Public Relations & Publications

The United States Olympic Committee named beach volleyball stars Misty May and Kerri Walsh as its October "USOC Team of the Month."

May (Costa Mesa, Calif.) and Walsh (Saratoga, Calif.) became the first team from the United States to claim a title at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships by defeating two-time world champions Adriana Behar and Shelda Bede (21-19, 21-19) in the finals at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Oct. 12.

The terrific tandem, which finished on top of the FIVB world rankings in 2002 and ranked No. 2 at the conclusion of the 2003 season, raced through the tournament with a perfect 8-0 record and lost just two sets along the way.

Overall, May and Walsh won five international gold medals this season, including three of the four FIVB Grand Slam events and the World Championship.

Combined with their domestic play on the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) tour -- where they became the first team to go through a season undefeated (39-0) -- May and Walsh won 13 titles at 16 events with a 90-4 match mark. The pair won their last 52 matches this season, including 28-straight internationally.

The USOC also honored women's wrestler Patricia Miranda and speed skating star Apolo Anton Ohno as the October Athletes of the Month.

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