Misty May-Treanor

Misty May-Treanor Portrait (www.mikasasports.com)

When I started playing volleyball about a year ago, I became interested in watching it. Whether I was sitting on my couch in front of the TV, in the bleachers in a high school gym, or even in the annual volleyball festivals, you will most likely find me watching some kind of volleyball. The 2008 Beijing Olympics was really what made me aware of Misty May, and her amazing partner Keri Walsh. During the Olympics, I was always making sure that I wasn’t missing a match. I look up to Misty May not only because she is a great volleyball player, but because she isn’t the tallest player ever, and she has had such great success despite her heigth. I think it is great that Misty May was able to do a career that she has such great passion for and still be very successful.

Misty May-Treanor digging a ball. (www.latoday.com)

Misty May is a professional volleyball player and Olympian. She travels around the world with her partner Keri Walsh to play tournaments together. To play beach volleyball, there are no educational requirements, unless you play at college which means a high school degree, however, there is training that will be necessary for you to pick up the challenging skills. Practice definitely makes perfect, so training to pick up the general skills will be needed in order to play a match, whether it’s with your friends or with pros. To play, you need a beach volleyball and a sand court. It is highly recommended to wear a hat and sunglasses so you aren’t blinded by the sun. Although it differs from athlete to athlete, Misty May made about $1,824,158 last year which includes her multiple tournaments and the Olympics.

Misty May-Treanor on Dancing With the Stars (www.msnbc.msn.com)

There are many traits and aptitudes displayed as a young person that would later translate into skills necessary for a career in volleyball. Dedication is a very important trait in volleyball; you need to be up to going to practice very often, and competing at numerous tournaments. Tall height is also a very good trait to have, allowing you to have good blocks, and making your jump higher to hit. Misty May was not just a successful athlete, but also a successful student. She attended Long Beach State, and played volleyball there as well. Misty May fell in love with volleyball, watching it from the Santa Monica Pier all the time. She played all across the country, finally was discovered, and the rest is history!

Misty May-Treanor with a beautiful dive! (www.s.wsj.net)

Misty May offers a lot to society. She is the assistant coach to Irvine Valley Junior College, which she enjoys. She represented the United States in the 2008 Olympics with Keri Walsh, won the gold medal for beach volleyball. She has won many awards, however she inspires people with the awards she has received like 2007 SWATCH-FIVB Most Inspirational player and 2007 SWATCH-FIVB Sportswoman of the Year. She also amazed America with her great performances on the hit TV show Dancing with the Stars, however she hurt her Achilles tendon, and had to get surgery.

Misty May-Treanor and her partner Keri Walsh. (www.usavolleyball.org)

In my life, I hope to have a life as successful and fun as Misty May’s. I will continue to play volleyball and grow as a player, and be dedicated to my club team. I will strive to play volleyball in college, and even get a scholarship. However, in the future, I hope to be as successful and Misty May, doing something I love as much as she does, whether or not it means playing volleyball. Misty May is a true athlete and inspiration to me, and many other people across the globe!