One-on-One with Misty May - Treanor

Misty May-Treanor turns 30 next month and already has established herself as one of the most successful beach volleyball players in history. An All-American indoor player at Cal State-Long Beach, she teams with partner Kerri Walsh to dominate on the AVP Tour, which comes to Daniel Island this week for the AVP Charleston Open at the Family Circle Tennis Center. She went One-on-One with The Post and Courier's Jeff Hartsell:

Misty, you grew up in Santa Monica and are the daughter of an Olympic volleyball player (father Butch). Were you destined to be a volleyball player?

"No. My mother was a tennis player at UCLA, then made the transition to volleyball.

I loved soccer and participated in track. My parents let me try everything. Volleyball just happened to be the sport of choice. Up until my junior year in high school, I juggled with soccer and volleyball."

How does your husband, Florida Marlins catcher Matt Treanor, react when his teammates call him "Matt May?"

"He will laugh just to humor them, but really he gets tired of it. The only time he hears it any more is when he is playing in other stadiums."

Seriously, it must be difficult for you guys to spend time together when you are on tour and he's playing baseball. How do you manage, and how often do you see each other?

"Communication, trust and knowing that we'll be together soon. It definitely isn't easy and I wouldn't recommend it for most people. We talk all the time and realize that with our career paths that we have chosen, this is how it has to be right now. From Feb. 15 to May 27, we saw each other for only 2½ days.

So as you can see, we don't see much of each other during the summer, but it is great that we share the same off-season."

The 2004 Olympics in Atlanta were a special moment for you and Kerri.

You sprinkled your mom's ashes on the court before one match, and went on to win the gold medal. What do you remember the most about that time?

" The last point, and listening to the National Anthem being played. I still get goose bumps seeing our flag being raised as we stood on top of the podium. It felt as if everything was going in slow motion. I looked up at my dad, and he was wiping his eyes."

Talk about the chemistry you and Kerri have on- court.

Is that tough to find, and are you guys close off the court, as well?

"We are close. I believe that our experience on the court together definitely helps our chemistry. We have been through a lot and had our ups and downs. It's a matter of how you work through those times. Communication is also a key factor on and off the court."

Why do they call you " The Turtle?"

"Kerri's husband Casey gave me that nickname, and it has stuck. I really don't have an answer to this question. Only he knows."

Lindsay Davenport says you should have been a tennis player. Were you good?

"I enjoyed tennis and always wonder if I would have stuck with it, where would I be? My cousin is Taylor Dent, who is a pro tennis player. We used to hit together and play at his court. I stopped playing when I was about 14."

Do you plan to compete in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing? What are the chances of a repeat?

"Kerri and I are going to start the process of qualifying for the 2008 Games. We have our goals set on getting another gold medal. It is going to be tough, because there are so many countries that have gotten better but we are working hard and are ready for the challenge."

At the Family Circle Cup stadium, there is a huge picture of you playing in a bikini. Do you ever get used to that kind of thing?

"No. I get embarrassed."

You turn 30 in July. Have you started thinking about

life after volleyball?

"Yes, Matt and I would like to have a family. I would still like to play, though. There are many moms on our tour, so I think it can be done. Matt and I also have a large support system around us, so it would be possible. It would nice to spend time with my husband and travel with him for a while. When I am done, I'd like to teach and coach. As for now, though, the furthest I am lookÂ-ing ahead is the journey we are taking towards another gold medal."