From LBPOSTSports.com 

It was an historic match, one that brought a number of mindblowing accomplishments: 108th straight match victory; the first time ever that a beach volleyball tandem won back-to-back golds; the second straight Olympics that May/Walsh won the gold without losing a set in tournament play; and, perhaps most importantly, the most coveted title in sports.  The Greatest of All Time.  They were crowned by Karch Kiraly moments after they won, as he told his broadcasting partner that there could be “no question” that May/Walsh stood above all others in the history of their sport. 

Taking place in the rain, halfway around the world, in front of a rabid crowd who thundered support for their opponents, Long Beach State alum Misty May-Treanor and her partner put their Chinese opponents down in two sets, fighting opposition from the weather, the crowd, and history.  In the end, they made it look as easy as they always have—it’s now been more than a year since they lost a match, after all.  The Americans seemed to get better when it mattered most, the way all the Great Ones go—tied 17-17 in the first set, May/Walsh ripped off three straight, sealing the set victory and taking a good deal of wind out of the other side’s sails.  They went on to win 21-18, 21-18.

The celebration afterwards was pure May/Walsh, exuberant and energetic and genuine—and impossible not to smile through.  It was a moment to treasure—and there may not be many more coming up around the corner.  May has always scoffed at the idea that she and Walsh’s motivation would falter even as winning became routine, but surely the grind of maintaining that focus must have taken a lot out of them.  There is also the desire to have a family, which Walsh brought up perfectly by telling NBC on the sand after the victory, “I need a baby!” 

Best of luck in all their endeavors to both fiery competitors, and a hearty congrats from LBPostSports.com—we, and the city of Long Beach, couldn’t be prouder!  The victory also brings Long Beach its first–but not necessarily its last–gold medal of the 2008 games.  Check out our other updates and TV Schedule posts to track everyone else!

–Written by Mike Guardabascio