With Kerri Walsh still in the stands, May-Treanor will try to continue the AVP dominance with new partner Nicole Branagh.

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“I have been training everyday and will soon be headed back out to the beach,” May-Treanor said in the announcement on mistymay.com. “I am very excited about the upcoming year. For those that aren’t aware, Kerri is expecting her second child (congratulations to her and Casey), so I will be teaming up with Nicole Branagh. Nicole is such a dynamic player; it is going to be fun.”

Branagh, last season’s Best Offensive Player and MVP, finished 2009 ranked third on the AVP in aces with 145. Her .477 hitting percentage ranked fourth. She and Elaine Youngs won nine events and advanced to the finals in all 12 of their regular-season tournaments while splitting blocking duties. With May-Treanor behind her the 6’2″ Branagh, who will be 31 when the season begins, is expected to be among the AVP’s 2010 leaders in blocks.