10:10am | If (and hopefully when) the double gold USA Beach volleyball queens May-Treanor and Walsh-Jennings, dance their way onto the center court in London’s Horse Grounds on the River Thames for the 2012 Olympics, the journey likely started back in the stately Hague v-ball venue on the North Sea in late August.
You see to make the assignment of one of the two USA teams in the Beach competition; the dynamic duo would need to be one of the top two American teams when the dealing is done late next spring. The summer of 2011 has been great so far, eleven international tournaments, against the best in the world including travel in and around Brazil, China, Russia, Italy and last week in the Netherlands.
The result to date–three gold medals, four silver medals, with one fourth place finish and three fifth place results. The wins were in Beijing, Moscow and Klagenfurt, the seconds in Brasilia, Rome (World Championships), Finland, and The Hague.
The contest within the game was not only against their international competitors but also their national competitors who Misty and Kerri have to finish ahead of, Jen Kessy and April Ross. Most recently our local heroes lost to the top Chinese team (19-21, 20-22) that beaten the previous week. That meant having to win out in the double elimination loser’s bracket and in a really tough match Kessy and Ross weren’t enough, 29-27, 21-19. The third best US side is former Niner Brittany Hochevar and her partner, TBA.
The only wrinkle left in their bikini is the fact that Misty and Kerri will pass on the final 2011 international event (Thailand) and then await for the release of the 2012 schedule and the date for picking the best 24 teams. (China and Brazil also have a load of folks trying for their two national spots.)
Back inside, the story of our college girls, and their “if and when” question, centers on trying to advance a couple of rounds in December’s NCAA tournament. The key to that is a national seed that allows the Beach avoid the local heavy hitters for a round or two. (Maybe USC, Stanford, UCLA and yes, Washington.)
But opposite the favorable moment in the Netherlands for the pros, dame fortune was off duty for the Niners Saturday night. LB rallied from a 21-18 deficit, won the next three points, and looked poised take the set and lead, 2-1. But next was a big ouch that will be felt for perhaps the rest of the season. Back-to-back errors on serves by freshman setter Erin Juley and senior hitter Caitlin Ledoux at set point gave the game to the Huskies 29-27. “I told them it wasn’t over,” Niner skipper Brian Gimmillaro said of the Huskies’ third set victory. “But with the home town crowd buzzing like they were and with three set points … We had to win that match.” Next up are three very tough games in Hawaii versus the host Bows, Ohio State and UCLA. After that the rest of the season will be chasing a top 16 seed but that now looms as very difficult.
For women’s soccer their weekend was more chaotic than life in the Milwaukee apartment of sit-com stars Lavern and Shirley. Our special correspondent Maureen Pylman has the detail on the 3-2 loss to UW-M (put in link to the special story) so on Sunday the battle was on with #12 Marquette. The Niners game out aggressive and Alex Balcer the enforcer, had two yellow cards turned into a red and off went the LB chances for an upset 2-1. Junior forward Nadia Link got the lone goal for LBSU, her second of the weekend, and with an assist earned her a spot on the Milwaukee Cup All-Tournament Team.
CALENDAR GIRLS & NAPKIN NOTES — The SID folks pick a Player of the Week and this time it is Junior outside hitter Janisa Johnson from Women’s Volleyball. JJ averaged 3.50 kills per set and 3.40 digs per set, including a double-double against No. 7 Washington, earning Mizuno Invitational All-Tournament honors.
The team got wins over Prairie View A&M 3-0, UMBC 3-0 before the UW loss.
Johnson, Caitlin Ledoux, and Haleigh Hampton all earned Mizuno Invitational All-Tournament honors for their efforts in the first week of the season.
The week that will be is full of fancy names and famous places. The Long Beach State soccer season continues with a battle against Ivy Leaguer Princeton, Friday at 5 p.m. on historic George Allen Field. On Sunday the first whistle is at 1 p.m. vs. Hawaii.
Speaking of Hawaii the Niners tough opening out of conference work continues at the Hawaiian Airlines Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Classic beginning with No. 11 UCLA
Thursday, at 8 p.m., On Friday they get the later game at 10 p.m. playing host and No. 10 Hawaii with Saturday off before a 6 pm. Duel with No. 21 Ohio State.
Two other Beach sports also start their seasons on the road. Men’s Water Polo is in the UCI Invitational on Saturday morning vs. Stanford (Scrimmage) and then for real contests with Fresno Pacific at 12:30 p.m. and on Sunday vs. Redlands before two more scrimmages, USC and UCI. Cross Country meanwhile goes to the Brea course in an event hosted by CSU Fullerton.
Last Add — One of my many higher ed stops was at Florida Atlantic University which later this fall will open their own brand new on campus stadium. So the “Owl Club” is looking for volunteers to participate in the “SuperFlush” occurring 3:45 p.m. September 8th. The “Super Flush” is exactly how it sounds. All the stadium toilets need to be flushed at the same time to test the plumbing (kind of like half time during the Super Bowl). — DR. DAN