May/Walsh Win Olympic Gold in Beijing
USA Wins their Second Consecutive Gold in Womens Beach Volleyball
Aug 20, 2008
The mist falling from the sky did not stop May and Walsh from dominating over China in the first set, final after the first 21-18. The volleyballs were wiped off or traded out after each play to give the players a better grip and so they were not serving with a slippery ball.
This did not seem to phase May or Walsh since they have trained many session in the rain. Their coach wanted to make sure they knew how to withstand playing and winning in many different weather conditions.
USA trailed China at the beginning of the first set
Trailing to China at the beginning of the first set; May and Walsh started kicking into high gear half way through trading off leads with China. By the end of the first set USA had a three point lead ending it with a score of 21-18.
The rain began to come down harder as the second set began. This did not intimidate the players; the two teams kept trading off leads as they did in the first set. It wasn’t till USA was leading by two, 17-15, that a medical time out was called for China to check Tian’s arm. This gave China enough time to rest and try to make a comeback. There was question whether that time out helped China when they came back scoring three points tying USA 18-18. Evidentially it was not enough time because May and Walsh answered right back gaining two more points and then no hesitation on the match point winning them another gold medal.
May and Walsh win gold, what are thier plans for the future?
May and Walsh are the only American’s to win a gold medal in women’s beach volleyball, as well as the only team to ever win two consecutive gold medals in beach volleyball. They have not lost a game in over a year. Ever team we’ve came across in the past years was just another team closer to meeting our goals, May said.
As she did in Athens in the 2004 Olympics when they won gold May sprinkled her mother’s ashes over the court. May said it was only right because her mother was part of their team.
Walsh said they are both not done on the volleyball court because they love their jobs but they are both ready to have a baby and start families. “It’s just time for a baby,” Walsh added.
