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Three-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor will join the USC women's sand volleyball program as a volunteer assistant head coach under current head coach Anna Collier. Coming to USC following an Olympic Gold Medal in 2012, the talented May-Treanor brings an outstanding lineage of success to the sand of Merle Norman Stadium.
May-Treanor has won three gold Olympic gold medals on the beach and teamed with Kerri Walsh-Jennings to become the only duo ever to three-peat in the sport. She holds multiple lifetime achievements including the most women's career tournament victories, most women's career earnings, and most women's international career wins.
Here is the initial reaction from the USC Sand Volleyball head coach Anna Collier on Tuesday, who was ecstatic about adding a distinguished Olympic Athlete for this up-and-coming program. This addition comes in the midst of a proud and accomplished time in USC Athletes #WePlay125, celebrating a century-plus tradition of Trojan excellence.
"Misty has a great work ethic both on and off the court," said Collier. "She will bring that same ethic to the team which will enable our student-athletes to see the kind of hard work it takes to become a top sand volleyball player. USC and the sand volleyball team are extremely privileged to add such a valuable asset to our coaching staff. I believe it's just going to elevate our team to another level and make us a national contender." -Via USC Athletics
The Trojans newest volunteer coach is one of three players ever to repeat as AVCA National Player of the Year (1997-98). In 1998, she captained Long Beach State to an undefeated season and the NCAA title. She now hopes to spark energy and championship experience onto a USC roster that finished in the national semifinals, eventually falling to her alma mater Long Beach State at the Sand Volleyball Championships in Gulf Shores, Alabama back in April.
This current program boasts most of its starters from last season, and have added talented transfer Alexa Strange to the sand volleyball lineup. The current roster as it stands is led by experienced seniors Kirby Burnham (who was part of the Trojans national champion doubles tandem), along with Sam Hirschmann and Brooke Fournier. Talented sophomores Sydney Seau (Great Piece on Her Career) and Cinnamon Sary return starting experience to Collier's squad.