Hot Corner: Chance encounter with beach-volleyball star Misty May-Treanor
By Larry Hamel lhamel@suntimes.com August 16, 2011 8:44PM
Misty May-Treanor
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Updated: November 3, 2011 9:32AM
Who knew that a stranger walking up to my volleyball net at Oak Street Beach could turn into an opportunity to hang out with Misty May-Treanor?
When the man, who turned out to be a friend of the two-time Olympic gold medalist and winningest female player in beach-volleyball history, asked where to find a net, I gave him my standard answer: “You can rent one from the volleyball office at North Avenue Beach or buy one at Sports Authority.” A few minutes later, over by the water fountain, he asked whether I would be coming to the beach the next afternoon because “Misty was in town and needed a court to work out on.” I replied, “Misty? Misty May? Yeah, I’ll bring out a net for Misty May.”
The next afternoon Misty — with the help of her dad, 1968 indoor volleyball U.S. Olympian Butch May — trained for nearly two hours at Oak Street Beach using my blue Park & Sun net. She was in town because it was an off week for the FIVB World Tour and her husband Matt Treanor, a major-league catcher, was in town because the Kansas City Royals were playing the Sox. After her workout, she and I talked.
Larry Hamel: If you had to do it over again, considering you that tore your Achilles tendon practicing for the show, would you go on “Dancing with the Stars”?
Misty May-Treanor: I definitely would. I keep my fingers crossed they invite me back.
LH: You are one of the more, ah, unusual dancers in beach volleyball. Your dances during player introductions are legendary. If you went back on “Dancing with the Stars,” would that help you improve your court dances?
MMT: Instead of free-styling on the court, I probably would have a full routine if I went back on Dancing with the Stars, because everything there is a routine ... maybe come out doing the Cha Cha.
LH: What is your favorite memory of playing in Chicago?
MMT: The city is just fantastic. I look forward to coming here any chance I can ... in the summer, of course. Chicago is a sports town and our venue was always packed. I remember how loud it got on Center Court. The venue here [at Oak Street], you have huge buildings right behind you. You have the lake. It was just a fantastic place to play beach volleyball.
LH: You have no children and Kerri Walsh has two. Are you ever going to catch up with her in the baby race?
MMT: I don’t know I could be doing this ... have another chance at the Olympics if I were in Kerri’s position. She’s lucky enough that she travels with her husband [pro beach player Casey Jennings]. My husband has a separate career and with a child I just don’t think I would be able to do this. As far as children go, it’s a matter of time. It’ll happen when it happens and Matt and I are looking forward to it.
LH: It’s so apparent from watching you play that you and Kerri aren’t just partners, you are really close friends. Does that give you an advantage on the court?
MMT: It’s really important when things aren’t going well that you stick together through thick and thin. That’s something we have. Whether you have good days or bad days, as long as we weather the storm together, we’ll be OK.
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