Making a statement

Daphne Sanderson

SYDNEY - Bondi Beach, venue for the Beach Volleyball Olympics, saw

greatness on the first day of competition here at the 2000 Olympic Games.

Many of the teams strutted their stuff during Saturday’s elimination

games, but Misty May and Holly McPeak blazed through their game, taking

the first 13 points before their competition, Martina Hudcova and Tereza

Tobiasova of the Czech Republic, could blink.

Misty started it with an ace serve, then Holly digs the hit and shoots

down the middle. Misty digs and hammers down the line and Hudcova hits

out. It’s 4-0.

Holly aces, Misty puts up a sweet set and Holly goes for a long

cross-court. Holly hammers the ball into the tape, causing it to roll

over out of Tobiasova’s reach. It’s 7-0.

Misty rainbows a deep cross-court, then Misty reads the opponent’s

intent to hit on two and roofs the ball. The block adds one more point

and it’s 9-0.

Hudcova hits into the net and Holly jump serves the middle for an ace.

It’s 11-0.

Her second jump serve hits the net, goes over and in international

rules, is considered still in play. Tobiasova can’t reach the serve,

thereby earning another ace for Holly. Misty goes up for the block, but

the ball continues over the U.S. side, so Holly sets it up and Misty lobs

a deep line. It’s 13-0.

The Czechs finally break the ice, but Holly, in a great defensive feat

running backwards, brings up the hit and gets the set from Misty and

snaps down the line to make it 14-2.

It’s over in the 22nd minute when Holly aces the Czechs.

While Butch and Barbara May will need to wait unti the 19th to see in

person how their daughter, Misty, fares, the 15,000 spectators saw two

incredible dynamos demolish their opponents in 22 minutes, 34 seconds.

The Australians talk about the devastating winds that arrive in

September. The U.S. knows the only weather that counts is called Misty.

Daphne Sanderson is the co-autuor of “Winning Doubles Volleyball and a

resident of Corona del Mar.