Parkersburg — On Wednesday, Parkersburg High School students had the unique opportunity to hear from three-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor during their Sports in American Culture class. May-Treanor, along with teammate Kerri Walsh Jennings, won gold medals in beach volleyball at the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Summer Olympics.
Appearing via Zoom, May-Treanor shared her journey as an athlete, beginning with her high school career. She mentioned being a top recruit and choosing Long Beach State for its strong volleyball program. May-Treanor captained the 1998 team that achieved an undefeated season, marking a significant milestone in NCAA women’s volleyball history. Her discussion also included her transition from an outside hitter to a setter, which allowed her to compete at elite levels, including the Olympic Games.
Students were eager to ask questions, and junior volleyball player Kennedy Porter expressed her appreciation, stating, “Having someone that we could ask specific questions to, that would help us and just give us advice to help us in our sport, was really great.”
May-Treanor revealed the tough balancing act she faced while playing for the national indoor team and attending college simultaneously. “In between my time at Long Beach State, I was playing on the indoor national team, so I never had a summer off,” she explained.
Eventually, May-Treanor transitioned to beach volleyball after feeling burned out with indoor competitions. She emphasized the need to develop all-around skills, especially for players in the middle positions. “The offseason is a great time to play at the beach and get used to the different timing and demands of the game,” she advised.
May-Treanor fondly recalled the experience of representing her country at the Olympics. She described the honor of walking with the American flag during the Olympic parade and the pride of listening to the national anthem while standing on the podium.
The Olympian also touched on the reality of professional sports, discussing challenges like extensive travel and adjusting to different time zones and food. She underscored the importance of maintaining routine and adequate rest while striving for excellence.
Before wrapping up her talk, May-Treanor encouraged students to have a backup plan and to nurture interests outside of sports. She also highlighted the significance of being mindful of their social media presence, advising students to be role models for younger peers.
Her talk ended on a motivational note, inspiring students to cherish their experiences and strive for their goals. Junior player Ava Sayre reflected, “You don’t have these experiences every day. You can use some things that she talked about for the rest of your life.”
