Boulder – Just over a year ago in Athens, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh had olive wreaths around their heads, flowers in their hands and, most important, Olympic gold medals draped around their necks.
They were on top of women’s beach volleyball, dubbed the unbeatable team, the Golden Girls. But the once-immortal team is human – against one team, at least.
Colorado’s Elaine Youngs and Rachel Wacholder rallied from a one-set deficit Sunday and won the third set 15-13 to win the Boulder Open at the Boulder Reservoir.
“They are the best team in the world, and we’re the only team that’s beating them,” Wacholder said. “For me, it’s so exciting. It can’t get any better than this. The hard work has paid off.”
But this success as of late for the second-ranked team on the Association of Volleyball Professionals (AVP) Tour might have never happened. Wacholder, a former University of Colorado standout, was given the opportunity to play for three matches on the international tour with Walsh while May-Treanor was out with an injury.
When May-Treanor returned, Youngs snagged Wacholder.
“At first I didn’t know what to expect, because Rachel has never won domestically,” Youngs said. “I believe regardless of whom I’m playing with, I’m going to win. It’s been an awesome ride. I’m so stoked having Rachel on my team. You never know what’s going to happen.”
But losing a hotly contested first set 21-19 and coming back to win the second by the same score set the stage. Youngs, from Durango, and Wacholder fed off a crowd that was behind them.
Trailing 11-9 in the third set, Youngs and Wacholder attacked May-Treanor. The result was three errors.
May-Treanor rebounded like an Olympian, spiking the ball with authority into the left corner, bringing the game within 13-12. But Wacholder scored two of the next three points.
“They’ve (the partisan fans) been so great, and that’s what I love about Colorado,” Wacholder said.
Wacholder, who sported a CU white hat throughout the weekend, said success on tour has been a long time coming. And it’s all because she was given the opportunity to partner with Youngs, a bronze-medal winner in Athens.
“In the beginning of the year, it was frustrating because I didn’t think we were playing well,” Wacholder said. “I’m so happy I didn’t quit before this. Now I think I’ve proven I can play with these dominant girls and hold my own.”
Men’s final
Facing the No. 1 team and current points leaders on the AVP Tour in Jake Gibb and Stein Metzger, Sean Scott and Todd Rogers were able to pull away with a victory in straight sets, 21-16 and 23-21.
“I’m speechless,” Scott said. “It’s been a long year, a lot of trials and tribulations.”
Gibb and Metzger were facing the one team that has given them the most trouble. Scott and Rogers have won four out of the five meetings this season.
“I can’t explain it. I guess we match up well against them,” Rogers said.
Staff writer Bryan Chu can be reached at 303-820-1979 or bchu@denverpost.com.
