Ex-Tar, partner on track

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Newport Harbor High product Misty May-Treanor, who along with partner Kerri Walsh form the top-seeded women’s team, advanced to the semifinals set for today at the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals beach volleyball tournament that began Saturday.

May-Treanor and Walsh defeated No. 5-seeded Carrie Dodd and Titiana Minello, 22-20, 19-21, 17-15, in the quarterfinals Saturday night.

May-Treanor and Walsh handled sisters Katie and Tracy Lindquist, 21-10, 21-10, earlier Sunday to advance to the quarterfinals.

Former UC Irvine standout Whitney Pavlik and partner Jennifer Snyder opened some eyes Saturday, when the No. 14-seeded duo upset No. 3-seeded Barbra Fontana and Dianne DeNecochea, 21-19, 16-21, 15-13, in the second round.

Pavlik and Snyder, however, were topped in the third round early Sunday, 21-13, 21-19, by No. 6-seeded Ashley Ivy and Heather Lowe. The loss dropped Pavlik and Snyder back into the contender’s bracket.

The win over Fontana and DeNecochea was the biggest ever for Pavlik and Snyder.

The women’s final is tentatively scheduled for 2 p.m. today, immediately following the men’s final.

May-Treanor and Walsh are returning to action after missing the AVP event at Charleston, S.C., May 8-10, due to an shoulder injury plaguing Walsh. Walsh, who had shoulder surgery in November, aggravated her shoulder during the duo’s victory at the AVP Huntington Beach event, May 3. Walsh and May forfeited their semifinal match the next day at the Cuervo Gold Crown event in Huntington Beach.

May-Treanor and Walsh won the first three tournaments of the season, including Huntington Beach, and appear back on the winning track.

The top-seeded men’s team of Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers have breezed into the today’s semifinals.

The top men’s team defeated Fred Souza and Anthony Medel, 21-18, 21-18, in the quarterfinals. Rogers-Dalhausser will face the winner of today’s early contender’s bracket matchup between Nick Lucena and Sean Scott, the No. 3 seed, and No. 12-seeded John Mayer and Jeff Nygaard.