Walsh, May-Treanor stay unbeaten

Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor, the reigning Olympic champions in beach volleyball, appear unstoppable going in to the Beijing Games.

The top-seeded pair beat fourth-seeded Jennifer Boss and April Ross 21-14, 21-15 today in the finals of the AVP Brooklyn Open at Coney Island.

Walsh and May-Treanor have now won 17 tournaments in a row and 96 straight matches, both records in the sport. They held the previous records of 15 straight tournament victories and 89 straight match wins.

"The Olympics are 20 days away," Walsh told the Associated Press. "I feel it every second of the day. I’m really energized and really excited to be playing volleyball."

On Monday, they are scheduled to meet President Bush for dinner at the White House with 12 other Olympic athletes, including Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, half of the men's beach volleyball representatives to the Olympics.

Walsh and May-Treanor are not without injuries, however. May-Treanor, of Costa Mesa, has her ribs taped but said it doesn't bother her while playing on sand. Walsh is coming off off-season shoulder surgery.

The AVP Tour returns to the Southland for its next event, the Long Beach Open at Marina Green Park. The event runs Friday through Sunday.

-- Debbie Goffa

Photo: Misty May-Treanor digs a ball during the women's final of the AVP Brooklyn Open. Credit: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images