Beach Olympians: world class players

By Phil Witte
Daily Forty-Niner

They have six Olympic appearances, nine All-American selections and five national player of the year awards and, for the first time, they all appeared on the same "Dream Team."

Before Tuesday's game pitting elite volleyball alumnae against the current Long Beach State volleyball squad, Head Coach Brian Gimmillaro presented the team, including the three 2000 Olympians, Tara Cross-Battle, Danielle Scott, and Misty May, at a pre-game press conference.

Gimmillaro discussed what separates the most successful of his former players, standing together on a podium for the first time.

"They all have character and a passion for living that would make them successful in whatever they chose to do," Gimmillaro said. "I'm really excited that they'll get a chance to play on the same court together and for the public to pay a final tribute to Tara before she goes to Brazil."

The Sydney Olympics was the third for Cross-Battle and second for Scott, the only veterans on a young American team.

Given their youth, the team was not expected to finish high, but they exceeded expectations and finished fourth, losing to Brazil in the bronze medal game.

"I knew it was going to be my last experience at the Olympics and that made it unforgettable," Cross-Battle said. "We had a young bunch with us so we didn't know what to expect, but they showed they weren't afraid and we played hard.

"Going in without any expectations and being seven points away from the gold medal match and ending up playing for the bronze let the world know we're a better team than they expected," Cross-Battle said.

The alumnae game was Cross-Battle's last appearance on an American court as she is going to Brazil to finish her playing career.

Caroline Limuti/Daily Forty-Niner

Olympians and their college coach: from left, Misty May, Danielle Scott, Brian Gimmillaro and Tara Cross-Battle share a moment Tuesday at The Pyramid.

Gimmillaro introduced Scott as "according to some sources, the best player in the world."

Scott said she will try to join Cross-Battle as a three-time Olympian in four years if her body holds up.

"On the '96 team I was one of the younger players on the team, so this time I took a leadership role and encouraged the younger players," Scott said.

For now, Scott is going to Brazil to play in a professional league, but she has loftier ambitions for the future.

"I'd like to play professional basketball in the WNBA and I've had a couple of tryouts with the Sparks," Scott said. "But I'll probably have to play internationally before I can make that team."

After her playing days are over, Scott said she is thinking of returning to school and getting into sports marketing or becoming an agent.

May and beach partner Holly McPeak overcame injuries and a late qualification start to make the Olympics, but lost in the quarterfinals to Brazilian bronze medal winners Adriana Samuel and Sandra Pires.

"It was difficult because we believed we could do it," May said. "After all the hard work we went through just to qualify, it was disappointing not to come home with a medal."

Despite not winning a medal, May said she had a great time in Sydney and that this year's result will motivate her even more next time.