Holly McPeak Visits Cincinnati

Volleyball legend in town promoting AVP Nissan Series Cincinnati Open

By Ed Letsinger  

Chilly temperatures and occasional rain didn’t keep Cincinnati from getting a little taste of beach volleyball today.

Well, maybe not in the truest form, but pro beach volleyball legend and three-time Olympian Holly McPeak did pay a visit to the Queen City; promoting the AVP Nissan Series Cincinnati Open that is coming to the Linder Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, June 30-July 3.

McPeak, who flew in from California late on Wednesday night and was operating on minimal sleep for the whirlwind tour, visited The Beach Waterpark early Thursday morning to shoot promotional pieces for upcoming television spots on NBC.  Her day included plenty of autograph signings and discussions with various people before she headed off to the Linder Family Tennis Center for an early afternoon press conference and tour of the facility. 

“I love the facility,” said McPeak.  “It’s a great size for our Tour and this could end up being one of our top venues once we establish a core fan base,” she told the crowd in attendance.  “This is going to be a great way to expose our sport to the community.” 

The AVP Nissan Series Cincinnati Open is part of the Pro Beach Volleyball Tour conducted by the Association Volleyball Professionals (AVP).  Cincinnati is one of two new stops this year for the Tour and McPeak said fans will enjoy not only the volleyball that the Tour delivers but the atmosphere as well.

“We’ll be bringing the beach lifestyle here (to Cincinnati) and that’s one of the appealing things about our sport,” said McPeak.  “Another (appealing factor) is the approach that the players take; the way they mix with the fans.  It’s nothing for, say, Misty May or Kerri Walsh to go right up and talk to fans right after a match.”   

McPeak, considered the “leading lady” in professional beach volleyball history, is coming off one of her most memorable seasons to date that included taking home the first-ever bronze medal in Athens at the 2004 Olympics playing alongside former partner Elaine Youngs.  She also captured her 72^nd career win making her the all-time leading winner in professional women’s volleyball history.  McPeak is also the career leader in tournaments played and prize money won with more than $1.3 million in earnings.  Additionally, McPeak’s 2004 season highlights included four Tour victories and she was named AVP Best Defensive Player for the third straight year.

The 36-year-old McPeak is beginning her 15^th season on the Pro Beach Volleyball Tour and says she plans on playing at least a few more years, depending on certain factors.

“Prior to this season I was on the two-year plan (play two more years) and then re-evaluate.  If  I’m in a position that I’m happy to be in then I’ll go for the following Olympics in 2008,” she said.  “If I’m not (happy) and don’t have the desire to train as hard as I do and work as hard as I do then I’ll move on in my life.”