July 25, 2006: In a span of just two months the AVP has seen three of its athletes reach the million dollar plateau in prize money earned. The 2006 AVP Crocs Tour began with just one American women in Beach Volleyball history who had earned over $1,000,000 in her career. Holly McPeak, the winningest player in history with 72 titles has won over $1,400,000 in her career.
Misty May-Treanor became the second member of the million dollar club at the Cuervo Gold Crown Huntington Beach Open over Memorial Day Weekend. On the Fourth of July weekend on the Jersey Shore, Elaine Youngs became the third member.
To become the fourth member in front of a packed house and LIVE on NBC, Kerri Walsh would have to win the AVP McDonald’s Chicago Open presented by Nautica. Walsh stood up to the challenge as she and partner May-Treanor swept every opponent they faced in the windy city and won at least one game in each match by seven or more points.
“She helped me get to the million-dollar mark, so I had to help her get to the million-dollar mark,” May-Treanor told NBC, which broadcast the finals for the first time this season.
Walsh is the fastest person to reach $1 million in the world; 18 people worldwide hav done it, but none in so few tournaments. She is also one of four who made it there before turning 28.
”I think it’s fabulous because by her being the fastest, you can see how the sport has changed…how the money has changed,” May-Treanor said. “It’s a great stride for women’s sports,” May-Treanor added.
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