May-Treanor pursued higher education in Physical Education and Human Movement Studies at California State University, Long Beach. She played indoor volleyball at Long Beach State and was part of their 1998 NCAA championship team. Her family has a strong sports background, with her father Bob playing on the 1968 US Olympic volleyball team and her mother Barbara being a nationally-ranked tennis player.

Professional Career

May-Treanor's professional career is distinguished by several awards. She was named the FIVB World Tour Most Outstanding Player in 2005 and 2008. Additionally, she received the FIVB Best Defensive Player award in 2007, 2008, and 2011, and the FIVB Best Offensive Player award in 2005, 2007, and 2008. In 2008, she was named USA Volleyball's Female Beach Volleyball Player of the Year.

Training and Coaching

Her training regime includes beach training, weightlifting twice a week, and yoga sessions. She is coached by Marcio Sicoli from Brazil. May-Treanor is right-handed and has various nicknames including Pinkhead, Bean, Misto, May May or Pizza.

Injuries and Challenges

Throughout her career, May-Treanor faced several injuries. In May 2011, she injured her left knee during a tournament in China. This injury forced her and teammate Kerri Walsh to withdraw. In October 2008, she tore her left Achilles' tendon while rehearsing for 'Dancing with the Stars,' causing her to miss almost all of the 2009 season.

Personal Life

May-Treanor is married to Matt Treanor, a major league baseball player. They reside in Long Beach, CA. Her hobbies include coaching, making people laugh, playing with dogs, and cleaning the house. She has several tattoos including an angel tattoo with the initials BM for her mother who passed away from cancer in 2002.

Superstitions and Rituals

May-Treanor has some unique superstitions and rituals. She and her volleyball partner Kerri Walsh like to enter the court by jumping over the sideline together and perform a complicated handshake before each match.

Autobiography and TV Appearances

In 2010, she published an autobiography titled 'Misty: Digging Deep in Volleyball and Life.' She has also appeared on TV shows such as 'CSI: Miami,' 'The Wizards of Waverly Place,' and 'Dancing With the Stars.'

Ashes Tribute

In 2004, she carried a prescription bottle containing some of her deceased mother's ashes during the AVP tour. She planned to scatter some of the ashes at various locations but decided to wait until after winning the gold medal at the 2004 Olympic Games to scatter them.

Future Plans

Looking ahead after July 2024, May-Treanor plans to coach indoor volleyball. This ambition reflects her continued passion for the sport and desire to contribute to its growth.

Misty May-Treanor's journey in volleyball is marked by dedication, resilience, and numerous achievements. Her story continues to inspire many in the sports community.