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KERRI WALSH JENNINGSBorn: August 15, 1978 in Santa Clara, California, USA
Enshrined: 2022 Country: United States Category: Beach Player |
BIOGRAPHY
Where to even start with the impact that Kerri Walsh Jennings has had on the volleyball scene throughout the United States, not to mention the world. Medals, accolades, and winning streaks - Walsh Jennings has them all.
Born in California to an active and athletic family, Walsh Jennings grew up playing sports with her siblings, following in the footsteps of both of her parents. She played indoor volleyball at Stanford University, where she became only the second player in NCAA history to ever receive AVCA First Team All-America honors in all four collegiate seasons. Regarded as one of the best players in collegiate history, Walsh Jennings became the first player in Pac 10 history to record more than 1,500 kills, 1,200 digs and 500 blocks.
A natural transition onto the United States Indoor National Team, Walsh Jennings competed for two years internationally, helping the team to a fourth-place finish at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
In 2001, Walsh Jennings joined with 2016 International Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee Misty May-Treanor, a partnership that turned into what many consider the greatest female beach volleyball pair ever. They finished their initial season with a number five ranking in the world and reached the top spot in 2002.
Their dominance continued into 2003, where they won all eight tournaments they entered and held a then-record 90-match winning streak, which included the FIVB World Championships where they upset defending world champion Brazil in the final.
In their first Olympics together in Athens in 2004, Walsh Jennings and May-Treanor won gold without losing a single set. And that was just the beginning. Over the next several years, the duo went on to win three straight FIVB World Championships in addition to two more Olympic gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. All-told. Walsh Jennings and May-Treanor lost just one set over the course of three Olympic Games.
But the pairing’s success wasn’t just limited to the Olympics, as they won 112 consecutive beach matches and 19 straight tournaments starting in June 2007 and ending in 2009 when they finished second in an AVP event.
Following May-Treanor’s retirement, Walsh Jennings partnered with April Ross for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where the pair overcame adversity to finish with a bronze medal. This was her fourth Olympic medal, making her one of the most decorated volleyball players - male or female - in Olympic history.
Walsh Jennings’ individual accolades are astounding. She was part of the AVP Team of the Year eight times, was named FIVB Best Blocker seven times, named the FIVB Best Hitter and Sportsperson five times each, and the FIVB Most Outstanding four times. She ended her career with the most women’s career tournament victories with 133.
For her history-making dedication and impact globally on the sport of volleyball, we are proud to induct Kerri Walsh Jennings into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame as a Beach Player.
Born in California to an active and athletic family, Walsh Jennings grew up playing sports with her siblings, following in the footsteps of both of her parents. She played indoor volleyball at Stanford University, where she became only the second player in NCAA history to ever receive AVCA First Team All-America honors in all four collegiate seasons. Regarded as one of the best players in collegiate history, Walsh Jennings became the first player in Pac 10 history to record more than 1,500 kills, 1,200 digs and 500 blocks.
A natural transition onto the United States Indoor National Team, Walsh Jennings competed for two years internationally, helping the team to a fourth-place finish at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
In 2001, Walsh Jennings joined with 2016 International Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee Misty May-Treanor, a partnership that turned into what many consider the greatest female beach volleyball pair ever. They finished their initial season with a number five ranking in the world and reached the top spot in 2002.
Their dominance continued into 2003, where they won all eight tournaments they entered and held a then-record 90-match winning streak, which included the FIVB World Championships where they upset defending world champion Brazil in the final.
In their first Olympics together in Athens in 2004, Walsh Jennings and May-Treanor won gold without losing a single set. And that was just the beginning. Over the next several years, the duo went on to win three straight FIVB World Championships in addition to two more Olympic gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012. All-told. Walsh Jennings and May-Treanor lost just one set over the course of three Olympic Games.
But the pairing’s success wasn’t just limited to the Olympics, as they won 112 consecutive beach matches and 19 straight tournaments starting in June 2007 and ending in 2009 when they finished second in an AVP event.
Following May-Treanor’s retirement, Walsh Jennings partnered with April Ross for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, where the pair overcame adversity to finish with a bronze medal. This was her fourth Olympic medal, making her one of the most decorated volleyball players - male or female - in Olympic history.
Walsh Jennings’ individual accolades are astounding. She was part of the AVP Team of the Year eight times, was named FIVB Best Blocker seven times, named the FIVB Best Hitter and Sportsperson five times each, and the FIVB Most Outstanding four times. She ended her career with the most women’s career tournament victories with 133.
For her history-making dedication and impact globally on the sport of volleyball, we are proud to induct Kerri Walsh Jennings into the International Volleyball Hall of Fame as a Beach Player.
