Beach volleyball: Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, United States

The only household names in their sport might be considered easy marks as they try to defend the gold medal they won in Athens four years ago. Misty May-Treanor of Costa Mesa, Calif., has been playing recently with taped ribs and Kerri Walsh of Saratoga, Calif., is coming off shoulder surgery last off-season.

Yet the last time the two former high school rivals lost was August 2007, when Nicole Branagh, Orinda, Calif., and Elaine Youngs, El Toro, Calif., the other U.S. team in Beijing, beat them. May-Treanor and Walsh have won 18 consecutive tournaments and 101 straight matches.

Such monotony is wearing on their rivals. “I’m sick of them winning,” Jennifer Boss said last month.

Not only did May-Treanor and Walsh fail to lose a game en route to gold in Athens, they have won the last three world titles. They are clear favorites to win again.

Washington Post