Ex-Tar's streak is ended

QUINCY, Mass. — A victory over Misty May-Treanor and partner Kerri Walsh could be considered revolutionary these days on the Assn. of Volleyball Professionals tour, where the Newport Harbor High product and her partner had won the last 10 events they had entered.

And, in fact, that streak came to and end Sunday, as Elaine Youngs and Nicole Branagh rallied for a 15-21, 21-19, 16-14 victory in the final of the Boston Open Sunday.

The loss ended a 39-match AVP winning streak for May-Treanor and Walsh, who had won 21 straight championship matches, in AVP and international events.

Top-seeded May-Treanor and Walsh advanced to the title match by defeating No. 6-seeded Dianne DeNecochea and Barbara Fontana, 21-11, 21-14, in one semifinal.

No. 2-seeded Youngs and Branagh bested No. 4-seeded Tyra Turner and Rachel Wacholder, 21-12, 21-16, in the other semifinal.

Newport Harbor alumna April Ross and her partner, Jennifer Boss, finished tied for fifth. They split $8,500.

May-Treanor and Walsh split the $21,000 runner-up prize, while Youngs, who has 38 AVP titles, and Branagh, who has three, divided $28,000 in winnings.

Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers defeated Estancia High product Matt Fuerbringer and his partner, Casey Jennings, in Saturday's men's final.

The AVP Tour now ventures to Coney Island, N.Y. for the Brooklyn Open. The event is scheduled to begin on Thursday and conclude on Sunday.

— From staff reports