Kiraly sets up for win but falls short

Competing in his 27th year of professional beach volleyball, Karch Kiraly, 46, wanted to prove he was more than a relic who stubbornly refused to go away.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published June 4, 2007

Jake Gibb left and Sean Rosenthal celebrate a score in their victory over Karch Kiraly rear center and Kevin Wong in the AVP Crocs Volleyball Tournament finals on Sunday.
	[Brian Cassella Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Brian Cassella Times] Misty May-Treanor sets a ball in her win with partner Kerri Walsh over Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs in the AVP Crocs Volleyball Tournament finals on Sunday outside the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa.

TAMPA - Music substituted for the pounding of the surf. The sand was mixed with dirt and gravel. The only water was the still sheen of the Hillsborough River.

But there were nets and courts on the grounds of the St. Pete Times Forum Sunday for the final of the Association of Volleyball Professionals tour.

And there was Karch Kiraly, his bronzed body sleek with sweat as he tried to turn back the clock on what is his last hurrah.

Competing in his 27th year of professional beach volleyball, Kiraly, 46, wanted to prove he was more than a relic who stubbornly refused to go away. He and teammate Kevin Wong slugged their way to their first final appearance this season, Kiraly's first since 2005.

For a considerable stretch, the two made their opponents, Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal, look bad. But Gibb and Rosenthal lifted their game to a level Kiraly and Wong couldn't touch to win 21-18, 21-17.

"Playing Karch any time is awesome, let alone the final, " Rosenthal said. "He still is just as good as he ever was."

Kiraly's dogged pursuit of a title was the most compelling story of the tournament. Fans cheered his every victory through the early rounds, chanting his name in a frenzied effort to pull him through as his matches got tougher.

The old Kiraly played like the Kiraly of old, teaming with Wong to knock off the top-ranked men's team of Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers in the semifinals.

Riding a wave of confidence and enthusiasm, Kiraly helped his team force a 17-all tie in both games before Gibb and Rosenthal bore down to win.

"It's the craziest thing, especially in a final, " Gibb said. "I want him to win. I just love the guy and look up to him and admire him. It makes it special and I'll remember that for the rest of my life."

It was a tough loss for Kiraly, who had defied time and younger players to reach the final in what is his final season on tour.

"I know I certainly don't get these opportunities too often, " he said of playing in the final. "I don't like to let those slip through my fingers."

In the women's final, the top-ranked team of Misty May-Trean-or and Kerri Walsh beat Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs 21-19, 21-15 to win their sixth straight tournament title.

"Winning tournaments never gets old, " said May-Treanor, who has partnered with Walsh to win 13 of the 14 tournament titles in the past two years.

Sunday's victory was Walsh's 72nd overall, tying her with Holly McPeak for second all-time. The tour's career leader is May-Treanor with 75.

Bob Putnam can be reached at putnam@sptimes.com or 727 445-4169.

Fast Facts:

AVP tour in Tampa

Sunday's results: Men's final - Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal d. Karch Kiraly and Kevin Wong 21-18, 21-17. Women's final - Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh d. Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs 21-19, 21-15.

[Last modified June 4, 2007, 01:48:11]