Misty May-Treanor Kerri Walsh: Dominant Duo Will Take Step Back at London Games

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh will take a step back at the 2012 London Olympics because they already have.

May-Treanor and Walsh may have won the title in the 1to1 Energy FIVB Grand Slam on Saturday in Gstaad, Switzerland, but that doesn't change the fact that they haven't been dominant overall in 2012.

Headed into Gstaad, the two-time Olympic gold medalists had reached the final four only once in their five tournaments in 2012. In fact, fellow Olympians April Ross and Jennifer Kessy may actually have a better chance in the 2012 Summer Games.

The favorites this year have to be Larissa Franca and Juliana Silva of Brazil. Remember, Franca and Silva defeated May-Treanor and Walsh, 2-1, in the finals of the 2011 Rome World Championships.

There's also the Chinese duo of Xue Chen and Zhang Xi, who broke Franca and Silva's gold-medal winning streak in the FIVB World Tour Women's final in August 2010. They also won a bronze medal in the 2011 World Championships.

There is no doubting the American duo's ability, of course. May-Treanor and Walsh are still to be feared heading into the Summer Olympics this year.

But I can't get past their loss to the Brazilians last year, not to mention their uncharacteristic play overall this year. I just think Franca and Silva are more consistent and solid these days, ready to claim the throne. They have gotten better, while May-Treanor and Walsh appear to be slipping.

It will make for interesting competition this year, given a few duos have a legitimate shot of grabbing the gold medal, but I ultimately see the reigning Olympic champions giving way to Franca and Silva.

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