Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Deserve More Respect from USA Fans

Women's beach volleyball may be far from a popular sport in the United States, but the reign of dominance displayed by partners Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings warrant much more respect from American fans. 

The "hot" U.S. athletes (literally and figuratively) heading into this year's Olympics are clearly Michael Phelps, his teammate Ryan Lochte, the attractive hurdler Lolo Jones and the men's basketball team. 

Sure, most of them deserve the mass attention they've received and will receive when the games begin, but remember, May-Treanor and Walsh-Jennings are on the verge of winning a record-breaking third consecutive gold medal in London. 

They confidently went to the games in Athens in 2004, riding a 90-match win streak, and did not lose a game throughout the duration of the tournament en route to their first gold medal.

In Beijing in 2008, the two once again captured gold, defeating China in the finals.

You'd think their unparalleled supremacy in their sport and the fact that they've dominated wearing bikinis on the beach would make them Olympic superstars in their home country. 

Sadly, that hasn't been the case. 

They haven't been totally forgotten, but they've certainly been in the shadows of less accomplished athletes as we head into this summer's Olympiad. 

While we watch as a handful of ultra-hyped athletes look to make history of their own, we mustn't forget about two of our countries most iconic athletes, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh-Jennings. 

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