Notes: AVP welcomes another Olympian

Making her first appearance on the AVP Tour this weekend in Huntington Beach will be a two-time Olympian. Unfortunately, it's not Kerri Walsh (notice how it didn't say two-time Olympic gold medalist?)

Instead, it will be Brazilian Ana Paula Henkel, who, until marrying American Carl Henkel this year, was known as Ana Paula Connelly. She took fifth in the 2004 Games with Sandra Pires, and fifth again with Larissa Franca in 2008. That spot in the Olympics may have been what brought her and Carl together, as he took fifth at the Olympic debut of beach volleyball in 1996 with Sinjin Smith. Maybe not.

Anyway, Ana Paula teams up with Tatiana Minello, another Brazilian, but one who's been playing on the AVP Tour since 2005. Ana Paula and Tati were partners in 2002 on the FIVB Tour, and actually upset Misty May and Kerri Walsh in their first pro match together. The Brazilians cruised all the way to the final of that tournament in Madrid, but met up with May and Walsh again and went home with silver.

Tati had been playing with Priscilla Lima since last year, when their best result was a runner-up finish in Michigan. Priscilla is now with Angela Lewis.

Misty/Kerri watch: For those of you planning on booking tickets to the 2012 London Olympics and catching the women's beach volleyball final with hopes of witnessing Misty and Kerri capture a third straight gold medal, you might want to stop reading here.

As you know, Misty is currently playing with Nicole Branagh while Kerri sits out with her second newborn in two years. And you may have read how eager Kerri is to return to the sand and start marching toward another Olympics with Misty.

Unfortunately, Misty doesn't seem as enthusiastic. Whenever asked about playing with Kerri again or going to the 2012 Games, Misty has said everything from she's focusing on one tournament at a time with Nicole to she heard the world may end in 2012. Now this, from the Long Beach Press-Telegram (last quote in the story):

"I've achieved everything in my career. Do I want to play in the London Olympics? I'm not sure I want to make that kind of commitment, make that kind of sacrifice again. That takes a lot of training, a lot of time. I'm just enjoying myself now, having a little fun. No matter what happens, I've had a great life, and I'm still hoping to raise a family."

She's not ruling London out, but she's also not making any plans to see Buckingham Palace.

AVP app: Recognizing the popularity of the iPhone these days, the AVP is hoping to increase its popularity by releasing the official AVP Beach Volleyball Game for iPhone. Users can play as or against each of the four 2008 Olympic gold medalists -- Misty May-Treanor, Kerri Walsh, Phil Dalhausser, Todd Rogers -- as well as watch exclusive video of each athlete. AVP info, such as history and the 2010 schedule, is also available.

For those who don't have an iPhone, you're stuck with Kings of the Beach. Yes, that classic 1980's original Nintendo game featuring Sinjin Smith and Randy Stoklos. Enjoy!

Four-woman events: Around the same time Kings of the Beach was in its heyday, Gabrielle Reece was storming through the competition in four-woman beach volleyball. Twenty years later, Reece is back and she's bringing three teammates.

The AVP announced today the events in Hermosa Beach and Malibu in July, and the Hermosa Beach Invitational in September will all feature four-woman competitions. Reece and four-woman action were last seen on the AVP Tour in Chicago in 2007.