Off-court chemistry keys on-sand success

World champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh undoubtedly have superb beach volleyball skills, but it is their eight-year history together and close friendship that they reckon is the magic ingredient in their partnership.

Beach volleyball is rife with partner-swapping as players try to find the right combination between a tall powerful blocker to take the net and an athletic digger to play at the back.

In a two-on-two game, though, that is not enough. If the off-court chemistry does not work between a pair, on-court results tend to show.