Holly McPeak
USABiography of Holly McPeak
Holly McPeak is an American volleyball player and a star of beach volleyball. She had planned to retire from the sport after the 2008 AVP season but decided to continue playing in the 2009 season. After three consecutive ninth-place finishes, she decided to retire on May 6, 2009. Throughout her career in beach volleyball, McPeak earned a total of 72 titles and a total prize money of 1.4 million US dollars. She ranks third in terms of titles among the best professional beach volleyball players in history, only behind Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Lee Walsh. In terms of earnings, she ranks second, trailing only May-Treanor. She also won a bronze medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics with her partner Elaine Youngs. Standing at just 170 cm, McPeak is considered very small by beach volleyball standards, which makes her achievements even more significant.
Early Career
In 1990, Holly McPeak helped the 'UCLA Bruins' team from the University of California, Los Angeles, win five out of six possible titles in the national championship. However, at the 1996 Summer Olympics, McPeak, in partnership with Nancy Reno, failed to win a medal despite high expectations. This failure is often cited as a reason for conflicts within her team. McPeak's breast augmentation surgery is also mentioned as a potential cause of conflict. In the 2000 Summer Olympics, McPeak, partnered with Misty May-Treanor, finished in fifth place. In the 2005 season, she played with Jennifer Kessy, now known as Jennifer Boss, and in 2006, she teamed up with Nicole Branagh. After Branagh started playing with Elaine Youngs, McPeak partnered with indoor volleyball player Tom Logan for the 2007 AVP season. She then joined forces with Angie Akers.
Post-Retirement Career
McPeak originally planned to retire from professional sports after the 2008 AVP season but later decided to continue playing in 2009. After three consecutive ninth-place finishes, she retired on May 6, 2009. Following her retirement, McPeak worked as a commentator for the volleyball show 'Pac-10' for Fox Sports West, including covering most of the University of California, Los Angeles' televised games.
Personal Life and Legacy
McPeak is married to Leonardo Armato, a former member of the AVP commission. The couple has two sons, Anthony and Elio, and they reside in Manhattan Beach. On October 30, 2009, Holly McPeak was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame. As a three-time champion of American Olympic beach volleyball, she was one of six athletes whose names were immortalized on the Hall of Fame's induction ceremony, held in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the birthplace of this sport. McPeak collaborates with charitable organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, and the Paralympic Committee. She also serves as a brand ambassador for companies such as Speedo, Wilson, Aquafina, and Red Bull. Among her numerous awards, McPeak's most notable achievements include the Olympic bronze medal in Athens 2004, the Rookie of the Year title on the Women's Professional Volleyball Association tour in 1991, the Most Valuable Player awards in 1995 and 1996, and the Best Defensive Player awards in 1995, 1996, and 1997 according to WPVA. She was also named the Most Valuable Player in 2000 by the Balkan Volleyball Organization and received many other accolades.
