Briefs: May-Treanor’s book becomes available

Misty May-Treanor was so excited about her autobiography being released Tuesday, she said she went out and bought a copy for herself.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball posted a photo on her facebook fan page. The picture is of May-Treanor smiling with her new book.

“Book comes out today … both nervous and excited. I hope those that read it will enjoy it … thanks everyone for your support,” May-Treanor’s status reads.

The former Newport Harbor High standout’s autobiography, “Misty, Digging Deep in Volleyball and Life,” was written with Jill Lieber Steeg. In the book, May-Treanor, the all-time winningest beach volleyball player, reveals her past.

May-Treanor grew up with an alcoholic mother who became violent when drunk and a father who also had a drinking habit. Her father, Butch, soberted up after he was jailed for drunk driving.

She was also sexually assaulted during her college days at Long Beach State.

“I didn’t feel comfortable coming out and saying it, or I’m ashamed, but now it’s OK,” she told the Associated Press last month. “If it can help somebody else, if somebody else can read that book, a young girl can say, ‘Oh my gosh, she went through that same thing?’ No way!’ Then I feel that I’m helping.”

Dan Glenn, the longtime Newport Harbor volleyball head man who coached May-Treanor in high school, was interviewed for the book, he said. Glenn was unaware of May-Treanor’s past, he said.

The book says most of the struggles occurred from age 4 to 15. Charlie Brande, May-Treanor’s club coach, knew her parents were alcoholics, but was stunned about the sexual assault.

— Steve Virgen

St. Croix singled out

Vanguard University junior catcher Angela St. Croix has been named All-Golden State Athletic Conference in softball.

St. Croix, who started 53 of the Lions’ 55 games last season, led the team with 19 runs batted in. She hit .289 with 43 hits, second most on the team, and had seven doubles and one triple.

St. Croix walked 10 times and struck out only nine to become the first Vanguard player in the last two seasons to earn all-conference honors.

Vanguard was 29-26, 8-16 in conference in 2010.

— From staff reports