You won’t find the names Annett Davis or Jenny Johnson Jordan in pro beach volleyball’s dump report.
For these two, it’s together forever.
Celebrating their 101st career match together, the fifth-seeded Davis and Johnson Jordan defeated No. 9 Dianne DeNecochea and Brittany Hochevar, 24-22, 21-16, to win the women’s championship Sunday at the AVP Nivea Santa Barbara Open on West Beach.
It is the second straight title for Davis and Johnson Jordan in Santa Barbara. They won in 2008.
“We love Santa Barbara — back to back,” said a joyous Johnson Jordan. “We come into every tournament thinking we can win. Obviously, you’re not going to know till the final ball hits the sand. We like it here.”
“I think we played pretty well all weekend,” said Davis. “We were pretty consistent for the most part. We were going for it.”
Davis was a dynamo in the final, smacking 19 kills with only three errors (.571), digging 12 balls, recording four blocks and two aces. Johnson had nine kills, eight digs and three blocks.
In a sport that’s famous for partner changes, Davis and Johnson Jordan have been together the longest of any other team on the AVP Tour and probably the world. They started playing in 1997 and, except for some time off to have children, have remained partners
“We’re the anomaly, and I’m thankful for that,” said Johnson Jordan. “I can’t imagine what it’d be like to worry about who you’re going to play with next week, next year.
“For us, it’s worked out great. It’s a no brainer.”
Johnson Jordan made a super play to win the first game. She dived to pick up a Hochevar cut shot, popped up and placed the ball deep over the 6-4 DeNecochea, who, at 42, was trying to beat her record as the oldest female to win a pro beach volleyball event. She won in Brooklyn last year at 41 years, 7 months, 18 days.
Davis and Johnson Jordan broke away early in the second game when back-to-back aces by Davis gave them a 6-3 lead.
A Johnson Jordan block gave them their biggest lead at 14-7.
The title was the 12th for the Davis-Johnson Jordan team. Davis has won 13 titles overall and Jordan 12.
In the semifinals, Davis-Johnson Jordan outlasted No. 2 Rachel Scott and Elaine Youngs 17-21, 25-23, 19-17. DeNecochea-Hochevar upset top-seeded Nicole Branagh-Misty May-Treanor 22-20, 15-21, 19-17. It was the first time since the last Santa Barbara tournament in 2008 that May-Treanor failed to make a final.
