Boss wins AVP women's title

Finally, Jennifer Boss knows what it feels like to win an AVP title.

In her 15th trip to a championship match, Boss finally came out on top as she won the women’s AVP Crocs Best of the Beach women's tournament Saturday night in Glendale.

Boss teamed up with Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh to defeat Nicole Branagh and Tyra Turner in three games, 19-21, 20-16, 15-10.

Boss, who had won twice in her career on international soil, never figured her first win in America would come in a state not known for oceans and beaches.

“Yeah, I know (it’s a little weird) ,” Boss said. “But I've been in the finals here before in Tempe. I guess I like the dry heat, who knows?”

The round-robin style tournament gave the finalists the opportunity to pick the player of their choice, excluding their regular season partner, for the final match. Boss earned first choice and didn't have to think twice about picking Walsh.

“No brainer to picker Kerri,” Boss said. “After our match (Turner) was telling me to pick Kerri. It’s not very often you get to play with a gold medalist. We have to play against them (Walsh and partner Misty May-Treanor) all the time, so to see her on my side was pretty cool.”

The unique style of the tournament nearly cost Boss her first title as she and Walsh struggled to find a rhythm their first time playing with each other. Not until a 5-0 run in the second game did the duo really start to click.

“You could tell (it affected us),” Boss said. “We were just a little nervous. We just play differently. She needed to set me a little higher, I needed to set her a little more and it was just those little things and we just dominated after that.”

Boss said it may take a while for it to sink in that she finally won an AVP tournament.

“Maybe not until that check comes in,” Boss said.

Waiting on the check didn't stop her from inviting her fellow AVP players out to celebrate.

“Drinks are on me,” Boss shouted from the sand up to the players’ viewing stage after the match.

With a $19,500 check coming her way, she could afford a big night out.

Finally, Jennifer Boss knows what it feels like to win an AVP title.

In her 15th trip to a championship match, Boss finally came out on top as she won the women’s AVP Crocs Best of the Beach women's tournament Saturday night in Glendale.

Boss teamed up with Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh to defeat Nicole Branagh and Tyra Turner in three games, 19-21, 20-16, 15-10.

Boss, who had won twice in her career on international soil, never figured her first win in America would come in a state not known for oceans and beaches.

“Yeah, I know (it’s a little weird) ,” Boss said. “But I've been in the finals here before in Tempe. I guess I like the dry heat, who knows?”

The round-robin style tournament gave the finalists the opportunity to pick the player of their choice, excluding their regular season partner, for the final match. Boss earned first choice and didn't have to think twice about picking Walsh.

“No brainer to picker Kerri,” Boss said. “After our match (Turner) was telling me to pick Kerri. It’s not very often you get to play with a gold medalist. We have to play against them (Walsh and partner Misty May-Treanor) all the time, so to see her on my side was pretty cool.”

The unique style of the tournament nearly cost Boss her first title as she and Walsh struggled to find a rhythm their first time playing with each other. Not until a 5-0 run in the second game did the duo really start to click.

“You could tell (it affected us),” Boss said. “We were just a little nervous. We just play differently. She needed to set me a little higher, I needed to set her a little more and it was just those little things and we just dominated after that.”

Boss said it may take a while for it to sink in that she finally won an AVP tournament.

“Maybe not until that check comes in,” Boss said.

Waiting on the check didn't stop her from inviting her fellow AVP players out to celebrate.

“Drinks are on me,” Boss shouted from the sand up to the players’ viewing stage after the match.

With a $19,500 check coming her way, she could afford a big night out.

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