Two-time Olympic gold medalist and AVP Crocs Tour superstar Kerri Walsh plans to make her return to professional beach volleyball at the AVP Crocs Slam Bud Light Hermosa Beach Open, it was announced this week. Walsh has been absent from AVP Crocs Tour play for the first nine events of the 2009 AVP Crocs Tour season because of the birth of her first son, Joseph Michael Jennings, with husband and fellow AVP athlete Casey Jennings.

“I've been itching to get back out on the sand for so long, and can't wait to play at the AVP Hermosa Beach Open," said Walsh, a resident of Hermosa Beach. “I’m training again and am so excited return to competition, as well as for our new son to see both his parents play on our hometown beach.”

Due to longtime partner Misty May-Treanor’s rehabilitation from an injury, Walsh will partner with Rachel Wacholder, who will also make her return to AVP Crocs Tour action in Hermosa Beach after the birth of her son, Koa Daniel Scott, with husband and fellow AVP athlete Sean Scott.

The AVP Crocs Slam Bud Light Hermosa Beach Open is set to take place August 6-9 in Hermosa Beach, Calif. Women’s semifinals will be broadcast live Saturday, August 8 at approximately 2 p.m. ET on Universal Sports, while the finals will be shown live at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC. Men’s semifinals will be broadcast live Sunday, August 9 at approximately 2 p.m. ET on Universal Sports, while the finals will be shown live at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBC.