Both Walsh and May-Treanor said they want to have babies soon after the games, and if all goes well they would take 2009 off. That would still leave them plenty of time to get back into shape and qualify for the 2012 games in London — if they want to.

“I want to start a family and, like Kerri said, we’re not in a rush to get back,” May-Treanor said. “Everybody keeps bringing up 2012, but let us enjoy this one first.”

Walsh is eager to return, but she has the advantage of having her husband with her on the road. May-Treanor wonders about the demands of motherhood and how it will fit with the pro tours and the Olympic qualification process.

“I’m not done, and I hope Misty isn’t done yet, either,” Walsh said. “I can’t imagine playing without her.”

May-Treanor finally got to talk to her husband when she was going through standard post-match drug testing. He was able to watch the gold medal match over the Internet from the visitor’s bullpen in San Francisco, where the Marlins were playing the Giants.

“He cried like a little baby,” she said.

Talking to reporters after the Marlins game, Treanor told reporters he didn’t think his wife’s winning streak will ever be topped.

“What she did was special,” he said. “You can say they are the best ever at beach volleyball.”

He’ll get no argument from the Chinese.