Annett Davis Class of 2022
Active: 1997 - 201313 Open Victories
From the beginning Annett Davis was on a volleyball journey where the only logical landing spot would be the Hall of Fame. She had just about everything going for her - athletic genes, poise under pressure, uncompromising drive, a lethal arm swing and, perhaps most notably, the perfect partnership.
After assaulting the floors of the most prestigious Pac 10 arenas with piercing spikes for four years as an outside hitter at UCLA, Annett’s indoor college career culminated with a Conference Player of the Year award. She then turned her attention to the beach where she teamed with fellow Bruin Jenny Johnson Jordan. The legs acclimated to the sand quickly. In just their third tournament together, the 30th seeded Davis and Jordan placed second at the WPVA event in Orlando in 1997 after winning eight straight matches before losing to the tour’s No. 1 ranked team — Nancy Reno and Karolyn Kirby. Two years later the pair were runners-up at the 1999 World Championships in Marseille, France, falling to Brazilian greats Shelda and Adriana in a tense sideout scoring final. A memorable fifth at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney followed a year later.
The foundation for a generational duo had been established. Their athleticism was undeniable, but their strength was in their commitment with each other and the partnership. No other top team in the modern era stuck it out together like Nette and Jenny.
In Annett’s 183 domestic and international events over 16 years, she played 161 with Jenny. That was unheard of during an era when most players switched partners like drivers treat lanes on the 405, looking for a chemistry that came natural to Annett and JJJ. They were bonded by motherhood, faith, family and working around their off court obligations to remain a balance that peers envied.
The pair produced some impressive stats — 12 total wins and 80 top three finishes. Annett added an unprecedented five more victories in Queen of the beach individual events. Why there wasn’t buckets more of wins can only be explained by addressing the elephant in the room — the historical team of Misty May and Kerri Walsh who burst onto the scene in 2003 to dominate like few have in any sport. That just happened to coincide with the prime years of Annett and Jenny. No sour grapes about bad timing — Annett had learned that lesson from her father, Cleveland Buckner, an NBA player whose best offensive game of his career produced 33 points on the same night Wilt Chamberlain scored his legendary 100 points as an opponent.
Annett had a game face that would make a spy blush. Jenny said she wasn’t just a phenomenal hitter, but that she could hit any set in any situation. Just throw it up and Annett would put it down. All the accolades leads back to her perspective.
Annett’s family support from husband Byron, a 12-time All-American swimmer, and daughters Mya and Victoria, are three big reasons for her success.