Nicole Branagh Official Website

In 2008 AVP Beach Volley Ball player Nicole Branagh traveled to China as a member of the US Olympic team.  In Beijing, Brangh, and partner Elaine Young won their first four matches before being knocked out by Chen Xue and Xi Zhang of China in the quarterfinals.  They rebounded quickly winning the AVP Cincinnati Open on August 31, 2008 by defeating Olympic Gold Medalists Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walshs and ending their amazing 112 match win steak.  Since 2005 Branagh has been considered a top AVP player,   placing in numerous international and domestic tournaments.   Prior to becoming an internationally dominant player in the sand, Nicole excelled as an indoor volleyball player.

 

Born January 31, 1979 to parents Tom and Diane Branagh, Nicole grew up in Orinda California.  Branagh’s natural athletic ability and 6’2” build led her to compete in basketball, indoor volleyball, and track and field at Miramonte High School.   She continued playing volleyball at the collegiate level, competing for the University of Minnesota where she was a named two-time All-American Second Team player.   Nicole graduated with a degree in Public Relations and Advertising and went on to compete on the U.S. National Team from 2001 through 2003, ending after her team won the Bronze Medal at the 2003 Pan American Games.    She played professionally in Japan and Italy, and even spent a season as an Assistant Coach at Cal-State Fullerton before deciding she wanted a change.

 

Deciding to try something different, Nicole started playing beach volleyball competitively in 2004 and was hooked.  “I just really took a chance on the beach,” said Branagh.  “You only have two people.  You’re dealing with the elements.  There’s a lot more strategy and planning in beach volleyball, and I love to be outside.” 

 

Branagh was a top performer from the start.  In 2005 she was named the AVP Rookie of the Year.  A year later she was recognized with the AVP’s Most Improved Player Award for her play with her then partner, former Olympic medalist, Holly McPeak.

 

After a difficult decision, Nicole split from the 5’7” McPeak to team up with current partner, 6’0’ Elaine Youngs.  Branagh felt that a partner with a height advantage was necessary to reach the next level.  Youngs  and McPeak were previously partners themselves, winning the 2004 Olympic Bronze Medal.

 

Since the end of the 2006 season, Branagh and Youngs have worked hard to improve their game.  Between 2006 and the start of the 2008 Olympics the pair played in 39 AVP tournaments, earning 5 first-place wins, 12 second-place, and 11 third-place finishes.  They also finished the 2007 season with an international ranking of 19 after a second place finish in Thailand and third-place finishes in both Brazil and Russia.

 

In the first half of 2008, Branagh and Young competed in eight FIVB events, winning  one gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.  Nicole’s serve of 85.7 kph at the FIVB match in Barcelona helped secure their gold medal and earned her the tournament’s “Most Outstanding Player.” With their silver medal finish at the Moscow FIVB World Tour Grand Slam event on July 5^th, Branagh and Young gained enough points to secure the #2 US Women’s Beach Volleyball slot for the 2008 Olympic games.

Nicole was thrilled to have the opportunity to represent the United States at the Olympics after her years of playing volleyball both inside and out.  “It was always my goal to make it to the Olympics while I was playing indoor, but I never thought my first time making it there would be on the beach.”

Nicole and Elaine entered Beijing ranked #5 in competition.  They beat Netherlands pair, Merel  Mooren and Rebekka Kadijk 2-0 in their first match.  They then defeated  Okka Rau/Stephanie Pohl of Germany (2-0), Milagros Crespo/Imara Estevez of Cuba (2-1), and Dalaxia Fernandez/Tamara Larrea also of Cuba (2-0) to advance to the quarterfinals.   Despite Branagh’s six kills and five digs the pair lost Chen Xue and Xi Zhang of China.

 

Nicole enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling and hanging out with her friends and family.  Her favorite movie is August Rush and she likes to listen to all different types of music.