Asics will unveil select pieces from its new "Kerri" collection, designed in collaboration with Kerri Walsh Jennings, at the Asics World Series of Volleyball event in Long Beach, Calif., on Aug. 18-23. The collection includes 17 items and spans lifestyle, training, competition apparel and includes a collection geared toward junior indoor club teams. Fans at the volleyball event will have the first opportunity to purchase select apparel items, in advance of the full line launching in early '16. Asics also is unveiling the "Asics Kerri-Pult" social media stunt, which will highlight what it feels like to have a 47” vertical and spike a volleyball like Walsh Jennings. Asics will launch participants in a giant human slingshot high above a volleyball net. Fans also can test their skills against targets on the court (Asics). Walsh Jennings said she is “one of the most blessed volleyball players around” because of her "amazing" sponsors. Walsh Jennings: "A lot of corporations get a bad name for funding athletes and it’s like, ‘Why is that a bad thing?’ They’re funding my dreams. ... If I'm doing my job, if I’m kicking butt and taking names, then I'm happy and my sponsors are happy.” Walsh Jennings noted she has partnered with Dick’s Sporting Goods to produce a feature-length documentary, where “they’re going to follow my family and our partnership and everything through Rio and it's my job to get the happy ending in there” (“Squawk Box,” CNBC, 8/4).
