Ryan Doherty

Ryan Daniel Doherty (born February 2, 1984) is an American professional beach volleyball player.

Doherty, was born and raised in Toms River, New Jersey, grew up playing baseball, including at Toms River High School East. He was named the 2002 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of New Jersey and was awarded a partial scholarship to play baseball at the University of Notre Dame for the Fighting Irish. He is believed to have been the tallest player in the history of the National Collegiate Athletic Association baseball history. While at Notre Dame, he did not play collegiate volleyball due to his baseball commitments. In 2002, he was named an All-American.

He went undrafted after college, but was eventually signed as a free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks in June 2005. Despite being the first seven-foot-tall player in minor league baseball history, and playing for the Yakima Bears and South Bend Silver Hawks, the Diamondbacks released Doherty in 2007 after he didn't advance past High-A Visalia Oaks.

After his release from minor league baseball, Doherty moved to South Carolina and took up beach volleyball with Steve Johnson. Shortly afterwards he decided to pursue a professional career and moved to Huntington Beach, California. He turned professional in 2010, competing in four events on the 2010 AVP Pro Beach Tour. While in Southern California, his persistence and work ethic paid off in the form of a partnership with Casey Patterson, who became his regular partner in 2012. They paired together to win the 2012 National Volleyball League Preakness event in Baltimore over highly ranked Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers.

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