Walsh Jennings, the one-woman beach volleyball dynasty, finally lost an Olympic match.
Advertisement
European champions Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst eased home 21-18, 21-12 against the Brazilians to become Germany’s first women’s team to medal in the beachvolley event.
The night required a quick mental and emotional rebound for the Americans. And it’s the first time since Sydney that Walsh Jennings has not won Olympic gold.
Asked if she would return for a sixth Olympics in 2020, Walsh Jennings said, “I know I can”.
With the help of trainers, masseuses, and her husband Casey, Walsh Jennings dove into rehab and reconditioning with the same passion that she spikes balls. After taking the first set 21-18 the Germans got off to a hot start in the second, scoring six of the first seven points on their way to a 21-14 victory.
Walsh Jennings wasn’t afraid to take responsibility for her part. The gap was enough to slow Brazil’s momentum and the US women took the second set 21-17. Walsh Jennings struggled uncharacteristically to find her passing rhythm during both sets. Ross-Walsh Jennings trimmed the lead to three at 19-16 and 20-17, but the Brazilians knocked down the final point in a 21-17 victory.
After the final point, the two Americans hugged and then walked to the net and shook hands.
These were the first Olympic Games that Walsh Jennings teamed up with Ross. If you see a weakness, you go after it.
Ross reflected to TeamUSA.org on their chance to play for Bronze against another Brazilian team. Although for Kerri Walsh Jennings, you wondered if they ever would. She covered an insane amount of ground in the third, reaching shot after shot and hitting several smashed winners of her own.
Brazil’s Larissa Franca, left, and teammate Talita Rocha are introduced before facing the United States in the women’s beach volleyball bronze medal match of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2016. Walsh Jennings stuffed Talita to post an 11-8 US lead, before Ross bounced a shot off the sand for a big four-point lead at 13-9.
With 10 total Olympic Beach Volleyball medals, the American men medaled in 1996 (gold and silver), 2000 (gold) and 2008 (gold) quadrennials.
The Brazilian duo, ranked No. 2, was looking to avenge another home team, Talita and Larissa, that was eliminated earlier in the day to Germany. “All the focus is to get the gold medal for Brazil”.
In the loss to Brazil, Walsh-Jennings wouldn’t place any blame on her partner.
“It’s our final now”, said Ross, though she expects Larissa and Talita will be equally bitter about not playing for gold.
Advertisement
What most people don’t know is that Jennings had a injury scare before coming to the Rio Olympics.
