Photo Credit: AP
Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross dominated the Australian team of Taliqua Clancy and Louise Bawden in straight sets, 21-14, 21-16 in the early hours of Monday at Copacabana Beach. The Americans and Australians were trading points back and forth for the first half of each set, but the Americans managed to pull away both times for the win. Clancy and Bawden have never beaten Walsh Jennings and Ross.
The most memorable play of the match came when Ross blocked a spike from the Australians, which went out of bounds on the Australian side of the court. Walsh Jennings rushed under the net, passed the ball back over to Ross, who gave a free ball to the Australians. Walsh Jennings then had a block to win the point.
Walsh Jennings noted that Ross had a great dig and she had plenty of time to get to the ball. “It wasn’t even that hard, it was just a unique play.” Ross, on the other hand, said the point was “rad”.
Next, the Americans face reigning world champions Agatha Bednarczuk and Barbara Seixas of Brazil, who are ranked No. 2 in the world by the FIVB. Walsh Jennings and Ross are currently ranked No. 3.
Walsh Jennings and Ross have won the hearts of not just everyone watching at home, but also famous fans in Rio. Saturday Night Live cast member Leslie Jones and Team USA basketball and NBA stars Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, DeAndre Jordan, and Jimmy Butler were all in attendance to cheer them on.
“That’s one of the biggest things I love about the Olympics,” said Ross. “We’re all Team USA and we all support each other.”
