NBC Olympics.com – Three-time Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings and London silver medalist April Ross fell to second-seeded Brazilians Agatha and Barbara 22-20, 21-18 in the women's beach volleyball semifinals.
The Brazilians took an early lead in the first set but the U.S. women responded to tie at 9-9. Agatha and Barbara took a one-point lead to bring the score to 11-10 entering the first technical time out. The Brazilian women took the first set 22-20.
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Agatha and Barbara led in the second set as the U.S. women struggled to battle against the pressure from the Brazilian women at the net. Walsh Jennings and Ross rallied back to tie the score at 8-8. A serve into the net from Kerri Walsh Jennings and an unforced error from the U.S. women gave the Brazilian women a two-point lead. Walsh Jennings followed up with a block at the net to bring the score to 11-10 as they entered the first technical timeout of the second set. The Brazilian women continued their run while the U.S. women trailed behind. Agatha and Barbara took the second set to win the match 22-20, 21-18.
The upset marked Kerri Walsh Jennings' first loss of her Olympic career.
The Brazilian women will face Germany's Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst in the Gold Medal Match while Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross will play Larissa and Talita of Brazil in the Bronze Medal Match.