Aug. 8, 2012

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STANFORD, Calif. - Kerri Walsh Jennings '00 and partner Misty May-Treanor cemented their status as the greatest beach volleyball team of all time Wednesday, capturing their third straight Olympic Gold Medal with a 2-0 sweep of fellow Americans Jennifer Kessy and April Ross.

In Beach Volleyball action...
The U.S. womens beach volleyball team of Kerri Walsh Jennings '00 and Misty May-Treanor won their third straight Olympic gold medal on Wednesday, defeating compatriots Jennifer Kessy and April Ross, 21-16, 21-16, at Horse Guards Parade.

Walsh Jennings registered 11 kills, three blocks and two aces in the gold medal match, while May-Treanor finished with 16 kills and 15 digs.

The pair, which won gold medals in Athens in 2004 and Beijing in 2008 and were seeded No. 3 in London, finish the tournament at 7-0 (21-0 in Olympic matches going back to Athens and 42-1 in Olympic sets). Kessy and Ross (No. 4) finish their first Olympic Games with a silver medal and a 6-1 record.

With May-Treanor and Walsh's victory, the United States continues its streak of having at least one gold medalist in beach volleyball since its introduction in 1996. The duo becomes the first women to win three Olympic medals in beach volleyball and the first players of either gender to win three beach volleyball gold medals.

In Men's Water Polo action...
Team USA's medal hopes were dashed Wednesday, as the U.S. fell to Croatia, 8-2, in a quarterfinal contest.

Peter Varellas '06 scored one of the two U.S. goals in the loss, while Tony Azevedo '05, Layne Beaubien '99 and Peter Hudnut '03 all saw action.

Croatia took control of the contest early and rode its early momentum to a 5-0 halftime lead. Ryan Bailey and Varellas would score in the third frame, pulling the U.S. to within three at 5-2, but the Croatians netted two more goals before the end of the period to extinguish any hopes for a comeback.

The U.S. will play Spain in the first round of the consolation bracket (places 5-8) Friday at a time to be determined.