USA’s Kerri Walsh Jennings, April Ross Advance To Round of 16 In Women’s Beach Volleyball In Rio

Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross defeated Switzerland’s Isabelle Forrer and Anouk Verge-Depre 21-13, 22-24, 15-12 on Wednesday night to win their pool and advance to the Round of 16 in Rio.

USA’s Kerri Walsh Jennings, April Ross Advance To Round of 16 In Women’s Beach Volleyball In Rio

The U.S. women dominated in the first set, but the Swiss duo rallied back in the second. The teams tied at 4-4. Switzerland gained a 5-4 lead following a successful block against Ross. The U.S. duo then regained the lead after a successful block by Ross. Forrer/Verge-Depre took a single-point lead going 11-10 into the first technical timeout of the second set. However, the Swiss women ultimately came away with the second set, winning 24-22, thus forcing a decisive third set.

The second set marked Walsh Jennings’ second lost set of her Olympic career.

Forrer and Verge Depre led into the third set, but the Americans countered to tie at 4-4. A long serve from Ross gave the Swiss a one-point lead and a cut-shot that Ross was unable to save brought the score to 6-4 in Switzerland’s favor. A successful block from Walsh Jennings knotted the score again at 6-6. The U.S. took the lead at 8-7. Following a hard line shot from the Swiss, and then an ace,Forrer/Verge-Depre took the lead at 9-8. After a medical timeout, the U.S. duo rebounded, tying the game at 10-10 before pulling ahead for good to win the match.

Walsh Jennings, 37, is going for her fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal. She won three gold medals with Misty May-Treanor, sweeping Athens and Beijing before losing a single set in London. Ross, 34, won silver at the London 12 Games.

The U.S. women will automatically advance to the Round of 16, while the Swiss women will have to wait for the end of pool play to find out if they qualify for a final-chance lucky loser match.

Walsh Jennings/Ross went 3-0 in group play, beating out Australia, China and Switzerland. The elimination round will begin Aug. 12 at 10 a.m. ET. The US women’s next opponent is yet to be determined.

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 10: Kerri Walsh Jennings digs the ball as April Ross of the United States looks on as Isabelle Forrer blocks at the net playing with Anouk Verge-Depre of Switzerland during the Beach Volleyball – Women’s Preliminary – Pool C, Match 33 on Day 5 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Beach Volleyball Arena on August 10, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)