When in Rome, Sweep the Gold Medals

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 23, 2010) – U.S. beach volleyball teams conquered Rome on Sunday, sweeping the gold medals at the US$600,000 Foro Italico Beach Volley Grand Slam.

Reigning FIVB world champions Jen Kessy (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) and April Ross (Costa Mesa, Calif.) claimed their second-straight gold medal on the 2010 SWATCH FIVB World Tour as they defeated Germany’s Sara Goller and Laura Ludwig, 21-19, 21-17 in 43 minutes in the women’s finale.

Phil Dalhausser (Ormond Beach, Fla.) and Todd Rogers (Santa Barbara, Calif.) complete the sweep later in the evening with a 23-21, 21-11 win in 47 minutes over fourth-seeded Alison Cerutti and Emanuel Rego of Brazil.

En route to splitting the $43,500 first-place prize, Dalhausser and Rogers, the tournament’s No. 1 seeds, opened play Sunday with a 21-14, 21-17 semifinal win in 36 minutes over fifth-seeded Adrian Gavira and Pablo Herrera of Spain. 

“After playing two very tough matches Saturday to reach the semifinals, it was great to only play two sets in each of our wins today,” Rogers told the FIVB. “We defeated two very good teams today and we played very well in both matches. It is great to have two gold medals to our credit this season after three events.”

Sunday’s two victories also propelled Dalhausser and Rogers to the top spot on the SWATCH FIVB World Tour as the Americans have amassed 1,820 points and $84,700 in winnings this year. Alison and Emanuel are second with 1,740 points and $65,500 in earnings.

In the women’s bronze medal match, third-seeded Maria Antonelli and Talita Antunes of Brazil topped the fifth-seeded U.S. team of Nicole Branagh (Orinda, Calif.) and Misty May-Treanor (Costa Mesa, Calif.), 21-15, 21-9 in 36 minutes. It was the second-straight, third-place SWATCH match between the two teams with Antonelli and Talita defeating the Americans in the Shanghai bronze match. The Brazilians shared $23,000 for third-place and Branagh and May-Treanor split $18,400.

With seven-straight match wins this week, Kessy and Ross are the top-ranked team on the 2010 SWATCH FIVB World Tour heading into this week’s stop in Seoul, Korea. Kessy and Ross have now compiled 1,820 points along with winning $84,700.

“It is great to win a finale in Rome, especially with it being a Grand Slam event,” said the 27-year old Ross, who has teamed with Kessy to win their four “major” SWATCH event. “It has been a long week with the matches stretched out over a six-day period. We started the season slowly with a fourth in the opener in Brazil last month and we are playing our best beach volleyball now.”

The Foro Italico Beach Volley Grand Slam was the first of six “major” events on the 2010 SWATCH FIVB World Tour calendar. After the Rome stop, the 2010 SWATCH FIVB World Tour calendar continues with single-gender events (May 25-30) in Seoul (women) and Myslowice (men). After a week off, Moscow hosts the second grand slam event on the 2010 SWATCH FIVB World Tour on June 7-14 followed by a men’s-only event June 15-20 in Prague, Czech Republic.

For more information about the FIVB World Tour event in Brazil, visit the SWATCH FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour web site.

Tags: April Ross, Beach, Beach Volleyball, FIVB beach, FIVB World Tour, Jennifer Kessy, Misty May-Treanor, Nicole Branagh, Phil Dalhausser