Talk about a happy birthday.
April Ross and partner Kerri Walsh Jennings kicked off their Olympic beach volleyball quarterfinal match just after midnight against their Australian opponents, meaning the match’s first moments were also the first of Jennings’ 38th birthday. She went home with an early present: a victory in straight sets (21-14, 21-16), and a fourth consecutive Olympics semifinals berth.
The Americans, ranked third in the world, will face quite an opponent in the semifinal, a dream match for volleyball fans: Brazilians Agatha Bednarczuk and Barbara Seixas de Freitas, ranked second. They’ll do battle Tuesday night in Rio de Janeiro.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images
