Beach Volleyball: Ross, partner fall in final

GSTAAD, Switzerland —Costa Mesa resident April Ross and partner Kerri Walsh Jennings were defeated, 21-18, 21-14, by the top-seeded Brazilian duo in the final of the Federation International de Volleyball Gstaad Major beach volleyball tournament on Saturday at Swiss Alps Village.

Ross, a Newport Harbor High graduate who won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics in London, and Walsh, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, were the No. 2 seeds. They have now lost to Larissa Franca Maestrini and Talita Da Rocha Antunes in four of their five meetings on the FIVB World Tour. It’s the third victory over the acclaimed Americans in four FIVB title matches for the Brazilians, who are the clear favorites at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Aug. 6-18.

Ross and Walsh Jennings, who will not compete in the Assn of Volleyball Professionals Manhattan Beach Open next weekend, had to rally to earn a semifinal win over No. 3-seeded Germans Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst.

Ludwig and Walkenhorse won the first set, 21-18, and led, 20-17, in the second set, only to see the Americans rally for a 23-21 triumph in Game 2. Ross and Walsh Jennings won the deciding third set, 15-11.

— From staff reports