Moscow medal matches share similar feel for North Americans

Moscow, Russia, May 29, 2016 – The 2015 Moscow Grand Slam was not the “best of times” for the two best women’s Beach Volleyball teams on the North American continent, but those pairs’ performances here Sunday will be memorable times for the tandems of April Ross/Kerri Walsh Jennings and Heather Bansley/Sarah Pavan.

The “best” moment came in the 2016 Moscow Grand Slam title match as the third-seeded Ross and Walsh Jennings of the United States avenged two previous gold medal setbacks to second-seeded Talita Antunes and Larissa Franca by posting a podium-topping 2-0 (22-20, 21-17) win in 36 minutes over the defending Russian capital champions from Brazil.

In addition to snapping a two-match losing streak to Talita and Larissa, the gold medal finish came after the Americans finished 17th at the 2015 Moscow Grand Slam due to forfeiting two matches due to a dislocated right shoulder for Walsh Jennings in a pool play match.

Ross and Walsh Jennings entered last May’s event after winning the 2014 Moscow Grand Slam gold medal by defeating Talita and Taiana Lima in the three-set finale.  Shortly after that event, Talita split with Lima and joined forces with Larissa as the pair has won 12 of their 20 FIVB World Tour starts together.  Sunday’s setback was also Talita and Larissa’s first gold medal setback in 13 matches.

Prior to the women’s finale, Bansley and Pavan redeemed themselves in the Russian capital after winning the bronze medal match 2-0 …

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