Along with hall of famer holly mcpeak, i am chris marlowe. 16 elite volleyball teams started in the tournament and now we are down to two. Its the classic. Brazil and the United States. We will talk about franco and talita. They won seven times. And they made it to the finals, to beat walkenhorst and beat the rest in canada and germany. And april ross and Lauren Fendrick playing their best volleyball here in 2017. Long time friends, both veterans, new Team Together but really hitting their stride. Their asices road to the finals, they defeated the rest of the field, including Kerri Walsh Jennings and Nicole Branagh to get to the final. Brazil and the United States. Lets get it started. It will be the best two out of three sets. Two sets to 21. Third set if necessary to 15. And the first big is a good one by Lauren Fendrick. The United States in red and blue and there is walsh with the dive. No, its not going to come up. Interesting starting off on larissa, the american, going to test larissa from the beginning. Talita on the brazilian team. The reason, they are scared of larissa. 25 years old. One of brazils greatest players. And there she is. Bronze in 2012. But finished fourth this last time around in rio. The olympics have not been kind to larissa, one of the best alltime players of all time in any country. She is only 59 but she can do it all. And a great competitor. Set to serve is Lauren Fendrick, 35 years old. First time u. S. Olympian in rio with brooke sweat. That is a staple. Lauren fendrick is almost 63. Is very disciplined and that is so important. She is very focused on her job and that is blocking and owning the net for the American Team. Starting with getting larissa in trouble. Talita chases it down. It might take them for United States to get the win. Fendrick serves again. Played college ball in ucla. A fivesport star in high school. April is there. April ross and crosscourt rs it out of bounds. April ross, we should tell you, is playing with a bum toe. Ross broke her toe about a month ago in new york and shes been receiving treatment on that toe. Not 100 . We learn more in a moment from Ann Marie Anderson. And the shot is good. Beautiful transition by larissa. The sand is hot today. The brazilians not wearing sand socks. Lauren fendrick wearing sand socks. Even the Beach Volleyball dance erps are wearing sand socks. Lets meet the third member of our broadcast team. Its annen marie. Thanks, chris. I did speak with april at the semifinal and huge. She said it dont hit her too much in that semifinal. But she did strain her left calf. Why she is trying to treat her right toe, she is playing close attention to the left calf. That is the opposite leg of the toe injury. Well keep an eye on there. That here comes april and larissa. Blocked off her head. Thats good. Diving is ross. Here comes talita. And she puts it away. Are you kidding me . What a rally. Larissa thought that was play was over and slowly came off her head and brazil is able to win the point. Wow. Excellent defense by larissa. Literally. Starts with a block deflection. Pops back over. April ross gets a chance of her own. Another larissa dig. Boom, off the head. April ross working it side to side. Talita from the left side. Wow. The americans had their chance in that rally. Could not put it away. Brazil off to a fast start. This is smk that has plagued fendrick and ross, slow starts. The last two matches for sure. Larissa crosscourt out. A rare hitting error by her. She has 65 career wins, fifth all timele and she is chasing down carolyn kirby, just three behind. And a cloud cover announced. A very roasty tournament in terms of not only sand temperature but air temp. Talita down the line and ross she pokes it. Did it hit the antenna . Yes, out of bounds. Tried to keep it in play but it hit the antenna. Look at april ross. Fullout pursuit. This ball sent to the net. Just goes out wide and thats the tough one. To april ross right. Chasing that ball wide. Brazilians advance to the final. In the International Bracket by beating the de23e7bding go inii medalisting medalistings ludwig and walkenhorst. And they live to tell about it. I feel like Lauren Fendrick has a slow start. A slow hitting errors. Thats a good one. Right down the line. She sneeds to stay aggressive against a strong defensive team. In another semifinal, the american drig, april ross and Lauren Fendrick defeats kelly claes and sara hughes to get to the semifinal. And now a serve to larissa and over the top. Americans were able to get a couple early points off larissa but right now settling in. First set, 94 brazil. 12, lariss is there. Everywhere. And crosscourt into the corner. Larissa, when she played with julian that, had 48 team wins. Shes played with a number of different partners. And has had great success. Shes won the world tour, seven titles. That means shes led the world tour with two different partners. She sees the court so well. She has power. She has es finesse. She touches early. And a nice finish in rio. Losing to Walsh Jennings and ross in the bronze med ad match. And all the pressure was on larissa talita. The entire countrys hopes for a gold was on them. 105. Trying to work their way into the match, get in the first set. And larissa puts it away. Her visor flies off. Were going to mark that off as the first time. That will happen a bunch of times today. Especially in the wind. I never noticed that. Visor off. I will keep you appraised so to speak. So its all brazil here at the moment. Larissa, so good. For so long. And ross down the line. Theres larissa again. And she pounds it. Right off fendricks head. Now, fendrick has a tendency to do a lot of split blocking. And leaves the alley way open. And if you can hit this, holly, youre going to get a facial. Or off the top of your head. Depends how hard are you jumping. And he duts things that normal blockers dont do and surprises the hitter. And right there with it. Good point. So a timeout on the sand. And the americans try to regroup. Larissa and talita, superlative early action. 2017 under way. We are midway through larissa talita, number one in the word. Sude and laboureu,is second. And duda is amazing. She is currently in brazil in the youth championship and she is just the future of the sport. She is unbelievable. Canadians have made Great Strides too. They are a threat and playing well. The american Beach Volleyball scene has been a little bit jumbled in terms of Partnership Since april ross and Kerri Walsh Jennings split up. Then it was a domino effect to get to other partners. To be honest with you, u. S. Volleyball, i feel like its transitions. We are going to get a huge influx of young, talented, hungry players and they are going to push the veterans. They will make the veterans bet interwhoever emerges will represent the u. S. In the next olympic games. Congratulations to kelly claes and sara hughes who won the bronze medal today. And thats going to be another point for ross and fendrick. Fendrick doing really good job at the net. Taking she is not trying to do too much. Getting her feet to the ball. Pushing over with her hands and really making april ross job easier. Now fendrick will serve it. Fendrick draws. Shes got the dig. Chance for a big point here. Stretching out. And she puts it away that was a heck of a hit. That is ten feet back. Ten feet back from the middle of the court with the wind to your back. She had enough power on the ball. Could not get her platform, her arms out to pick it up and take it in front. Now fendrick once again. Lar larissa on the right, talita on the left. And that shot is good. So first set action here at the world series of Beach Volleyball. The womens gold medal final. Brazil up by five. You wafail to make the varsity team. . Start your career as a walkon. Take a perfect team and blow a perfect season. Spend 108 years as, a lovable loser. Be on the wrong side of the biggest upset in your sport. You really wanna know the secret to victory . announcer heartbreak for matt ryan who is in utter disbelief. Defeat. Yeah alright, again. The world series of Beach Volleyball is brought to you by welcome back to alamidos beach in long beach. First, brazil lead it 127. The americans with a slow start. Now they rallied a bit and cut the lead. But still in trouble here. Remember, the first two sets to 21. Third set to 15. The great Talita Antunes and they are challenging fendrick. And larissa. Textbook. Larissas in the right spot. And beautiful control. You see a lot of dig but the control is fantastic. Lets check in with Ann Marie Anderson. I had a chance to speak with talita after the semifinal earlier today. And talita shared with us they made major adjustment to their partn partnership. They said were going to continue to play together. I need to go back to be with my husband. They spent much of the year practicing apart. I said, is that a problem . She said, no, i know her. She knows me and now we just have the good stuff. She was surprised that larissa and fts it is are still playing. Well, they found this arrangement that works great. Talita was living two years away from her husband. She said i need to do what makes he happy. I need to be with my husband in rio. And they found this arrange that and have success. They already know each others game. They havent changed much. And talita pops it down the line. Larissa back to serve. At 35, you would think shes in the twilight of her career. But a lot of people that jackcy silver is the greatest player. You know her very well. Where would you put larissa in comparison . They are all special. And larissa has not slowed down. Gut shot there. And larissa doing the limbo. There is a little bit of contract with fendrick but not much there. The ninth kill already for larissa. I love the way larissa approaches her jump. She jumps hard every time, no matter whether she is shooting, hitting and slices this ball up to the net. Fantastic from the right side. The americans Lauren Fendrick complaining that she came under. If you saw the feet were next to each other. She did come under the net but there was no interference. And larissa with root dig. And fendrick with the roof fantastic, hands over the net. I agree, in transition. And working all die for april ross and larissa controls it perfectly. Look it shes way over the net. For usa. Thats a play that crushed claes and hughes. They couldnt stop it but the brazilians have it scouted. I saw them watching film from the semifinals. Now april ross. You know she is one of the great servers in the world when healthy. And she spins that one out of bounds. World championships are coming up. Ross and fendrick for the United States. And a number of other teams including Walsh Jennings and Nicole Branagh. And getting im not sure why fendrick and ross take so long to get going but now theyre on the move. Good question. I cant figure it out but for some reason, they start slow. They need to resolve that. Against the best teams in the world, thats trouble. You get behind by five, its very difficult to come back. Larissa with a nice hand set. Sixtime ifvb. The International Federations best setter. We will look at la an a little holly mcpeak coming out. Look at that strength. And april ross taking a little bit of an early step defensively. Talita, the best female player on the beach who does not have an olympic medal. And ross goes into the corner. Talita has been frustrated. And again, the americans run that over on two offense when talita, the blocker, is the server. Shes still running up to the net. She cant get set. Smart play by the americans. Very effective. Now april ross. Crosscourt, talita. Another good set and talita is rejected. And Lauren Fendrick is there a better you might not know. Is there a better feeling in volleyball than to stuff one . Excuse me . I there is no better feeling and i felt it several times. Thank you, chris marlowe. For me, its extra special. In you can will, you won the national championship. Good memory. 1815 and the serve is a miss there. April ross trying to get her team going with that serve. It helped in the semifinal match. They havent been able to get that serve in the court. Wind is not a huge factor at the moment if youre wondering. Seems like it blows the same way. And ross, nice dig, talita, and she puts it away. Fantastic drop off. And talita, good control and the transition crosscourt. Brazils ball control is fantastic. Talita starts the net. Sees the set. Peels off. Gets her body turned around and larissa pushes her partner to the t i would love to caesar ra hughes do for kelly lease. Now the first set point for the brazilians. Ross. And that goes out of bounds and thats it for the first set. The brazilians come out humming. They win easily 2115. We will continue with our coverage. The world series of beach after this. Now the Dicks Sporting Goods tournament recap. That is Kerri Walsh Jennings playing with Nicole Branagh. She is an outstanding player, kerri walsh, still. And she took a year off and now shes back. Thats a challenge. They only played a handful of matches this year and they have been under iowa will the of pressure. They are just looking to get their groove debt getgetgetget rhythm. She says she feels 100 . Shes had right shoulder operation. She says its going to take time to get chemistry and knock the rust of them. I agree. I think keshry Walsh Jennings physically is the strongest i have ever seen her. She is muscular and strong. That is important. When youre older, you want to stay healthy. Great start, april ross starting the second set. I like that she choose to go from that corner into the wind. And an advantage in the dig contempt. Lauren did a good job blocking at the net. And a nice transition. April ross and Lauren Fendrick puts it away. Lauren fendrick does a good job. Gets her feet behind the ball and turns it down the line. Now april ross will try to serve semi into the wind here. Probably over to talita will be my guess. There it is. Ace again april ross is the boss of the service line at the moment. April ross did such a fantastic job, speshlsly from where she is serving crosscourt. Gives her the longest range. If im talita, i would step to my left and her her step over. You read my mind, partner. Here comes larissa. And its out of bounds. I think ross may have gotten that one had it been in. And signaling out. And a turn around from the first set. Le and got off to a fast start at 62. The United States is up 40. And it all started with april ross to start the second set. Larissa just wow. And now ross will try it again. She likes that. This to larissa. Can she score . Yes april ross. Larissa has seen enough. Shes calling a timeout and its almost late. Shes on fire. Well, early too. You dont want a team to get too many points ahead of you. Theyre up by five at the moment. And the United States, whatever they talked about in the huddle, seems to have worked. Maybe play more aggressively, holly. Yeah, i think the first set, the americans came out a little tentati tentative. Second set, nothing to lose, backs against the wall. Way better. April ross just raises the cut shot from larissa and in transition, able to put it away. And hard to talita, the blocker. I was reading the magazine, the bible of the Beach Volleyball circuit and they had an article about april ross and what she has gone through and how she is trying to move on from that. They were under a lot of pressure the last could years, a target on their back. They had to kerr ke kerri going for her fourth. And it was a fresh stasht for both of them. April ross and Lauren Fendrick. They scored five in a row. That is the nicest streak so far. Ross will try it again. Hits a rocket and that is out of bounds. And timeout did call that timeout. There is a technical timeout. Now, larissa crosscourt. Bad pass. Just like that, its 52. How difficult is it to play the ball well, that just close serve. And larissa really pops it. Really moves. You can track it. Dips and dives. Aside from that, april ross, a bomb adjuster and that is tough to pass. And talita will get the block there. The americans pointing to the bad side. And theyre having trouble controlling the first contact. Larissa is making the serve move. Look at this ball, rises up. And Lauren Fendrick had her platform out. And catches her high in the chest and that gets her in trouble. And serve a floater. You like it to be a knuckle ball and a baseball. And you zig and zag, and you serve the spinner, you want to use the heat. Nice, up. Larissa. That will be scooped over and talita now on the right side. Tight set. And talita shoves it through Lauren Fendrick. That ball was set tight to the net. Talita pushed it through. I dont know what Lauren Fendrick is complaining about. Well, youre not allowed to open hand. It has to be simultaneous contact at the net. That was simultaneous contact. Yeah, they are both okay. Yeah, they are both battling for that ball. The americans scored five in a row. Now the brazilians have reeled off four straight. The United States struggling. Fendrick, nice play there. Heads up. Tight to the net. Im surprised that ball dropped in front of larissa, she was there, not expecting the short one from fendrick. Larissa was able to get lauren out of system. Not a perfect pass, running, the set was coming from behind her which makes it more challenging. Fendrick serving into the net. Make it 65 now. We were at 50. Now talita. Ross on two. Dug, talita, nobody up and she puts it away. Talita, thats one of the best things she does. She is not a terrifically tall blocker but she retreats off the net. She can dig. She has dug a lot of balls after retreating off the net. This is a good one. Its on. She doesnt have a lot of time. She drops in the short angle, gets her hand up and boom, in transition. Good brazilian point. Its a 61 scoring run for the brazilians after the United States led 50. Fendrick. Out of bounds and now maybe the United States have to think about calling their timeout. They have given up seven of the last eight points. I agree. But they are only down by one. Mmhmm. And theres an authoritative dip. Lauren fendrick staying aggressive. They needed that. Going to the side we think is better. The americans on the right side, a little more wind in their face. If you have given up a bunch, you wouldnt call a timeout because youre in striking distance. Correct. You dont want a team to get too far ahead. This is where april ross had a lot of success serving this ball crosscourt. April ross, a celebrated player at usc, won a couple national championships. Partner Lauren Fendrick from ucla. Unlikely partner, you would think, given that and talita flies it out of bounds. So that was a knock on talita, all throughout her career, that in big moments, she could sail one orp hit it out of bounds. But overall, shes been pretty consistent. 33 career wins. Cant tell if she was going for a fingertip or a back line. Didnt get Lauren Fendrick. Not enough. Now, ross, back on top. 87. And ross into the net. Larissa standing forward. Fendrick. Nice play thats a play, you think the brazilians 90 would score on that. Buff they didnt. Lauren fendrick staying really aggressive. Hard swing. Deep middle. Such a great shot. She is staying really aggressive and that is key for the u. S. Right now. Americans have five service errors, which hampered their cause. And that time, talita has been pretty good. You mentioned, brazilian volleyball, so men women and men in the tournament. Theres a great volleyballleb tradition in brazil. Ross on two. And hit it to larissa and larissa pounds it down the line. You have to keep it away from her. Yeah, thats the thing. You have to keep it awra from larissa. She is right in the perfect spot and theyre not going over to talita. Brazil 10, the United States 9. They also won the first set. Ross and ross tomahawks it straight down. April ross, wow. From the right side, gets her feet to the ball. I dont care what area of the court youre blocking. You need to be on the ball and reaching over. Talitas push over the net is a little more. And she is able to go over the top. Ross a silver and bronze medicinal. Missed the beijing olympics. The third American Team behind kerri and branagh and across court and theres a timeout. Coming back to the sand. World series of Beach Volleyball. The americans have some work to do. Theyre trailing here in the second set by one. Strummed guitar you cant experience the Canadian Rockies through a screen. You have to be here, with us. Strummed guitar travel through this natural wonder and get a glimpse of amazing. With a glass of wine in one hand, and a camera in the other, aboard rocky mountaineer. Canadas Rocky Mountains await. Call your travel agent or rocky mountaineer for special offers now. Now for a look at what is happening around the e veanvent. This is an extravaganza. Its a beach festival. The sponsor activities are so much fun. There is something to do. Teaching the young kids. The mvl is playing a tournament. The kids are watching, cheering, enjoying. Huge crowd today on hand. Beach bash presented by otter pop. I could use an otter pop about right now. I was just thinking that. Can we have an otter pop delivered please . And how do you fix that . You want to get your platform out as soon as possible and track that ball. But the brazilians getting a lot of movement on that serve. Theres good wind gusting through from a couple open portals. Talita. Crosscourt. Perfect. April ross has been running and digging over the line shot. From the left side, too many catchups. And this is one of talitas best shots from the left. She has 11 kills and a wrist away shot. You can their effectively. If youre looking at the players, theyre facing and you then she cuts the it. Part of the scene here at the world series of Beach Volleyball. The fifth annual competition. Ooh. And fendrick wow. Took the play to the brazilians was for the blocker talita to take the angle and lead the line. Unless the ball sets really well, its hard to hammer the ball like that. And perfect set from april ross and Lauren Fendrick just gives on top of that. Larissa is a little surprised. If youre just joining us, capacity crowd here in long beach, brazil and the United States. Brazil leading one set. And tied here 1212 in set number two. Talita, and ross back over. And lar to make them pay . Yes. Good job. Ball control every time larissa touches the ball, she batters it. Its just so impressive. Now a little serve. And shes in to the net. Larissa and talita, earlier Ann Marie Anderson mentioned it, the separation, talita living in rio with her husband and larissa, its been refreshing for her relationship. And i said, have you changed anything on the court . And she said, no, we looked forward to getting together on the court. Its all the good things, its not traveling together and living together. Larissa, sometimes she can wear partners out even though they stick with her. She is in command of this team. If you cant take it, then youre gone. Other wise you stay with her a long time because she is so talented. And talita puts it through. Lets check in with anne Marie Anderson. Yeah, and on the same tension. Look, i know she caught up. The break they had, two months apart. January, was refreshing and she is able to come back and say, i miss you. There is not tension in the daytoday relationship. She said its just the good things we have left. And a beautiful block by talita. Thats one of the good things for larissa having that big block in front of her. Larissa and talita have had so much success together. They do not have an olympic medal but wow, they are the best in the world right now. You know what im thinking, holly. I played ten yeerps on the beach and i never had a partner say on the beach, i miss you. I miss you, friend. When im not with you, i miss you, chris. There you go. And a timeout here. So the United States saving its timeout until a little later in a heated match. Because they are down by two at 1614. I like that timeout. You dont want your girls to get too far ahead. Were getting towards the end of the second set. Stop the momentum. Doing what you need to do to go a timeout here. The brazilians, number one seeded in the tournament. The americans, the fifth seed. And its been a little bit of a struggle together for ross and fendrick. And the semifinal, tries to bounce back against a terrific volleyball team. We talked about it earlier. The results on the world tour for fendrick and ross have not been special. Ninth in rmoscow. 17th this is the best thing together internationally. They are a new team trying to find their rhythm and i think weve seen good things from them. Absolutely. And remember, april has the toe. So here we go. Fendrick, got it. That was a mustpoint for the United States there. April ross is really good job when usa is out of system, the pass is in front. She pushes that ball up to center. Yeah. Very good centering and you were mentioning things that make her a good partner. I think setting is number one. You want a partner who can set you the ball. Shank pass and talita puts it away. Are you kidding me . Did you see that . Larissa runs down that ball, one arm, pops it up and talita is able to kill that ball for brazil. I mean thats special. That kind of ball control. Starts with a bomb a adjuster b april ross crosscourt. Talita platforms out. Goes a little errant but larissa puts her Running Shoes on. One arm. The control is amazing. Tough chance there from fendrick. Not expecting that. Now 1715. Good pass. And fendrick is wide. So brazil gets another point. Brazilians have been babying Lauren Fendrick to hit that hard line. Shes done it a couple times. That time, did not get on top of it. The brazilians get the point. Fendrick, receiving 26 of 27. Larissas got the dig. And shes got the touch. And over on two offense is not working against the brazilian, larissa in that cutback position. Talita blocking the angle. And they have a good plan for that, do they not . Yeah, they definitely neutralized it. The United States trying to slow down the action. And ross fights the sunglasses. Still a chance here. Its 1915. But and larissa high over line in transition. That scouting that that really worked prior to the final. Fendrick, dug again. Larissa on the run. Nice up, april ross and ross sizzle lgs it down the line big time kill by april ross. She was inside off the net. Power down the line. And the comeback in the end of the second set. They got the wind of their backs. Turns it down the line, away from talita. Americans trail lg by three in a set to 21. And a twohand shot to larissa, magician. And that really just freezes the knee bends that she shoots it over, 12. And now the first match point, championship point if you like. Nobody home there. And you wouldnt expect it. Looks like she is going to run the back set, the advantage of the hamstring. Here we go, 2016. Over to fendrick. Blocked. Ross. Got it. So one championship point averted. For the americans, their best server on the line. Wind at her back. Hard to be as aggressive from that side. Second championship point for the brazilians. This would be it right here. H holy talita. This one is over. The brazilians have won the world series of Beach Volleyball impressive performance, great ball control. The brazilians were able to neutralize that on to attack by april ross. So the celebration begins. The Number One Team in the world, Larissa Franca and Talita Antunes, they win the gold. Welcome back to the world series of Beach Volleyball. Big day for the people from brazil. They big the gold medal be a big hug. The gold medal and the big prize money. Lets head down to the sand. Anne Marie Anderson is with the winners. You told me this tournament is always special to you. You always put it on the calendar when you can. What is it about this tournament that speaks to you and allows to you win like this . Yes. You see the crowds, you see the vibe inside the courts. So we are so happy when we are here playoffing. Theres a lot of stuff about how it feels. Im so happy. Nice to be here again. Larissa, what is it that allowed to you dominate this tournament . The two of you went through your opposition, just very dominant. What is the key . This tournament is very special. A lot of people. They all are here and brazil its special because its we play all time together. This week, we talk about the players and we play together and we know about the energy and the other teams are very strong. Le with us, and ross, all all a time i think this is the best. Congratulations, you are the champions. Thank you. Its a beautiful thing. A gold medal. And splitting a check for 50,000. Well be back to wrap it up here in long beach after this. You wafail to make the varsity team. . Start your career as a walkon. Take a perfect team and blow a perfect season. Spend 108 years as, a lovable loser. Be on the wrong side of the biggest upset in your sport. You really wanna know the secret to victory . announcer heartbreak for matt ryan who is in utter disbelief. Defeat. Yeah alright, again. The world series of Beach Volleyball is brought to you by brazilians larissa and talita show why they are the Number One Team in the world. They win the gold here in long beach. The 65th win for larissa, the 34th win for talita and their 16th win together. Hope you enjoyed the coverage today. Reminder, tomorrow the world series of volleyball continue tomorrow on espn2. Until then, for holly mcpeak and Ann Marie Anderson, im chris marlowe. The beach is closed. Strummed guitar you cant experience the Canadian Rockies through a screen. You have to be here, with us. Strummed guitar travel through this natural wonder and get a glimpse of amazing. With a glass of wine in one hand, and a camera in the other, aboard rocky mountaineer. Canadas Rocky Mountains await. Call your travel agent or rocky mountaineer for special offers now. Narrator on todays outback adventures, we hit the high seas. Tim were looking for one of the oceans largest predators. Narrator get up close to a spectacular raptor. Tim what a bird. Narrator and tim climbs in the water with great whites. Tim they come out of nowhere and theyre so big. Tim im tim faulkner. Australia is my home and animals of every shape and size are my life. I wear lots of hats as an animal expert. Look at that. Look at this guy. Just awesome. Join me on this spectacular journey on todays outback adventure. Tim im on the trail of an endangered species this morning. But this one isnt the cute and cuddly kind