Saturday, August 23, 2000
Beach Volleyball News Online

Americans spiked

Australia's Nathalie Cook, right, is hugged by her teammate Kerri-Ann Pottharst after they won their semi-final match against Brazil at Bondi Beach. Picture: Kieran Doherty/Reuters

There was a surprise in the beach volleyball when both American teams crashed out, leaving Australia and Brazil to contest the final. Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst of Australia will take on Andriana Behar and Shelde Bede. It's Bondi v Copacabana.

Japan administered America's first defeat in the quarter-finals when Yukiko Takahashi and Teru Saiki beat Jenny Johnson Jordan and Annett Davis 15-7 - the first loss by the US women in the tournament and the first US team, men or women, to be eliminated from the competition. The second were close behind when America's quixotically named pairing of Holly McPeak and Misty May lost 16-14 to Brazil's Sandra Pires and Adriana Samuel.

PETER WATTS
Sunday Times