USA's May/Walsh settle for bronze medal in Greece

by Paul Soriano USA Volleyball Manager, Public Relations & Publications

Americans Misty May and Kerri Walsh captured the bronze medal at the Women's Hellas Open on Sunday in the opening event on the 2003 SWATCH-FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour in front of a packed stadium on the holiday island of Rhodes.

May/Walsh, the 2002 World Tour champions and winners of five international gold medals last season, defeated Tamara Larrea Peraza and Dalixia Fernandez Grasset of Cuba, 21-15, 25-23, in the battle for third place.

May and Walsh were relegated to the bronze-medal match by eventual gold medallists Ana Paula Connelly and Sandra Pires Tavares of Brazil, who beat the USA tandem in straight sets in the semifinals, 21-14, 21-19.

In fact, the Brazilians provided both teams in the final of the event held in front of Rhodes's beautiful and historic town hall. The gold went to the Ana Paula and Sandra Pires when they defeated compatriots Adriana Brandao Behar and Shelda Kelly Bruno Bede in a tense final.

The new Brazilian pair fought from a set down to secure the $22,000 winner's check with a 21-23, 21-19, 15-12 victory.

Adriana Behar and Shelda defeated the Cuban duo of Larrea Peraza and Fernandez Grasset, 21-11, 23-21, in the other semifinal to set up the all-Brazilian final.

For more information, go to the USA Volleyball web site.