Laura Ludwig
FILE - In this June 18, 2021, file photo, Ryan Crouser competes during the prelims of men's shot put at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials in Eugene, Ore. A simple question of describing their track and field craft led to some creative comparisons that might help the casual track fan better understand precisely what they do at the Tokyo Games. Shot put world record holder Crouser summarized what he does for a living with an illustration. He said his event was the equivalent of picking up the heaviest bowling ball and trying to throw it the length of a basketball court. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)
World record may be broken in shot put on Day 12 of Olympics

By Jenna Fryer Aug. 03, 2021 12:01 PM EDT

April Ross, of the United States, celebrates winning a women's beach volleyball match against Germany at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Third-timer, Old-timer: Ross still strong on Olympic beach

By Jimmy Golen Aug. 02, 2021 11:13 PM EDT

Daiki Hashimoto, of Japan, performs on the horizontal bar during the artistic gymnastics men's apparatus final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Olympics Latest: Women's semifinals set in beach volleyball

Aug. 02, 2021 09:09 PM EDT

Jade Carey, of the United States, performs on the floor during the artistic gymnastics women's apparatus final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
US women lose in soccer, win in volleyball, basketball

By Josh Dubow Aug. 02, 2021 07:37 AM EDT

April Ross, left, of the United States, hugs teammate Alix Klineman during a women's beach volleyball match against Cuba at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Ross, Klineman advance to face reigning beach queen Ludwig

By Jimmy Golen Aug. 01, 2021 10:48 PM EDT

Tina Graudina, left, of Latvia, celebrates a point with teammate Anastasija Kravcenoka during a women's beach volleyball match against the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 26, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)
Olympic beach volleyball puts college stars on display

By Jimmy Golen Jul. 25, 2021 10:53 PM EDT

Athletes from Germany left, and Latvia, right, play beach volleyball ahead of the 2020 Summer Olympics, on Thursday, July 22, 2021, at Shiokaze Park, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Canceled party: Scrubbed match silences Olympic beach venue

By Jimmy Golen Jul. 24, 2021 12:38 AM EDT

This 2020, photo provided by the Association of Volleyball Professionals shows Sarah Sponcil, left, and Kelly Claes during an interview at the AVP Champions Cup in Long Beach, Calif. The Americans are part of the first generation of college beach volleyball players to reach the Olympics. At 24 and 25, they are the youngest U.S. beach team ever to qualify for the Summer Games. (Mpu Dinani/AVP via AP)
For new generation of Olympians, path was through NCAA beach

By Jimmy Golen Jul. 11, 2021 11:39 AM EDT

FILE - In this Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2012, file photo, Kerri Walsh Jennings sets the ball during the women's Gold medal beach volleyball match between two United States teams at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. For two decades, no one loomed larger in beach volleyball than five-time Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings. But when the Summer Games begin in Tokyo this month, she won't be there. The 42-year-old Californian known as “Six Feet of Sunshine” was foiled in her attempt to make a sixth Summer Games. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)
With Walsh Jennings out, new generation hits the beach

By Jimmy Golen Jul. 01, 2021 01:37 PM EDT

Old names, new teams highlight Tokyo beach volleyball field

By The Associated Press Jul. 01, 2021 01:01 PM EDT
TOKYO (AP) — HIGHLIGHTS FROM RIO: When Germans Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst took gold in 2016, they had to ask the bronze medal-winner what to do on the...