Kira Walkenhorst
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

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...