LONDON -- In their first Olympics, April Ross and Jennifer Kessy will play for the gold medal in an all-American beach volleyball final.

In their final Olympics together, Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor are playing for something more.

"We want to seal the deal that we're the best team that's ever happened," Walsh Jennings said Tuesday night after they advanced to their third consecutive Olympic gold medal game with a 22-20, 22-20 victory over China. "Misty has changed my life. I just love her. I want to win tomorrow for us."

A few hours later, Kessy and Ross beat the top-seeded Brazilians in a persistent rain to join their fellow Californians in Wednesday night's final. Ross and Kessy rallied from a first-set loss and a four-point deficit in the second to beat reigning world champions Juliana and Larissa 15-21, 21-19, 15-12.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

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  • Beam Backflip

    China's gymnast Sui Lu performs during the women' s beam final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. (Photo credit EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/GettyImages)

  • High Jump Shot

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Angel McCoughtry of the United States lays the ball up during the Women's Basketball quaterfinal between Canada and the United States on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

  • Balancing Act

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Zhe Feng of China competes on the parrallel bars during the Artistic Gymnastics Men's Parallel Bars final on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at North Greenwich Arena on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

  • Perfect Form

    Italy's Giulia Lapi and Italy's Mariangela Perrupato compete in the duets free routine final during the synchronised swimming competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 in London. (Photo credit MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Mid-Jump

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Phillips Idowu of Great Britain competes in the Men's Triple Jump Qualification on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

  • Jumping For Joy

    US Misty May-Treanor, left, and Kerri Walsh Jennings celebrate after defeating China in their semifinal women's beach volleyball match at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

  • Bump, Set...

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Lei Zhang #17 of China passes the ball in the first set against Japan during Women's Volleyball on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Earls Court on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

  • It's A Toss-Up

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Natalie Achonwa of Canada lays the ball up during the Women's Basketball quaterfinal between Canada and the United States on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

  • Spirit Fingers

    US gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs during the women's beam final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. (Photo credit EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/GettyImages)

  • And They're Off!

    Athletes dive at the start of the men's triathlon event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 in London. (Photo credit FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Losing His Footing

    Lithuania's Edgaras Venckaitis is lifted off the mat by Kazakhstan's Darkhan Bayakhmetov (in blue) during their match in 66-kg Greco-Roman wrestling competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

  • Before The Fall

    China's Liu Xiang, second left, falls as Hungary's Balazs Baji, left, and Poland's Artur Noga, right, react during a men's 110-meter hurdles heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

  • With A Flourish

    Silver medalists Ona Carbonell Ballestero and Andrea Fuentes Fache from Spain compete during the women's duet synchronized swimming final at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn)

  • China's Form

    China's gymnast Sui Lu performs during the women's beam final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Faces Of Determination

    Canada's Kim Smith, left, and USA's Tamika Catchings (10) chase a loose ball during a quarterfinal women's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Wave To The Crowd

    France's Chloe Willhelm and France's Sara Labrousse compete in the duets free routine final during the synchronised swimming competition at the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 in London. (Photo credit MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Treated Like A King

    WEYMOUTH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Nick Dempsey of Great Britain is carried onshore on his windsurf board by Team GB team mates after winning the silver medal in the RS:X Men's Sailing on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Weymouth & Portland Venue at Weymouth Harbour on August 7, 2012 in Weymouth, England. (Photo by Getty Images)

  • Fallen Hurdler

    China's Liu Xiang reacts after falling in a men's 110-meter hurdles heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

  • Synchronized Routine

    Canada's Marie-Pier Boudrreau Gagnon, front, and Elise Marcotte start their routine during the women's duet synchronized swimming free routine at the Aquatics Centre in the Olympic Park during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Monday, Aug. 6, 2012. The pair finished in fourth place. (AP) Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz)

  • France's Performance

    France's gymnast Hamilton Sabot performs to win bronze in the men's parallel bars competition of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. (Photo credit THOMAS COEX/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Silver Reaction

    Spain's Javier Gomez reacts after winning the silver medal in the men's triathlon at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • Bolt In The Mix

    Jamaica's Usain Bolt, center, leads in a men's 200-meter heat during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

  • Victory!

    US Misty May-Treanor celebrates after defeating China in the semifinal women's beach volleyball match at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

  • At The Start

    Spain's Javier Gomez dives into the water for the start of the men's triathlon at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

  • Gold Medal

    Spain's Marina Alabau celebrates after winning the rs:x women gold medal at the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in Weymouth and Portland, England. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)

  • Preparing To Throw

    United States' Rachel Yurkovich competes in a women's javelin throw qualification round during the athletics in the Olympic Stadium at the 2012 Summer Olympics, London, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

  • Splish Splash

    WINDSOR, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Josefa Idem of Italy competes during the Women's Kayak Single (K1) 500m Sprint Semi Finals on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Eton Dorney on August 7, 2012 in Windsor, England. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

  • Gabby's Performance

    US gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs during the women's beam final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. (Photo credit EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Taking A Knee

    Czech Republic's David Vala reacts after his match against Cuba's Yunior Estrada Falcon in 96-kg Greco-Roman wrestling competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

  • Ready With The Block

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Yukiko Ebata #16 of Japan spikes the ball as Lei Zhang #17 of China blocks during Women's Volleyball on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Earls Court on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

  • Quick Hands

    Japan's gymnast Yusuke Tanaka performs during the men's parallel bars final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. (Photo credit EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Pointed Toes

    China's gymnast Sui Lu performs during the women' s beam final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. (Photo credit EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/GettyImages)

  • U.S. Dodges

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Diana Taurasi #12 of United States drives the ball past Shona Thorburn #6 of Canada during the Women's Basketball quaterfinal on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Basketball Arena on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

  • Running Partners

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Hirokatsu Tayama of Japan competes in running portion of the Men's Triathlon on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Hyde Park on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

  • Golden Victory

    WEYMOUTH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Dorian Van Rijsselberge of Netherlands celebrates after winning gold in the Men's RS:X Sailing on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Weymouth & Portland Venue at Weymouth Harbour on August 7, 2012 in Weymouth, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

  • Injury On The Court

    Croatia's rightback Andrea Penezic reacts after a fall during the women's quarter-final handball match Spain vs Croatia for the London 2012 Olympics Games on August 7, 2012 at the Copper Box hall in London. (Photo credit JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Mid-Air Action

    Spain's Javier Illana Garcia competes in the men's 3m springboard semi-finals during the diving event at the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 in London. (Photo credit MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Parallel Performance

    Chinese gymnast Feng Zhe performs on the parallel bars during the artistic gymnastics men's apparatus finals at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

  • Bended Back

    China's gymnast Deng Linlin performs during the women' s beam final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. (Photo credit EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Spain's Gold

    Marina Alabau Neira of Spain celebrates after winning the gold medal in the women's RS-X class race at the London 2012 Olympic Games, in Weymouth on August 7, 2012. (Photo credit WILLIAM WEST/AFP/GettyImages)

  • In Training

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Shanaze Reade of Great Britain trains on the BMX track in Olympic Park on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)

  • Taking The Shortcut

    WEYMOUTH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Nick Dempsey of Great Britain swims onshore to the Nothe spectator area to greet friends and family after winning silver in the Men's RS:X Sailing on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Weymouth & Portland Venue at Weymouth Harbour on August 7, 2012 in Weymouth, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

  • Straight-Legged

    LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Alexandra Raisman of the United States competes on the beam during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Beam final on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at North Greenwich Arena on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

  • Gold Celebration

    WEYMOUTH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Dorian Van Rijsselberge of Netherlands celebrates after winning gold in the Men's RS:X Sailing on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at the Weymouth & Portland Venue at Weymouth Harbour on August 7, 2012 in Weymouth, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

  • Just In Time

    Croatia's goalkeeper Ivana Jelcic tries to make a save during the women's quarter-final handball match Spain vs Croatia for the London 2012 Olympics Games on August 7, 2012 at the Copper Box hall in London. Spain won 25-22. (Photo credit JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Try, Try Again

    Costa Rica's Leonardo gets on his bike following a crash during the men's triathlon at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, Pool)

  • Dancing Diva

    US gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs during the women' s beam final of the artistic gymnastics event of the London Olympic Games on August 7, 2012 at the 02 North Greenwich Arena in London. (Photo credit EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Czech Republic Vs. Cuba

    Czech Republic's David Vala competes against Cuba's Yunior Estrada Falcon (in blue) during their match in 96-kg Greco-Roman wrestling competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

  • Germany In The Finals

    German gymnast Marcel Nyugen performs on the parallel bars during the artistic gymnastics men's apparatus finals at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

  • Going For The Steal

    USA's Tamika Catchings, right, reaches around for a steal against Canada's Krista Phillips during a women's basketball game at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

  • Mid-Air Pose

    Chinese gymnast Feng Zhe performs on the parallel bars during the artistic gymnastics men's apparatus finals at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)


The Brazilians will play China's Xue Chen and Zhang Xi, who are trying to repeat their bronze medal finish from Beijing.

Despite a medal shutout by the American men, the United States has clinched multiple beach volleyball medals for the fourth time in five Olympiads since it became a recognized sport in 1996.

Already the most-decorated team in the brief history of Olympic beach volleyball, Walsh Jennings and May-Treanor are guaranteed at least a silver medal. No one - man or woman - had ever won two beach volleyball gold medals before they became repeat champions in Beijing, and until now, no woman had won three Olympic medals of any color.

"I had a picture in my head at the beginning of the season of how I wanted us to play, and we're living that picture," Walsh Jennings said. "But it's not over yet."

Earlier Tuesday, Brazil's Emanuel and Alison defeated Latvia to advance to the men's gold medal game. They will meet the winner of the last match, between the Netherlands and Germany.

Walsh Jennings and May-Treanor won gold medals in Athens and Beijing without ever losing a match - in their first two Olympics, they never even lost a set - and they ran their unbeaten streak to 20 in a row with a victory Tuesday. But they gave up the first three points of the semifinal and fell behind 13-7 in the first set.

China saved two set points before Xue put one into the net tape to give the first set to the Americans.

The Americans held a slim lead most of the second, but China took the lead 17-16 and forced the Americans to take a timeout. Trailing 19-18, May-Treanor ran far behind the end line to retrieve an errant pass and bumped it toward the net - too close - forcing Walsh Jennings to slide under the net, delicately bumping the ball over and to an unoccupied area on the Chinese portion of the court.

"They're a great team. They make you do crazy stuff like that," Walsh Jennings said. "That was just funky. Misty ran down the ball and I think I got a little lucky on that one. But you need luck and I think you create your own luck, and that's what you get when you don't give up. But I can't take real credit for that. That's not skill."

The Americans saved one set point, but May-Treanor fisted one to the back line to set up a match point, then Walsh Jennings' block fell to the sand and she leapt into the air to celebrate.

In the early men's semifinal, the reigning world champions from Brazil beat Martins Plavins and Janis Smedins 21-15, 22-20 to clinch no worse than silver. It is Emanuel's third straight medal, but a first for Alison.

"I have been dreaming about this since I was a child," Alison said. "Today I can finally say I am an Olympic athlete with a medal. But I am still dreaming about the gold."

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