Women’s beach volleyball semifinals

Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor play against China’s Xue Chen and Zhang Xi.  (Brian Peterson / Minneapolis Star Tribune / MCT)

Misty May-Treanor of the United States tries to make a diving save.  (Brian Peterson / Minneapolis Star Tribune / MCT)

Kerri Walsh Jennings of the United States blocks a shot by Chen Xue.  (Brian Peterson / Minneapolis Star Tribune / MCT)

With a dramatic victory over China in the semifinals, Kerri Walsh Jennings and Misty May-Treanor inched closer to their third straight beach volleyball gold medal.  (Brian Peterson / Minneapolis Star Tribune / MCT)

April Ross of the United States sets a ball during the semifinal beach volleyball match against Brazil.  (Petr David Josek / Associated Press)

United States’ Jennifer Kessy looks to hit the ball against Brazil.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Larissa Franca of Brazil returns the ball against the United States.  (Dave Martin / Associated Press)

Jennifer Kessy, foreground, and April Ross fall to the sand as they defeat Brazil.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

United States’ teammates Jennifer Kessy, foreground, and April Ross embrace after defeating Brazil to move on to the women’s beach volleyball final.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)