April Ross, right, gets a spike past Cuba’s Lidianny Echevarria Benitez during their Round of 16 beach volleyball match at the Tokyo Olympics on Monday (Sunday PT). (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
April Ross, of the United States, returns a shot 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)
Lidianny Echevarria Benitez, of Cuba, dives for the ball during a women’s beach volleyball match against the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
April Ross, of the United States, warms up prior to a women’s beach volleyball match against Cuba at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Lidianny Echevarria Benitez, right, of Cuba, takes a shot as Alix Klineman, of the United States, defends during a women’s beach volleyball match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
April Ross, of the United States, returns a shot 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)
April Ross, right, of the United States, returns a shot as teammate Alix Klineman watches 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)
Alix Klineman, of the United States, reacts to a play 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)
Lidianny Echevarria Benitez, of Cuba, returns a shot 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)
Alix Klineman, of the United States, prepares to serve 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)
Lidianny Echevarria Benitez, right, of Cuba, talks with teammate Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega, during a women’s beach volleyball match against the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
April Ross, of the United States, stretches for the ball 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)
Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega, right, of Cuba, takes a shot as April Ross, of the United States, defends during a women’s beach volleyball match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega, right, of Cuba, takes a shot as April Ross, of the United States, defends during a women’s beach volleyball match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Alix Klineman, of the United States, reacts to a play 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)
Lidianny Echevarria Benitez, of Cuba, jumps high for the ball during a women’s beach volleyball match against the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Lidianny Echevarria Benitez, of Cuba, watches a ball pass by 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)
April Ross, of the United States, returns a shot 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)
Alix Klineman, of the United States, gets a shot past Lidianny Echevarria Benitez, of Cuba, during a women’s beach volleyball match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
April Ross, left, of the United States, reacts with 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)
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)
Cuba’s Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega spikes the ball in their women’s beach volleyball round of 16 match between Cuba and the USA during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park in Tokyo on August 2, 2021. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
April Ross, right, of the United States, gets a shot past Lidianny Echevarria Benitez, of Cuba, during a women’s beach volleyball match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Alix Klineman, of the United States, reacts to a play 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)
April Ross, right of the United States, and teammate Alix Klineman, left, wave to Lidianny Echevarria Benitez, center, of Cuba, After they won a women’s beach volleyball match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Cuba’s Lidianny Echevarria Benitez runs after the ball in their women’s beach volleyball round of 16 match between Cuba and the USA during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park in Tokyo on August 2, 2021. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
April Ross, right of the United States, and teammate Alix Klineman, left, wave to the stands after they won a women’s beach volleyball match against Cuba at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Monday, Aug. 2, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States returns the ball against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
USA’s April Ross (L) hugs partner Alix Klineman in their women’s beach volleyball round of 16 match between Cuba and the USA during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park in Tokyo on August 2, 2021. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Alix Klineman #2 of Team United States strikes against Lidianny Echevarria Benitez #1 of Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
USA’s April Ross celebrates winning their women’s beach volleyball round of 16 match between Cuba and the USA during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park in Tokyo on August 2, 2021. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: A detail view of Team United States branded KT Tape worn by April Ross #1 against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball match against Team Cuba on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States dives for the ball against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States dives for the ball against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
USA’s April Ross (L) talks to partner Alix Klineman in their women’s beach volleyball round of 16 match between Cuba and the USA during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park in Tokyo on August 2, 2021. (Photo by Daniel LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba strikes against Alix Klineman #2 of Team United States during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States serves against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States hits against Lidianny Echevarria Benitez #1 of Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Alix Klineman #2 of Team United States and April Ross #1 celebrate against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States returns the ball against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States and Alix Klineman #2 celebrate after defeating Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba strikes against Alix Klineman #2 of Team United States during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States reacts after the play against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States strikes against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States and Alix Klineman #2 celebrate after the play against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Alix Klineman #2 of Team United States blocks the strike by Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States strikes against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States strikes against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba dives for the ball against Team United States during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba attempts to return the ball against Team United States during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Alix Klineman #2 of Team United States defends against the hit by Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Alix Klineman #2 of Team United States celebrates after blocking the hit by Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba hits past Alix Klineman #2 of Team United States during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States returns the ball against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: A detail view of Team United States branded KT Tape worn by Alix Klineman #2 of Team United States against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball match on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba dives for the ball against Team United States during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States looks on against Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: April Ross #1 of Team United States celebrates after defeating Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba attempts to return the ball against Team United States during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN – AUGUST 02: Alix Klineman #2 of Team United States celebrates after blocking the hit by Leila Consuelo Martinez Ortega #2 of Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Lidianny Echevarria Benitez #1 of Team Cuba reacts after losing to Team United States during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Alix Klineman of Team United States celebrates after defeating Team Cuba during the Women’s Round of 16 beach volleyball on day ten of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Shiokaze Park on August 02, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
TOKYO — April Ross and Alix Klineman put away a Cuban team they had never played before.
Next up for the Americans is one of the most familiar faces in all of beach volleyball: Four-time Olympian – and defending gold medalist – Laura Ludwig.
Second-seeded Ross and Klineman beat Cuba’s Lidy Echeverria and Leila Martinez, 21-17, 21-15 in their Round of 16 match on Monday (Sunday PT) to reach the quarterfinals, where they will meet the German and her current partner, Maggie Kozuch.
Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst won it all in Rio de Janeiro, where Ross and Kerri Walsh Jennings took the bronze.
“We have a lot of respect for them and, obviously, Laura’s success,” said Klineman, a former Mira Costa High and Stanford star who also played against Kozuch on the Italian indoor volleyball tour. “We know they’re going to come out motivated. As are we.”
Asked how many times she had played against the 35-year-old Ludwig over the years, the 39-year-old Ross said “a lot. A lot.” According to the Beach Volleyball Database, Ross and her partners are 20-8 over the years against Ludwig and hers; they did not meet in London or Rio.
One day after two U.S. teams (Kelly Claes and Sarah Sponcil and Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena) were eliminated in the round of 16, Ross (Newport Harbor High, USC) and Klineman beat Echeverria and Martinez to keep the Americans’ best medal hopes alive.
After losing the first set, Cuba took a 6-1 lead in the second and still led 9-5 when the Americans cut the deficit to two. Then, at 9-7, Echeverria landed under the net after chasing a ball, and Klineman landed on top of her.
Cuba was initially awarded the point, but the Americans complained to chair referee Rui Carvalho that there was interference; he conferred with second referee Mariko Satomi, and they gave the point to the Americans.
“It’s just people going for the ball, and she came under,” said Klineman, a first-time Olympian. “We got the point, and I got a little fired up and we used that for some momentum going forward. But, you know, no hard feelings. I think we’re both just trying to make a play.”
Instead of a 10-7 Cuban lead, it was 9-8.
And Echeverria was slow to get up. After a few minutes on the sand with her partner tending to her, she got up and tested her knee.
“Once we knew that she was a little bit hurt, we were trying to allow her to gather herself,” said Ross, who won a silver medal with Jennifer Kessy at the 2012 Games in London.
The match continued, but not for much longer.
“Obviously, I don’t want to see anybody injured,” Klineman said, “especially at the Olympics.”
In other matches, top-seeded Sarah Pavan and Melissa Humana-Paredes of Canada beat Spain in straight sets.
The other American men’s team, 45-year-old Huntington Beach resident Jake Gibb and Tri Bourne (USC), was scheduled to face Germans Clemens Wickler and Julius Thole in a Round of 16 match on Monday at 6 a.m. PT.
