Ana Patrícia/Duda vs. Cruz/Brasher - Gold Match Highlights | João Pessoa 2026 #BeachProTour

And it is just exciting time, beach volleyball fans, that this beach volleyball is back. 2026 season is here, just our second event of the year. We had a challenge and it was number one versus number two. Not often do you see that in the finals, but this is it. The number two seeds, Darren Brasher and Kristen Cruz from the United States taking on women's gold, Brazil in green, United States in red and the dig leader starting with a dig already. And then how about that? The hand set to shoot. Short serve to Brasher, nice roll up from Cruz. Duda jumbo, getting Cruz. Get that. She's looking for like laid down spike. Just wasn't there. Well played Duda. Over angle that low pass. No problem for Cruz as Brasher goes. And you could see already just be a field thing here and see who's going to give away a couple of points. Too good, just too good for Duda. Kristen, tiny bit late going into it and Duda so sharp. Brasher to the lines, going to catch that sideline. No problem there. Patricia and Duda since the Paris gold medal. They've had semifinals. They've had five third place finishes last season. They didn't make one final, so fade away set is beautiful. And how does she know? It's the peripheral vision kicking in, but it's keeping the ball in front of you just before she takes off. Understanding exactly what's possible. Nice short serve. Too good, Cruz, the fade away Cuddy drops in front of Duda. Duda's going to poke. Nice pick up from Brasher. Tomahawk over on one, just gifting it back to Cruz. Good effort, but that is a mental mistake from Duda. It certainly is. There's no way that she should be trying to tomahawk Kristen and not get it. Good delay. Brasher knows that Anna Patricia loves that short pokeback, especially early in game, she uses that. And a few errors creeping into Anna Patricia's game. 116 serves to Duda versus 62 to Anna Patricia throughout the course of the tournament. So almost, well, almost twice as many to Duda. Kristen Cruz kind of climbing up the ladder there. One up the middle, trouble for Brazil. A little hesitation from both Brazilian players to be prepared to pass that one. Duda overhead. She's going to be adapting quickly. Beautiful option from Brasher. I'd love to see her continue to establish that early. The ball control of Kristen is so good. So anything that isn't. Soft touch, looking to put Brasher up on two. It is perfect. Excellent control from Kristen Cruz. It is blocked out. Lucky break there for Brasher. Duda out of the middle. Good hands, better cover. The lefty top over will be good. A little bang bang for Duda and AP. The wind is coming towards Brazil. Bit inside for Duda, and she sneaks it around. Brasher, you know, life of a blocker is not easy. Sometimes the ball is just going to sneak under you. The defender in this relationship, that's for sure. Speaking of beating the blocker, that is Doug from Cruz. Good little push from Anna Patricia, and she terminates. Number one rule, if you hit near hard, Kristen, they can hit the seams away from Kristen. Back to the line, lots of dialogue from Cruz and Duda, just kind of maybe guessing they're kind of popping out into that angle. Love it. Taryn's passing, just such. That's a nice swing. Deciding against the high line to go that low quick line. The way Taryn has been sort of swap blocking this tournament as well. So you have to be careful. Love it. Another option from Brasher. It's so interesting because it's something they don't use most of the tournament. And all of a sudden the tape is getting a little low. In that one down into Aaron's hands, a little too close for comfort. And what a shot. Nice. 19 serving 15, United States in control and set one. And again, Duda, she's using that equipment, she gets lucky. Duda takes her look. Little cut shots, not going to work. And then another quick option. What control from Kristen Cruz to put up Brasher, who was near perfect with those options. And it is USA who never slowed up in this first set. They take 21-16. Got to find a shift here, but this is the best team, the Olympic gold medalist. And so I'm sure they will make some adjustments, adjustments. It doesn't lower their confidence because they're not being dug. Another heavy swing, and it's another perfect dig. The kick save is perfect from Anna Patricia. Yeah, we were waiting for one of those. Unfortunately, it comes right back. Unrelenting offense right now from Cruz and Brasher. They are not out for the quick release. Brazil could not form their defense again. And a line block due to just trying to overpower this team. And it is it's not working right now. They haven't worked the high hands of Kristen. They're going down and put yourself in the best position to defend. What a read from Cruz. Another scoop from Kristen Cruz, this one deeper. He's going to shuffle up Cruz with another touch. Brasher can't reach it, but wow. Incredible stuff. Cruz in such a good position in defense. Taryn comes with her, keeps it low, and then Anna Patricia's gone. But it's too quick. I love Kristen when she adds that extra little ping. Another touch. This one, though, is not corralled from Cruz. But they are showing no signs of taking on taking 16 balls per set per match. Brasher out of the middle. Good recovers second opportunity. That is a break for United States. Possibly could have been another swat from Anna Patricia. But I like to see that she's taking on the block at space. So she's trying to get it up and over. Yes. Cruz, the one arm stabby dig. Doesn't come back for this one. That quick bang off is get up off the knees and press. Duda, the high line, Cruz there down the line, Duda trying to go over on one and a little frustration now for Brazil. They need to find their groove again. Settle back. Option to poke Brasher with a nice touch. Again, nobody up for Brasher. All AP coming up huge. And she sends a heat seeker. That's a system set, rescued by AP. Duda went for that one. And that's what we needed. More pulls from Anna Patricia. Goodnight. Open net. And she detonates. Anyway, can Brazil find the defense? USA with match point incoming if they get the side out to the line. Duda was there in the middle waiting. Duda, it's still going on. Match point number one for United States off the net. Cruz on the dig. Nice cover. Brasher to end it. She will off the platform. And it is United States that hold on a brilliant match.