Kerri Walsh Jennings, April Ross shrug off 'Zika' jeers in win over China
RIO DE JANEIRO — Kerri Walsh Jennings, the American beach volleyball star, has a message for Brazilian fans who targeted her and teammate April Ross with shouts of “Zika’’ during a match that started at midnight Monday.
“I’m not worried about Zika,’’ Walsh Jennings told Paste BN Sports. “I’ve got my Honest Bug Spray on. I’m taken care of. We’re doing our part.’’
Apparently the Brazilians weren’t loud enough either.
Walsh Jennings and teammate April Ross said they couldn’t hear the “Zika’’ jeers during their 2-0 victory (21-16, 21-9) over China’s Wang Fan and Yue Yuan that leaves them atop Pool C in group play. But the jeers were unmistakable, if less boisterous than those first directed at U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo before the two U.S. women’s volleyball teams became targets.
“I don’t pay attention to that stuff,’’ Walsh Jennings said.
But it was a surreal match, with chants of “U-S-A, U-S-A” alternating with the increasingly-familiar refrain of, “Whoooooa, Zika!’’ But perhaps no more surreal than what felt as much as one of the nearby nightclubs as a beach volleyball venue, thanks to a deejay, colored strobe lights and dance music.
While the Brazilians playfully jeered the Americans, they also cheered the Americans when Walsh Jennings and Ross made clutch plays during a match that ended at 12:33 a.m.
“People appreciate good volleyball here,’’ Walsh Jennings said.
Even at past midnight, it turns out.