Chaos unfolds during Team USA upset in beach volleyball

Team USA’s beach volleyball duo of Sarah Sponcil and Kelly Cales had their pursuit of a gold medal end in chaotic fashion Sunday.

With the U.S. trailing 12-11 in the final set, Sponcil hit a hard serve that Canada’s pair of Heather Bansley and Brandie Wilkerson let go over their heads because they felt it was out of bounds.

The ball came inches within scraping the touchline and was called out, with NBC commentator Dain Blanton describing it as “the closest play we’ve ever seen.”

The Americans challenged the replay but the line judge confirmed the original call was correct.

That’s when things turned messy, as the video board said the ball was out and the challenge was successful, which wasn’t possible.

A member of the Canadian delegation sitting in the mostly empty arena shouted, “It was out!”

The players complained to the referee, and the stadium announcer explained that the challenge would be reviewed again. The call was confirmed a second time and awarded to Canada for a 13-11 lead.

“It was a little confusing, on one side it said ball out and said challenge successful,” Bansely told CBC. “It wasn’t clear if they were giving the point to us or USA. The ref just said ‘wait, wait’ she was getting more info.

“I think they’re just sort of working out some kinks,” Bansley said. “We trust the technology they have. At least you know the correct answer, and you work from there.”

A furious Sponcil was given a yellow card for continually protesting the call, as Canada went on to upset the American duo, 22-24, 21-18, 15-13.

 “I thought it was in, and I mean, it sucks. It shouldn’t have even come down to that third set. We did such a good job in the second, and then just let them back in, Sponcil said of the US squandering a 10-4 lead in the second set.

With the third-set only being played to 15, Sponcil mishit a return shot to extend Canada’s lead to three. The U.S managed to score two points to make the game interesting, but Canada won the final point and edged out a 15-13 win.

“Huge learning moment for us,” Claes said. “It sucks right now. It’s probably going to suck for a few weeks. But probably looking back I’ll for sure look at that and take that into account. But right now, like, it stinks.”

— With AP