Phil Dalhausser US reaches for a ball during the Beach Volleyball match against Italy at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Defending beach volleyball gold medalists Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser were knocked out of the Olympics on Friday by Italy.
The Americans had been among the favorites to win another gold medal.
Rogers and Dalhausser lost the first set 21-17 and fell behind Paolo Nicolai and Danielle Lupo 12-7 in the second. The Americans tied it 19-all but lost the final two points and were eliminated when Rogers' spike was blocked right back into him by the 6-foot-8 Nicolai.
Earlier Friday, Americans Jennifer Kessy and April Ross beat Switzerland's Simone Kuhn and Nadine Zumkehr.
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