It was a tense game between the two American volleyball pairs who advanced to the final, gold-medal round in Wednesday night's volleyball game. Jennifer Kessy, 35, and April Ross, 30, relative newcomers who have been competing together since 2007 and were playing their first Olympics, faced off against volleyball legends Misty May-Treanor, 35, and Kerri Walsh Jennings, 33. In case anyone had any doubt, May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings ran away with the gold, winning two sets 21-16, leaving Kessy-Ross with the silver.

This is the third consecutive Olympic gold medal for May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings, who have played 43 sets of volleyball over all three Olympics and lost only one. "It feels like an out-of-body experience," May-Treanor said after the win. "This one does feel a lot different. Kind of a numbness," she said, reports the Washington Post.

Silver medalist Kessy recognized what the victors had done for the game they love. "They put it on the map, really," Kessy said of May-Treanor and Walsh Jennings. "For women especially. I think everyone in the U.S. knows them. I'm sure everyone in the rest of the world knows them."

Walsh Jennings will return to competitive volleyball with another teammate who has not yet been named, but May-Treanor's heart is set on retirement. "It's time for me to be a wife. I want to be a mom and share time with my family," she said. "All of us athletes sacrifice more on the family end than people maybe realize. My mind says it's time. My body says it's time. And it's the right time."

Though Walsh Jennings has been known to choke up about the end of the competitive career, saying it "crushes me a little," she's looking on the bright side. "The next stage is going to be so fun. We're going to be able to be girlfriends, sharing each other's families and each other's lives."

High-profile names came out for the celebrated event. Among the atendees ere Prince Harry, who was avidly taking pictures, and David Beckham.

For more on Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings:

Misty May-Treanor Advances To Beach Volleyball Olympic Final Event

U.S. Olympic Volleyball Players Misty May-Treanor And Kerry Walsh Make Comeback

EXCLUSIVE: U.S. Olympic Volleyball Player Jennifer Kessy On Trying Out Swimming

U.S. Olympic Swimmer And Aurora, Colorado Native Missy Franklin On Winning Gold: 'Pinch Me'

U.S. Olympic Gymnast McKayla Maroney

Olympics Slideshow: Kerri Walsh

Misty May-Treanor Wants To Be On 'Dancing with the Stars: All Stars'

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