rwynn Williams and promoted tight end Hakeem Valles from the practice squad. Williams joined th | Forum

RIO DE JANEIRO -- At some point, Phil Dalhausser just had to laugh. Korbinian Holzer Jersey .After the Americans survived a couple of match points -- and Italy fought off seven of their own -- the final set of their final match in pool play at the beach volleyball tournament at Copacabana was tied 22-22.Dalhausser smiled.His partner, Nick Lucena, smiled.The Italians smiled, too, and then slapped hands with Lucena after he got a lucky roll on a winner off the top of the net to give the Americans a 23-22 lead. When Lucena made another crafty play to provide the necessary two-point margin of victory, the United States had won.But only after the longest third set of the Rio Olympics so far.Its not very often you can have a game like that, said Lucena, an Olympic rookie who teamed with the 2008 gold medalist to win 21-13, 17-21, 24-22 on Thursday.Beach volleyball plays the first two sets to 21 points, and the leader has to win by 2. If necessary, a third set tiebreaker is played to 15 -- again requiring a 2-point margin of victory.Heading into Thursdays games, 22 of the 60 mens and womens matches played at Copacabana needed a third set. Only four of those went beyond 15, and only one of those required more than one extra point to settle it.When youre in the 20s in the third set, and its going back and forth, its pretty fun, said Dalhausser, who recalled once playing a first set that was 41-39.Even the Italian teams confessed to enjoying it.The match was great. It was great to watch, but it would have been better to win, said Paolo Nicolai, smiling afterward when he talked to reporters.Both persons are trying to do their best, he said. Its fun for the players. Its fun for the crowd. Its fun.With the victory, the Americans clinched the top spot in their group and a top seed in the knockout stage that begins on Friday. They will join top U.S. womens team Kerri Walsh Jennings and April Ross, who also advanced through the pool play unbeaten.The other U.S. team that played on Thursday wasnt as lucky.Brooke Sweat and Lauren Fendrick took Russia to three sets before bowing out of the Summer Games with an 0-3 record in pool play. The first-time Olympians lost to Russias Ekaterina Birlova and Evgenia Ukolova in three sets, 21-18, 26-24, 15-13.Unfortunately it didnt come out our way today, but I am proud to stand next to her and fight any day, Fendrick said. We worked so hard. We had big goals and dreams, and I think if we had gotten past that round we would have gone pretty far and done some damage. So that parts hard.Sweat noted that the pair fought to qualify for Rio, finally finishing 15th on a points list with an Olympic cutoff at No. 17It was a battle just getting here, Sweat said.The No. 2 U.S. mens team of Jake Gibb and Casey Patters was eliminated on Wednesday after going 1-2 and losing the playoff tiebreaker. Ryan Miller Jersey . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. Ryan Getzlaf Ducks Jersey . Varlamov made 33 saves and Ryan OReilly had a goal and scored in the shootout as the Avalanche beat the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Thursday night. http://www.authenticduckspro.com/Giovanni-fiore-ducks-jersey/ . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Defensive lineman Glenn Dorsey and tight end Vance McDonald are among the players inactive for the San Francisco 49ers against the Arizona Cardinals.Cornerback Jimmie Ward (quadriceps) and defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (foot) had already been ruled out of Thursday nights game. Dorsey is being held out with a knee injury and McDonald is missing his second straight game with an injured hip.Quarterback Christian Ponder, receiver Keshawn Martin and offensive lineman John Theus are also out.Quarterback Carson Palmer (concussion), tight end Darren Fells (shoulder), defensive tackle Ed Stinson (toe) and defensive tackle Josh Mauro (chest) are being held out for Arizona. Cam Fowler Jersey. Guard Cole Turner, defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche and defensive tackle Olsen Pierre are also inactive.Earlier Thursday, the Cardinals released running back Kerwynn Williams and promoted tight end Hakeem Valles from the practice squad. Williams joined the Cardinals early this week after Chris Johnson was placed on injured reserve with a hernia. Thursdays move left Arizona with three running backs -- David Johnson, Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '