The set loss seemed to serve as a wake-up call for the Brazilians, who lead early and often in the third, taking a 12-6 advantage and doubling it for lopsided 25-13 win.

The fourth and final set was a back-and-forth battle, with the Americans enjoying a lead at 18-16. Brazil rallied to tie and then take the point advantages from there, snapping the 21-21 tie by scoring the match's four final points.

"We knew we wanted to come in and leave everything we had out on the court out there, and I think we did that," Tom said.

Up next for Tom will be brief break before returning to play in Japan. She'll mull over heading back to the pro beach volleyball tour, where she spent three years after the 2004 Olympics.

And what about London in 2012 for a fourth Summer Games?

"I don't know — I didn't think I'd be back for this one," said the 27-year-old former Highland High star who broke into the national-team program as a Salt Lake teenager. "I kind of fly by the seat of my pants, so we'll see how it goes."

And she leaves Beijing and the Capital Gymnasium court with no disappointments and no "what ifs" — pleased to have the Olympic medal that eluded her and her teammates twice before.

"I have no kind of regrets, no looking back," she said. "I'm happy it (the medal) is there around my neck, and I will be forever."

---

E-mail: taylor@desnews.com