Multiple pairs of beach volleyball Olympians played their first matches since the Paris Games on Friday at the AVP Tour’s Manhattan Beach Open.
For the women, the top two seeded teams – No. 1 Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss and No. 2 Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes – advanced to the third round of the tournament without dropping a set.
On the men’s side, third-seeded Andy Benesh and Miles Partain reached the third round unscathed, but fifth-seeded Chase Budinger and Miles Evans lost 21-15, 21-16 to Tri Bourne and Ryan Wilcox and will have to rise through the contenders bracket.
According to Kloth and Nuss, they haven’t had time to thoroughly reflect on their Olympics appearance after losing to Canada in the round of 16.
“That was the most fun, anxiety, stress, exciting and everything all wrapped up in one,” Kloth said. “There were just so many waves of emotions, and it was so much fun to go through with Kristen.”
Playing in the Olympics was a lifelong dream for Nuss, who is from Louisiana, and Kloth, who is from South Dakota. They said playing beach volleyball under the Eiffel Tower, in front of 10,000 fans, enhanced the experience.
Benesh and Partain reached the quarterfinals before falling to Qatar. The United States has never medaled at the Olympics in men’s beach volleyball.
“We’re really fortunate to be able to represent the U.S.,” Benesh said. “I’m proud of how we represented everyone. I think we played the way we wanted to. Didn’t get it done in the quarterfinals, but overall, it was a really good experience.”
Benesh graduated from USC in 2017 after playing indoor volleyball as a middle blocker. Partain left UCLA during his junior season to pursue beach volleyball. The two have traveled all over the world since competing internationally.
Recently, Benesh and Partain received a sponsorship deal with Skechers, which could indicate what’s on the horizon for beach volleyball.
“It’s great to have the core of beach volleyball supported,” Partain said. “I think that’s the best strategy, which is to really intensify and solidify the core and have it radiate outwards. It’s a great partnership and hopefully everyone can be involved in the sport.”
The new AVP League will launch Sept. 14. The Manhattan Beach Open is one of the Heritage Series events, in which teams need to secure placings in order to qualify for the new league.
“We’re really excited to see the sport grow and there was so much love for beach volleyball shown in the Olympics and we want to keep that train moving with the AVP League and have more events for people domestically,” Kloth said.
The logos and names of the new franchises graced the walls around the main stadium at Manhattan Beach. Los Angeles will have the Los Angeles Launch as its home franchise.
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“Not only are you playing to cement your name on the pier, but you’re also playing for a spot in the league,” Kloth said.
Benesh and Partain are aiming to qualify for the league as well.
“It’s a really cool concept, and I think all the players are really stoked to try a different format for beach volleyball,” Benesh said.
In other men’s action Friday, the top-seeded men’s team of Theo Brunner and Trevor Crabb made it to the third round, as did the second-seeded team of Taylor Crabb and Taylor Sander.