If you’re trying to build the future of U.S. beach volleyball, there’s one name that’s literally standing above the rest:
Andy Benesh — 6’9″, elite hands, Olympic energy, and absolutely no chill at the net.
From SoCal roots to Paris heat, Benesh isn’t just a late bloomer — he’s a modern beach volleyball blueprint. Power. Patience. Precision. And now? Podium potential.
🌴 West Coast Raised, Wired to Win
Born March 14, 1995, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, Benesh didn’t start on the sand — but once he hit it, he never looked back.
- Picked up volleyball at Palos Verdes High School
- Named First-Team All-American + VolleyballMag Fab 50 Recruit
- Said goodbye to basketball dreams and went all-in on volleyball — and yeah, that worked out.
🏐 USC Trojan, Middle Blocker Mayhem
Benesh balled out at USC from 2014–2017:
- 2x AVCA All-America Honorable Mention
- All-MPSF Second Team (2017)
- Team captain, stat-stuffer, and ultimate teammate
- Career totals:
- 658 kills
- 346 blocks
- .415 hitting percentage
- And more floor burns than stats could measure
Oh — and he was on the MPSF All-Academic Team 3x, because why not flex both hemispheres?
🌍 From Switzerland to the Sand
After college? He went full passport mode.
- Played indoor pro ball in Switzerland
- Made the switch to beach in 2018 with high school buddy Cole Fiers
- Qualified for two AVP Main Draws immediately
The sand stuck. And so did Benesh.
🥇 The Partain Partnership Era
Then he teamed up with Miles Partain… and the sport got flipped upside down.
Together? They’re a beach volleyball supernova.
🌎 Global Medal Haul
- 🥇 2022 Dubai Challenge #1 (BPT)
- 🥇 2023 Gstaad Elite 16
- 🥈 2022 Songkhla, 2023 Montreal, 2023 NORCECA Punta Cana
- 🥉 2023 Ostrava Elite 16, NORCECA Finals
🏆 AVP Domination
- AVP Best Blocker (2023)
- Most Improved Player
- AVP Team of the Year (w/ Partain)
- VolleyballMag.com MVP + Best Blocker
These two aren’t just winning matches — they’re building a brand.
🇺🇸 Olympic Debut: Paris 2024
Partain and Benesh punched their Olympic ticket early — and delivered.
- Youngest U.S. beach team ever
- Made the Round of 16
- Beat Brazil’s George/Andre at Eiffel Tower Stadium (instant classic)
- Benesh? 8 attack points in Set 1 alone.
- Outcome: 5th place finish — and a warning shot to the world
LA 2028? Oh, we’re locked in already.
📐 Built Like a Skyscraper, Moves Like a Vet
Benesh plays like a machine, but thinks like a chess master:
- Blocking IQ? Off the charts
- Court presence? Unmatched
- Vibe? Chill killer
His off-court persona is quiet, cerebral.
On-court? He’s a problem wrapped in a jersey.
🎮 Off the Court
- Loves gaming 🎮
- Huge reader 📚
- Humble to the core
- Standing at 6’9”, but somehow flies even higher
His favorite part of volleyball?
“Training with the best in the world — and becoming better every single day.”
Spoiler: He is.
🏁 Final Serve
Andy Benesh didn’t take the traditional path to beach greatness.
But now he’s the guy every team has to scheme for, the partner every player wants, and the anchor for America’s next Olympic charge.
He blocks. He finishes. He thinks. He leads.
Benesh isn’t just tall. He’s towering over the sport — one win at a time.
