Andy Benesh was on fire.
Benesh's Block Party
The AVP Huntington Beach Open saw Andy Benesh at his best, delivering six blocks and four aces in the first set alone. The Rancho Palos Verdes native, alongside partner Miles Partain, clinched their second title at this iconic venue with a straight-set victory over fellow Olympians Chase Budinger and Miles Evans.
"It's fun," Benesh shared post-match. "I got into a little bit of a flow state. Sometimes the plays seem like they're coming to you." And boy, did they come.
Brasher and Nuss: Never Back Down
On the women's side, top seeds Taryn Brasher and Kristen Nuss faced a tighter contest. They edged past Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft in a thrilling three-set battle. After saving three match points in the second set, Cannon and Kraft forced a decider. But Brasher and Nuss were relentless, sealing the deal 15-9 in the third.
"Before every single set, Taryn always says, 'It's zeroes, it's a new game,'" Nuss explained. That's how champions think.
Fast Pace, Big Wins
Benesh and Partain didn't even drop a set throughout the tournament, blitzing through their semifinal against Hagan Smith and Logan Webber with another 21-14, 21-14 scoreline.
Their coach Theo Brunner has emphasized aggression, and the results are undeniable. "This surface plays to our advantage," Benesh noted. "It’s a fast surface, and we like to play a fast game."
What's Next?
Both teams are heading into the 2025 AVP League season with momentum. Look out, Palm Beach, Fla., because this duo is coming in hot.
Trophies shaped like surfboards are nice, but it's the grit and grind that truly define these champions.
And just like that, Huntington Beach is theirs again.
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Source: latimes.com
