Let’s get one thing straight: Andy Benesh and Miles Partain are the class of U.S. beach volleyball right now.
Benesh and Partain: Unstoppable Force
Coming into the AVP Huntington Beach Heritage event, the big question was whether Benesh and Partain could reclaim their top-five world form. Spoiler alert: they did, and then some.
The dynamic duo didn't just win—they obliterated their competition. No team got within two points in any match. Let that sink in. Their quarterfinal victims? Phil Dalhausser and Trevor Crabb, dispatched 21-15, 21-18. In the semis, Hagen Smith and Logan Webber had no answer, falling 21-13, 21-12. Chase Budinger and Miles Evans, the defending champs, were swept aside 21-14, 21-14.
Partain and Benesh made it look too easy. "We were just trying to come out with a lot of energy," Benesh commented. "Our new coach, Theo Brunner, is trying to get me to be more of a point scorer." Mission accomplished.
Nuss and Kloth: Consistency is Key
Over on the women's side, Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth are on a tear of their own. Their win over Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft in the finals (21-17, 21-23, 15-9) marked their second straight tournament victory. Four tournaments, four top-three finishes—straight up dominant.
AVP League: The Stage is Set
With AVP League qualifiers wrapped, the stage is set for 2025. Benesh and Partain punched their ticket early, but Kelly Cheng and Molly Shaw made waves by securing their spot with a nail-biting win over Jaden Whitmarsh and Devon Newberry (21-23, 21-14, 18-16). Cannon and Kraft cruised into the league with sweeps over Maya Gessner and Jacinda Ramirez.
Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth continue to handle business. As for the men, Benesh and Partain? They're not just winning—they're redefining what it means to dominate. And from here... it's clear, the sky's the limit.
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Source: sandcastvolleyball.com
