The 2024 Olympic Games, scheduled to take place from Friday, July 26 through Sunday, August 11, will prominently feature beach volleyball. Team USA will be represented by four men and four women, forming two teams each. The women’s teams will consist of the dynamic duos Taryn Kloth-Kristen Nuss and Kelly Cheng-Sara Hughes. The men’s teams will be represented by the pairs of Andy Benesh-Miles Partain and Chase Budinger-Miles Evans. Pin Up bookmaker offers an unparalleled betting experience for the Olympics, featuring competitive odds, a user-friendly interface, and a wide range of betting options. With its secure platform and real-time updates, Pin Up ensures bettors have the best possible environment to place their bets and stay engaged throughout the games.
Let’s delve into the collegiate careers of these exceptional athletes, who have earned their place on the U.S. Olympic beach volleyball team through years of dedication and excellence.
Women
Taryn Kloth | LSU
Taryn Kloth had a notable college career, playing two years of beach volleyball at LSU and four years of indoor volleyball at Creighton. During her indoor volleyball tenure at Creighton, Kloth was a standout player, earning the Big East Championship MVP in 2017 and leading Creighton to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2016. Transitioning to beach volleyball at LSU, Kloth demonstrated exceptional skill, achieving a perfect 36-0 record in 2021. Her outstanding performance earned her the AVCA Pair of the Year and All-American honors in beach volleyball.
Kristen Nuss | LSU
Kristen Nuss was Kloth’s partner at LSU and spent her entire career with the Tigers. Nuss’s journey began with an impressive sophomore season when she and Claire Coppola became the first pair in LSU history to be named All-Americans. By 2020, Nuss and Coppola had become the third pair in NCAA history to reach the 100-win milestone. After her super senior season, Nuss concluded her college career with 136 victories, making her the all-time winningest player in college beach volleyball history.
Kelly Cheng | Southern California
Kelly Cheng was a three-time All-American at Southern California, where she forged a formidable partnership with Sara Hughes. Together, they achieved a remarkable 147-4 record. Cheng was instrumental in winning the first two NCAA beach volleyball titles ever awarded, in 2016 and 2017. During her junior season, Cheng and Hughes went undefeated, losing only one set, solidifying their dominance in the sport.
Sara Hughes | Southern California
Sara Hughes was a four-time All-American at Southern California, mirroring the exceptional achievements of her partner Kelly Cheng. Hughes and Cheng amassed a 147-4 record, and they were pivotal in securing the first two NCAA beach volleyball titles in 2016 and 2017. Hughes’s collegiate career was marked by an incredible freshman and sophomore performance, with an 86-7 record prior to NCAA competition. Her partnership with Cheng saw them go undefeated in their junior season, losing only one set, a testament to their unparalleled synergy on the sand.
Men
Andy Benesh | Southern California
Andy Benesh made his mark in collegiate volleyball at Southern California from 2014 to 2017. Over his college career, Benesh accumulated 658 kills with an impressive .415 hitting percentage, 346 blocks, 191 digs, and 43 aces across 99 matches. His standout performances earned him an All-American honorable mention in 2015 and a freshman All-American title in 2014, showcasing his impact on the court from the beginning.
Miles Partain | UCLA
Miles Partain, at just 22 years old, is the youngest U.S. beach volleyball player in Olympic history. His collegiate career at UCLA from 2021 to 2023 was nothing short of stellar. As a sophomore, Partain led the nation with a .373 hitting percentage. In 2022, he played a crucial role in propelling the Bruins to the NCAA semifinals and was honored with the MPSF Player of the Year award after recording 1,040 assists.
Chase Budinger | Arizona
Chase Budinger’s athletic journey is unique, beginning with college basketball at Arizona. He was the 44th overall pick in the second round of the 2009 NBA draft. Budinger enjoyed a successful NBA career from 2009 to 2016 and played overseas in the 2016-17 season. After retiring from basketball in 2017, Budinger transitioned to professional beach volleyball, making his debut in 2018 and demonstrating his versatile athletic prowess.
Miles Evans | UC Santa Barbara
Miles Evans played volleyball at UC Santa Barbara for two years before pursuing a professional beach volleyball career. During his time at UCSB, Evans accumulated 514 kills, leading his team with 325 kills in his junior season, and recorded 261 digs. His efficiency as a front-row defender was evident, with 95 blocks as an outside hitter, underscoring his comprehensive skills on the court.
These athletes’ collegiate achievements have paved the way for their Olympic dreams, showcasing their dedication, talent, and determination to excel in beach volleyball. As they represent Team USA, their college careers serve as a testament to the hard work and commitment required to reach the pinnacle of their sport.
