Monday, 15 Jul 2024

Beach Update: U.S. Teams Earn Silver, Bronze at Ostrava

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 4, 2023) – The U.S. beach volleyball teams showcased their skill and determination at the Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 event in Ostrava, Czech Republic, securing silver and bronze medals.

Terese Cannon and Sarah Sponcil delivered an outstanding performance, claiming the women’s silver medal. On the other hand, Andy Benesh and Miles Partain celebrated their success by securing the men’s bronze medal.

This achievement marked Cannon and Sponcil’s fourth podium finish in the Beach Pro Tour. As for Benesh and Partain, it was their second medal in the tour, making history as the first U.S. men’s beach team to earn a medal at an Elite 16 event since the tour’s inception in 2022.

The journey to the podium was not an easy one. Both U.S. teams had to battle their way into the main draw by winning two qualifier matches. Cannon and Sponcil, seeded 16th, demonstrated their prowess by going 2-1 in pool play, only losing to Brazil’s top-seeded Eduarda Santos Lisboa (Duda) and Ana Patricia Ramos, the reigning world champions.

In a thrilling quarterfinal match, Cannon and Sponcil defeated Switzerland’s Anouk Vergé-Dépré and Joana Mäder. They continued their winning streak in the semifinals, triumphing over Canada’s Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson in a hard-fought battle.

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In the eagerly anticipated final, Cannon and Sponcil faced Duda and Ana Patricia once again, showcasing their skills and determination. Although they fell short, their performance was commendable, losing in a close 2-1 match.

Similarly, Benesh and Partain, seeded 13th, faced their fair share of challenges. After going 1-2 in pool play, they advanced to the round of 12. In a thrilling encounter, they defeated Poland’s Bartosz Łosiak and Michal Bryl, securing their spot in the quarterfinals.

Their journey continued as they faced Sweden’s David Åhman and Jonatan Hellvig in the quarterfinals. After winning the first set, their opponents had to withdraw due to injury, propelling Benesh and Partain further into the tournament.

In a closely contested semifinal, they faced Qatar’s Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan, narrowly missing out on the opportunity to compete for the gold. However, they bounced back in the bronze medal match, defeating Czech Republic’s Ondrej Perusic and David Schweiner in straight sets.

The U.S. beach volleyball scene showcased its depth, with several other teams delivering commendable performances. Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng, Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth, and Julia Scoles and Betsi Flint finished in a shared 5th place. Savvy Simo and Toni Rodriguez secured a respectable 17th place finish, while Megan Kraft and Emily Stockman claimed 21st place.

On the men’s side, Trevor Crabb and Theo Brunner, Miles Evans and Chase Budinger, Troy Field and Paul Lotman, and Chaim Schalk and Tri Bourne displayed their skills, finishing in the top 21 spots.

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Looking ahead, Benesh and Partain, along with Kelley Kolinske and Hailey Harward, are scheduled to compete in the World Championship qualifier in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, from June 6-9. The highly anticipated World Championships will take place from October 6-15 in Tlaxcala, Mexico.

In other events, Samuel Massari and Ryan Rapini have their sights set on the Spiez Future event in Switzerland, scheduled from June 8-11.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates as these talented U.S. beach volleyball teams continue to make waves in the international arena. Join us in supporting their journey to greatness!

FAQs

Q: How did the U.S. beach volleyball teams perform at the Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 event in Ostrava, Czech Republic?
A: The U.S. beach volleyball teams had a remarkable performance at the Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 event in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Terese Cannon and Sarah Sponcil won the women’s silver medal, while Andy Benesh and Miles Partain secured the men’s bronze medal.

Q: How did Cannon and Sponcil reach the final in the women’s category?
A: Cannon and Sponcil fought their way into the final by delivering exceptional performances throughout the tournament. They won two qualifier matches to enter the main draw and went on to achieve a 2-1 record in the pool play. They continued their winning streak by defeating tough opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

Q: Who did Benesh and Partain face in the men’s bronze medal match?
A: Benesh and Partain faced Czech Republic’s Ondrej Perusic and David Schweiner in the men’s bronze medal match. They displayed great skill and determination, securing victory in straight sets.

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Summary

The U.S. beach volleyball teams made a splash at the Beach Pro Tour Elite 16 event in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Terese Cannon and Sarah Sponcil claimed the women’s silver medal, while Andy Benesh and Miles Partain secured the men’s bronze medal. Both teams showcased their skills and determination, fighting their way through the competition to reach the podium. Cannon and Sponcil had a remarkable run, defeating strong opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals before falling short in a thrilling final match. Benesh and Partain showcased their resilience, bouncing back from a semifinal loss to secure the bronze medal. The U.S. beach volleyball scene demonstrated its depth with several other teams delivering commendable performances. Stay tuned for more exciting updates as these talented athletes continue to make waves on the international stage. Join us in supporting their journey to greatness!