At the recent FIVB World Tour Rio 4 Star tournament held in Rio de Janeiro, the U.S. men’s and women’s beach volleyball teams showcased their skills and talent. Among the strong field of competitors, Casey Patterson and Theo Brunner emerged as the top American men’s finish, securing a commendable fourth place. Similarly, Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes represented the United States in the women’s category, finishing in a respectable fifth place.
Impressively, all three American men’s teams were competing together for only the second time as partnerships, following major changes after the Rio Olympics and the conclusion of the 2016 season. Jake Gibb and Taylor Crabb tied for fifth, continuing their consistent performance. Meanwhile, John Hyden and Ryan Doherty also tied for fifth, securing their second Top 5 finish on the World Tour in 2017.
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In the pool play, Brunner/Patterson and Hyden/Doherty displayed their strength by winning one match each, while Gibb/Crabb swept their matches with a 2-0 victory. The U.S. men’s teams advanced through the first and second rounds before facing tough quarterfinal opponents with extensive Olympic experience. Brunner/Patterson emerged victorious against the Netherlands’ Alexander Brouwer/Robert Meeuwsen. Unfortunately, Hyden/Doherty fell to Poland, and Gibb/Crabb were defeated by the Brazilian Olympic champions.
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Brazil’s Alison Cerutti/Bruno Schmidt proved to be formidable opponents for Brunner/Patterson in the semifinals, sweeping them in two sets. Despite the loss, Brunner/Patterson showcased their resilience and fought for bronze against Italy’s Paolo Nicolai/Daniele Lupo, narrowly losing in three fiercely contested sets. This achievement marked their best finish in 2017, following their initial tie for ninth place in Fort Lauderdale earlier in the year.
Turning to the women’s competition, Claes/Hughes and Lauren Fendrick/Lane Carico were the sole U.S. teams to advance from the pool play. Emily Day/Brittany Hochevar struggled, falling short in their pool matches, while Kimberly DiCello/Emily Stockman were unable to progress beyond qualification.
Fendrick/Carico faced a challenging first round of single-elimination and were defeated by Canada’s Heather Bansley/Brandie Wilkerson. Claes/Hughes, on the other hand, embarked on an impressive run, securing a two-set victory against Italy in the first round and a hard-fought victory against a Brazilian team in the second round. They eventually reached the quarterfinals but lost to Brazil’s Agatha Bednarczuk/Eduarda Lisboa in a closely contested match.
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It is worth mentioning that Claes and Hughes had only just graduated from the University of Southern California a week prior to the tournament, making their debut as professional athletes extremely promising.
In summary, the FIVB World Tour Rio 4 Star tournament provided a platform for American beach volleyball teams to showcase their skills and compete against some of the world’s best players. Despite the tough competition, Patterson/Brunner and Claes/Hughes delivered outstanding performances, and their respective finishes reflect their dedication and talent.
FAQs
Q1: How did Casey Patterson and Theo Brunner perform at the FIVB Rio 4 Star tournament?
A1: Casey Patterson and Theo Brunner finished in fourth place, securing the top American men’s finish at the tournament.
Q2: Which women’s team represented the United States at the FIVB Rio 4 Star tournament?
A2: Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes represented the U.S. in the women’s category, finishing in fifth place.
Q3: How did American men’s teams perform overall at the tournament?
A3: All three American men’s teams, including Patterson/Brunner, Gibb/Crabb, and Hyden/Doherty, achieved commendable results, with two of the teams tying for fifth place.
Q4: What were the highlights of Brunner/Patterson’s performance?
A4: Brunner/Patterson had an impressive run, winning matches in the pool play and defeating the Netherlands’ Brouwer/Meeuwsen in the quarterfinals. They eventually secured fourth place overall.
Q5: How did Claes/Hughes fare in the competition?
A5: Claes/Hughes had a remarkable tournament, achieving their best FIVB World Tour finish to date and making their professional debut after graduating from the University of Southern California.
Summary
The FIVB World Tour Rio 4 Star tournament witnessed exceptional performances from American beach volleyball teams. Casey Patterson and Theo Brunner finished in a commendable fourth place among a highly competitive field. Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes represented the United States in the women’s category, securing a respectable fifth place finish. All three American men’s teams, including Patterson/Brunner, Gibb/Crabb, and Hyden/Doherty, showcased their talent and determination, achieving impressive results. Claes and Hughes delivered a standout performance, making their professional debut shortly after graduating from college. The tournament served as a platform to highlight the skill and potential of American beach volleyball players on the international stage.
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