Sunday, 8 Dec 2024

Three Medals for BNT as Kloth/Nuss Win in Kusadasi

The U.S. Beach National Team achieved great success on Sunday, winning three medals in two different tournaments. Their outstanding performance at the Beach Pro Tour’s Kusadasi Challenge in Kusadasi, Turkey, resulted in a gold and a bronze medal. Additionally, they secured a silver medal at the Rhodes Futures in Greece.

Kusadasi Challenge

Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss, an impressive duo, emerged victorious in the Kusadasi Challenge. They showcased exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, ultimately clinching the gold medal. Their path to victory involved defeating the top-ranked, fourth-ranked, and seventh-ranked teams in the playoff bracket. In a thrilling final match, they triumphed over Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar of Australia, who had previously won the Olympic silver medal. The final score was 2-1 (21-12, 17-21, 17-15).

Nuss expressed her elation after the match, stating, “I don’t know if there are words to describe what we’re feeling now. We kept battling all week.” This victory marks the second international tournament win for Kloth and Nuss this year, following their success at the Coolangatta Futures in April.

Sarah Sponcil and Terese Cannon, another talented pair, also demonstrated their prowess at the Kusadasi Challenge. Although they were defeated by Kloth and Nuss in the semifinals, they bounced back and secured the bronze medal by overcoming Germany’s Sandra Ittlinger and Isabel Schneider in a hard-fought three-set match. Sponcil and Cannon’s victory earned them their first medal as a team. They also earned 720 points towards qualification for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championship.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  U.S. Women Announce 30-Player Roster for FIVB Volleyball Nations League

Other U.S. teams that showcased their skills in the tournament include Corinne Quiggle and Sarah Schermerhorn, Emily Stockman and Megan Kraft, and Chase Budinger and Troy Field. Stockman and Kraft finished in the top five, reaching the quarterfinals in their first tournament together. Quiggle and Schermerhorn tied for ninth place, their third T-9 finish of the season. Budinger and Field had an impressive performance, narrowly losing a thrilling three-set match against Italian semifinalists Adrian Carambula and Enrico Rossi.

Tri Bourne and Trevor Crabb also displayed their tenacity in the Kusadasi Challenge, enduring intense matches in the pool play. However, they were unable to advance beyond the pool stage. Notably, their opening match featured an epic first set that lasted until 36-38, making it the longest set of the Beach Pro Tour this year. The duo also played three sets in their final pool contest.

Jade Race and Kim Hildreth, as well as Tambre Nobles and Melissa Fuchs Powell, participated in the qualifier but were eliminated in the first round.

Sponcil and Cannon celebrating their victory

Rhodes Futures

At the Rhodes Futures tournament on Rhodes Island, Greece, Logan Webber and Miles Evans achieved a remarkable feat, winning the silver medal. Over the course of three days, Webber and Evans faced eight challenging matches. They began their journey by winning two matches in the qualifier on Friday and continued their winning streak on Saturday with a 2-1 record, securing a spot in the quarterfinals. They triumphed over a French pair in the quarterfinals with a 2-0 victory, which included an intense second set that ended at 36-34. In the semifinals, they played a thrilling three-set match, ultimately advancing to the gold medal match. However, they fell short in the final game against Switzerland’s Yves Haussener and Quentin Metral, settling for the silver medal.

Tham Khảo Thêm:  Alpinetgheep: A Winning Streak at the Moscow Grand Slam

This accomplishment marks Webber’s first international medal in four events, while Evans adds two more medals to his collection this season, bringing his career total to six.

Madrid Futures

Audrey and Nicole Nourse, talented athletes from the U.S. Beach U21 National Team, returned to the FIVB tournament stage after a three-year hiatus at the Madrid Futures. Although they were unable to progress past the second round of qualification, their participation serves as a promising step forward in their volleyball careers.

The Beach Pro Tour continues with an Elite 16 event in Ostrava, Czech Republic, scheduled for the upcoming weekend. The Ostrava qualifier is set to take place on Wednesday, May 25, followed by the main draw starting on Thursday, May 26.

FAQs

  • Q: How many medals did the U.S. Beach National Team win?

    • A: The U.S. Beach National Team won three medals.
  • Q: Who emerged as the champions of the Kusadasi Challenge?

    • A: Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss emerged as the champions of the Kusadasi Challenge.
  • Q: Which team did Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss defeat in the final match?

    • A: Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss defeated Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho del Solar in the final match.
  • Q: How many international tournaments have Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss won this year?

    • A: Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss have won two international tournaments this year.
  • Q: Who won the bronze medal at the Kusadasi Challenge?

    • A: Sarah Sponcil and Terese Cannon won the bronze medal at the Kusadasi Challenge.
Tham Khảo Thêm:  U.S. Men Play Hard but Fall to France at VNL

Conclusion

The U.S. Beach National Team demonstrated their exceptional skills and determination at the Kusadasi Challenge and Rhodes Futures tournaments, securing three well-deserved medals. Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss stood out as the champions of the Kusadasi Challenge, while Logan Webber and Miles Evans claimed the silver medal at the Rhodes Futures. These achievements are a testament to the team’s dedication and the strength of American beach volleyball. As they continue their journey, we eagerly await their future successes in Ostrava and beyond.