As the 2024 Beach Pro Tour (BPT) season reaches its final stretch, the United States beach volleyball teams are finishing strong with impressive performances in the most recent tournaments. The U.S. has not only shown its dominance in international competitions but also looks ahead to closing the year with a bang. This week’s beach update dives into the success of U.S. teams at the BPT Challenge Haikou and looks forward to the upcoming BPT Challenge Chennai in India. With just two weeks remaining until the last Beach Pro Tour events of the year, the competition is heating up, and the American squads are determined to add more medals to their tally.
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U.S. Triumphs at BPT Challenge Haikou: Cory and Caldwell Capture Gold
The latest BPT Challenge in Haikou, China, proved to be a breakthrough event for the U.S. beach volleyball teams. Evan Cory and Cody Caldwell delivered an exhilarating gold medal performance, while Toni Rodriguez and Molly Shaw earned silver in the women’s competition, capping off an impressive outing for the U.S. squad.
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Cory and Caldwell, both determined to make their mark, had a challenging road to the gold medal. Starting in the qualification rounds, they needed to overcome two rounds of qualification before securing a place in the main draw. Their journey was far from easy, with the duo pushed to three sets in four of their matches. This series of tough battles showcased their resilience and determination to secure the coveted title.
In the final, Cory and Caldwell faced off against Thomas Hodges and Zachary Schubert from Australia, both of whom are set to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics. The U.S. men defeated the Olympians in a thrilling 2-0 victory, with set scores of 23-21 and 23-21, clinching their gold medal. The match demonstrated Cory and Caldwell’s skill and focus under pressure, with key plays that allowed them to maintain control against a formidable opponent.
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On the women’s side, Rodriguez and Shaw had to fight through two rounds of qualification before reaching the semifinals, where they emerged victorious in a stunning 2-0 win (21-13, 21-18) over Lezana Placette and Alexia Richard from France, both of whom will be representing their country at the 2024 Olympics. The American duo then faced off against the Chinese team of Xue and J.J. Zeng in the final. Despite their strong showing, Rodriguez and Shaw fell to the Chinese pair 2-0 (21-15, 21-15), earning the silver medal for the U.S.
Despite falling short in the final, Rodriguez and Shaw’s silver medal finish was a testament to their hard work and perseverance throughout the tournament. Both teams’ performances at BPT Challenge Haikou further solidified the U.S. as a force to be reckoned with in the international beach volleyball scene.
BPT Challenge Chennai: U.S. Teams Ready for More Success
Following the success in Haikou, the U.S. beach volleyball teams have already set their sights on the next challenge—BPT Challenge Chennai in India. The tournament is set to take place from November 21-24, and U.S. teams are gearing up for another round of intense competition. A total of 12 U.S. teams will be competing in Chennai, featuring both male and female athletes who are determined to continue their strong performances.
Among the U.S. women’s teams, Rodriguez and Shaw will be joined by other dynamic duos such as Alaina Chacon and Molly Phillips, Savvy Simo and Abby Van Winkle, Hailey Harward and Kylie Deberg, and Maddie Anderson and Brook Bauer. Each pair has demonstrated impressive skills throughout the season and is looking to carry that momentum into Chennai.
On the men’s side, Cory and Caldwell will once again take the court, as well as other competitive teams including Theo Brunner and Taylor Crabb, Zephyr Dew and Derek Bradford, Chaim Schalk and James Shaw, Jordan Hoppe and Avery Drost, Charlie Siragusa and John Schwengel, Tim Brewster and Wyatt Harrison, Ben Vaught and Nate Pugh, Mark Bucknam and Ryan Ierna, and Marin Lorenz and Adam Roberts.
One particularly interesting pairing in Chennai is the duo of Theo Brunner and Taylor Crabb. Brunner, who recently parted ways with his former partner Trevor Crabb, has teamed up with Trevor’s brother, Taylor, for the next two events. After a year-long hiatus from international competition, Taylor Crabb will make his return to the FIVB circuit alongside Brunner. The pairing promises to bring a fresh dynamic to the competition, and many are curious to see how they will fare together.
Brunner, who is nearing the end of his career, has expressed his desire to help younger players while continuing to perform at a high level. This new partnership with Taylor Crabb might mark an exciting new chapter for Brunner, who has been a prominent figure in U.S. beach volleyball.
Looking Ahead: U.S. Teams Prepare for BPT Futures Pompano Beach
As the final BPT events of the year approach, the excitement is not just about the Challenge events in Chennai and the Philippines but also the inaugural BPT Futures Pompano Beach tournament. This event will take place in Pompano Beach, Florida, from December 5-8, 2024, marking the first-ever Beach Pro Tour event held on U.S. soil.
The Futures event in Pompano Beach will feature 23 emerging U.S. beach volleyball teams competing for a chance to prove themselves on the international stage. This event is part of the larger Beach Volleyball Festival, which will also include a Pan American Zone Beach ParaVolley event and a Beach National Qualifier for junior players ranging from 10U to 18U. The event promises to be an exciting and unique experience for both athletes and spectators alike, as the best up-and-coming talent in U.S. beach volleyball competes in this high-energy tournament.
The festival is organized by the Florida Region of USA Volleyball and USA Volleyball, and it is expected to be a major highlight for the local volleyball community. With such a dynamic and diverse lineup, the Futures Pompano Beach tournament offers the perfect opportunity for young players to showcase their skills and potentially make a name for themselves in the sport.
The U.S. Beach Volleyball Teams are Ready to Close Out the 2024 Season with Strength
The final few weeks of the 2024 Beach Pro Tour season are shaping up to be exciting for the U.S. teams, with the challenge of winning additional medals and making a statement on the international stage. With strong performances at BPT Challenge Haikou and the upcoming events in Chennai, the U.S. beach volleyball teams are showing the world their skill, tenacity, and determination. The competition at BPT Futures Pompano Beach will also be an exciting new chapter for U.S. athletes, as they aim to close out the year with a bang and set themselves up for success in the upcoming seasons. As the year comes to a close, the future of U.S. beach volleyball looks brighter than ever, and the athletes continue to pave the way for future generations in the sport.
