U.S. beach volleyball duo Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss defeated Australia's Taliqua Clancy and Mariafe Artacho in straight sets, 21-16, 21-16, taking an early lead in Pool B under the bright lights of the Eiffel Tower.
The victory was a significant statement by Kloth and Nuss, who triumphed over an Australian team that earned silver in Tokyo. The Americans showcased impressive composure and teamwork, exploiting Australian errors to secure the win.
The first set was competitive, featuring several three-point runs by the U.S. and a four-point streak by Australia. Clancy and Artacho challenged Kloth and Nuss defensively, testing their positioning throughout the set.
However, the former LSU teammates, who went undefeated in college in the 2021 season, adapted and excelled towards the end of the set with superior tactics and efficiency.
In the second set, while Clancy and Artacho initially kept pace, Kloth and Nuss gradually overpowered their opponents. Nuss, standing at 5-foot-6, continued to exploit defensive gaps with her signature floater, much like her performance against Canada.
Kloth and Nuss will next compete in Pool B against China on Thursday.
