Taryn Kloth, a native of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, made history as the first female Olympian from Creighton University by winning her Olympic beach volleyball opener in Paris alongside her partner Kristen Nuss. The duo defeated the Canadian team in straight sets, showcasing their exceptional skills despite their unconventional path to the sport.
In an inspiring Olympic debut, Taryn Kloth and her partner Kristen Nuss, representing the United States, triumphed over the Canadian team of Heather Bansley and Sophie Bukovec in straight sets at the Paris Olympics. This victory marked a significant milestone not only for Kloth, who became the first female Olympian from Creighton University, but also for the duo's unique journey to the top of beach volleyball without the traditional California training grounds.
Kloth and Nuss dominated their Canadian opponents with scores of 21-17 and 21-14 in their first match of the tournament held at the Eiffel Tower Stadium. Kloth showcased her prowess with 10 kills and three blocks, while Nuss contributed with 14 kills and 17 digs. Their performance was particularly notable as they managed to maintain control throughout the game, leveraging their skills to secure a comfortable win against the 22nd-ranked Canadian team.
Unlike most American beach volleyball Olympians who traditionally train in California, Kloth and Nuss prepared for the Olympics in Louisiana. This unconventional choice was driven by the high costs associated with training in California and the duo's desire to pave a new path in the sport. Their success challenges the norm and demonstrates that top-level athletes can emerge from non-traditional environments.
Kloth and Nuss are set to continue their Olympic journey with upcoming matches against other top-ranked teams. Their next game is against the Australian duo of Mariafe Artacho and Taliqua Clancy. With their eyes set on advancing through the tournament, Kloth and Nuss aim to leverage their unique strengths and teamwork to overcome the challenges ahead and possibly secure a medal for Team USA.
Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss have not only achieved a significant milestone by winning their Olympic opener but have also inspired many by demonstrating that success in beach volleyball can come from any background. Their journey from indoor courts in Nebraska and Louisiana to the sands of Paris serves as a testament to their dedication, skill, and the evolving landscape of beach volleyball.
"We kind of said we wanted to rewrite the script, and kind of change that. You had to move out to California. You had to live in California to make it into something in this sport. And I feel like we really done a good job of kind of changing that." - Kristen Nuss