Nuss and Brasher Lead American Teams into Round of 12 in Gstaad

In an impressive display of skill and determination, defending champions Kristen Nuss and Taryn Brasher led a trio of American beach volleyball teams into the Round of 12 at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Elite event held in Gstaad, Switzerland, on July 3, 2025. The Olympic athletes secured their spot with consecutive victories, finishing first in their pool and showcasing their intent to retain the title they won in 2024.

The competition in Gstaad, a well-known venue for beach volleyball, has attracted top athletes from around the globe. Nuss and Brasher, both 28 years old and seasoned competitors, opened their campaign by defeating French Olympians Lézana Placette and Alexia Richard with a straight-set win of 2-0 (21-13, 21-19). They followed this with another seamless victory against the German duo of Sandra Ittlinger and Anna-Lena Grüne, again winning in straight sets (21-18, 21-15).

Their performance not only solidified their dominant position in Pool A but also highlighted their ongoing preparation for the upcoming Paris Olympics. According to Nuss, "We came into this tournament focused on maintaining our championship title, and starting strong is crucial for our momentum."

Joining Nuss and Brasher in the Round of 12 are fellow Americans Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft, who topped Pool E after defeating Dutch qualifiers Emi van Driel and Wies Bekhuis (21-12, 21-12) and Latvian Olympians Tina Graudina and Anastasija Samoilova (21-18, 21-15). Cannon expressed optimism about their chances, stating, "We are here to compete fiercely and aim for the top."

Kelly Cheng and Molly Shaw, another American pair, faced a tougher road in Pool F. Their journey included two tie-breaker matches, culminating in a crucial win over compatriots Julia Donlin and Lexy Denaburg (2-1: 25-23, 14-21, 15-13) and a thrilling upset victory against the Swiss Vergé-Dépré sisters, Anouk and Zoé, in three sets (19-21, 23-21, 19-17). Shaw remarked, "Every match is a learning experience, and we’re thrilled to advance."

The host country’s hopes rested on the shoulders of Tanja Hüberli and Leona Kernen, who emerged as the top team in Pool B after defeating Spanish Olympians Daniela Álvarez and Tania Moreno (2-0: 21-19, 26-24) and Dutch players Raisa Schoon and Mila Konink (2-0: 21-10, 21-15). Hüberli noted, "We’re excited to represent Switzerland and aim for a strong finish in front of our home crowd."

In Pool C, Canadian silver medalists Brandie Wilkerson and Melissa Humana-Paredes showcased their prowess with a decisive victory over Ukrainian competitors Maryna Hladun and Tetiana Lazarenko (2-0: 21-15, 21-13) and a hard-fought win against German qualifiers Louisa Lippmann and Linda Bock (2-1: 21-14, 30-32, 15-7). Meanwhile, German reigning European champions Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann battled through a demanding pool stage, required to play six sets to secure their advancement from Pool D.

As the tournament progresses, teams will take a brief respite on Friday before returning to compete in the Round of 18. The Round of 12 and quarterfinals are scheduled for Saturday, while the semifinals and medal matches will conclude the event on Sunday. The Gstaad event not only showcases elite beach volleyball but also serves as a precursor to the competitive landscape leading up to the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The Beach Pro Tour Gstaad Elite continues to draw attention from fans and analysts alike, highlighting the growing popularity of beach volleyball on the international stage. Fans can watch the matches live on VBTV, ensuring that the excitement of this thrilling sport reaches audiences worldwide. As teams prepare for the challenges ahead, the quest for gold remains the core objective, promising exhilarating matches in the days to come.