Former LSU beach volleyball stars Taryn Kloth, Kristen Nuss open Paris Olympics with a victory

The former LSU teammates are expected to compete for a gold medal in their Olympic debut.

Former LSU beach volleyball teammates [autotag]Taryn Kloth[/autotag] and Kristen Nuss have remained a dynamic duo as they compete together internationally, and the No. 2-seeded pair began its showing at the 2024 Paris Olympics in fashion.

The Americans won their opening match in two sets, winning the first 21-17 and the second 21-14 against an overmatched Canadian squad in front of a packed crowd. They will be back in action on Monday as they take on Australia.

“I think our coach, Drew Hamilton, really reminded us that we are literally playing the exact same game that we do every day at practice,” Kloth said, per On3’s Thomas Goldkamp. “And yes it’s a much bigger crowd and there are way more people, but it really is pass, set, hit and do what we do every day.”

“How do you describe that? That was just absolutely insane,” Nuss said. “Far exceeded my expectations. To pack this place out, it’s huge. This is just surreal.”

The former LSU athletes have been competing together since they graduated in 2021. They currently rank No. 2 in the world and are expected to contend for a gold medal after earning bronze in the 2023 Beach World Championships

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