Partain/Benesh Put in Strong Showing but Fall in Olympic Debut

PARIS, France (July 27, 2024) – The U.S. beach team of Miles Partain and Andy Benesh put in a strong effort but fell short in their debut match of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to Alayo/Diaz of Cuba 2-0 (21-18, 21-18).

Partain/Benesh will play their next pool match July 30 against Abicha/Elgraoui of Egypt at 6 a.m. PT (3 p.m. local). Their last pool match is August 1 vs. George/Andre of Brazil at 6 a.m. Pacific (3 p.m. local).

“I think their serving was really good, so I think that was the main difference maker and they were able to get us out of system and its difficult to side out against this level of teams,” Benesh said. “I’m proud of how we fought, and we will get better for the next one.”

The first set went back and forth until Cuba tied it at 16 and took the lead at 17 as part of an 8-0 run. The second set started back and forth once again, but Cuba was able to build a two-point gap at 7-9 that held for the rest of the match.

Cuba out-blocked the U.S. 7-2 in the match. Partain/Benesh scored eight points off opponent errors compared to five for Diaz/Alayo.

Partain said the team will regroup and refocus before their second pool match on Tuesday.

“We’ll debrief with our team and then we will go work out and get some early dinner,” Partain said. “We play with two days in between so we will figure out a strength training schedule in between, scout and all that.”