COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 24, 2023) – The U.S. teams of Corinne Quiggle/Sarah Murphy and Hagen Smith/Logan Webber are moving on to the quarterfinals of the Pan Am Games in Santiago, Chile, after a strong showing in pool play.
Pan Am Games
Both pairs went undefeated in pool play to earn berths in the quarterfinals on Wednesday. Quiggle/Murphy won their pool on Monday by defeating Gallay/Pereyra (ARG) 2-0 (24-22, 21-17).
“We’re very happy to be here in Santiago and playing in front of some lively fans,” Murphy said. “We’re playing well, executing a good game plan and making adjustments when we need to. Shoutout to Coach Fiapo! Looking to take the same energy into the quarterfinals on Wednesday.”
Smith/Webber were pushed to three sets twice in pools, but remained rock steady each time. The pair defeated Hannibal/Llambias (URU) 2-1 (21-16, 19-21, 15-12) to punch their ticket to the quarterfinals.
“It’s been great for us to experience something that is different from the usual world tour events,” Webber said. “Santiago has been an amazing host. Looking forward to continuing to improve going into our quarterfinal with the help of Coach Fiapo and all of the Team USA staff!”
Beach volleyball at the Pan Am Games runs Oct. 21-27.
Beach Pro Tour – Challenge Goa
Challenge Goa, India completed for U.S. Teams on Oct. 21 with three pairs making it out of pools.
Tri Bourne/Chaim Schalk advanced past the Round of 16 and into the quarterfinals by defeating Seiser/Grössig (AUT) 2-1 (18–21, 21–17, 15–10). They would face Seidl, R./Pristauz (AUT) in the quarterfinals, where the U.S. team lost 2-0 (23-21, 21-17). Bourne/Schalk finished tied for fifth place.
Miles Evans/Chase Budinger fell to Herrera/Gavira (ESP) in the Round of 16 2-0 (21-17, 21-12). The duo finished tied for ninth place.
Kim Hildreth/Teegan Van Gunst finished tied for ninth after falling in the Round of 16 to Ittlinger/Borger (GER) 2-0 (18–21, 32–34).
BPT Futures – Mallorca
BPT Futures Mallorca (men only) is Oct. 25-29 in Spain.
The U.S will be represented by Jake Urrutia/Wyatt Harrison. The duo will compete at the qualification stage of the tournament.
After this event, Futures Geelong, AUS will be the final BPT Futures event (Nov. 22) on the 2023 calendar.
World Rankings
The world rankings remain mostly unchanged from last week after the 2023 Beach World Championships provided some variation in the top 20.
World champions Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes are No. 2 overall with 8,320 points. Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss, who took bronze in Tlaxcala, are the world No. 3 team with 8,140 points. Both pairs still trail world No. 1 Ana Patricia/Duda (BRA), who have 9,540 points.
Julia Scoles and Betsi Flint are world No. 9 with 6,200 points.
In the men’s rankings, Miles Partain and Andy Benesh are world No. 3 with 7,100 points. Anders Mol/Christian Sorum (NOR) are world No. 1 with 9,100 points.
Trevor Crabb and Theo Brunner are ranked No. 20 with 5,040 points after their 4th place finish in Tlaxcala.
With their finish in Goa, Tri Bourne and Chaim Schalk are now ranked No. 9 in Provisional Olympic Rankings, 140 points behind Tr. Crabb/Brunner.
Current World Rankings – Women