Partain/Benesh Headed to Paris Quarterfinals

PARIS, France (August 5, 2024) – Running its option offense with great effectiveness, the U.S. beach team of Miles Partain and Andy Benesh defeated Paolo Nicolai and Samuele Cottafava of Italy, 2-0 (21-17, 21-18) on Monday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Paris Olympics.

“We are just trying to be aggressive and be the best we are capable of, win or lose. Our vision is farther than any one game, even here at the Olympics,” Partain said of the “on two” offense. “Playing before thousands of fans is awesome and something I will remember for the rest of my life.”

Partain/Benesh will play in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday, Aug 7 against the winner of today’s Round of 16 matchup between Cherif Younousse and Ahmed Tijan of Qatar and Chile’s brother combination of Marco and Esteban Grimalt.

Benesh scored 15 points on eight kills with match-highs of five blocks and two service aces. Partain scored 13 points on 12 kills, many of which came on second balls, and an ace. Though they trailed in kills (23-20), Partain/Benesh led 3-2 in aces, made four fewer errors, and did not give up a point on a block.

“We are going to live and die by the sword (on two offense). We may crash and burn but we are OK with that. We are going to keep doing it no matter what,” Benesh stated. “When you play the best teams in the world, it’s going to be a dog fight every time and we were lucky to come out on top today.”

A Benesh ace down the middle gave the U.S. an 8-5 lead in the opening set. With the score 9-7, Benesh scored easily off a jump set by Partain and followed with a block. After a hitting error that was well long made it 12-7, Italy used a timeout two points shy of the technical timeout.

Italy had a swing to pull within two points with the score 18-15, but Benesh’s third block made it 19-15. A service error gave the U.S. set point. After an Italy kill, Benesh scored on a second ball to finish the set. Benesh led all players with nine points on five kills, three blocks and an ace. Partain recorded five kills. The U.S. scored seven points off opponent errors, while making just four of their own.

Neither team went on a run for the first half of the second set. A Partain kill over the top of the block gave the U.S. an 11-10 lead at the technical timeout. The U.S. scored three of the next four points, punctuated by another Benesh block that led to an Italy timeout.

A hitting error and a Partain ace gave the U.S. its biggest lead, five points, at 16-11. An Italy ace kill and ace cut the lead to three, but Partain scored on a second ball and Benesh served an ace to regain the five-point advantage. Nicolai/Cottafava drew within three points, 19-16, but Partain put another ball down to set up match point. A kill and block by four-time Olympian Nicolai brought Italy within two points, 20-18.

After the U.S. used its timeout, a hitting error ended the match and sent Partain/Benesh to the quarterfinal round. Partain recorded set-bests of seven kills and eight points, adding an ace. Benesh totaled six points on three kills, two blocks and an ace.