ETCHED IN HISTORY - MBO CHAMPIONS
We are leaving California with our names figuratively etched on the Manhattan Beach pier
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Who We Are
About
TKN
The dynamic beach volleyball team of Kristen Nuss (5’6”) and Taryn Kloth (6’5”), known as “TKN” made their Olympic debut at the picturesque beach volleyball stadium located in front of the iconic Eiffel Tower.
The level of trust and respect they possess for each other in addition to their like-minded goals and work ethic forms the foundation to their success as a pair. They are excited to see where the journey takes them and hope you follow along!
Taryn
Kloth
Growing up in the great plains of wintery South Dakota where even indoor volleyball was void of any clubs or additional training, you would not expect to find someone from there making a name for herself in the beach volleyball world. However, that is exactly what is happening to the towering 6’4 mid-westerner, known for her calm and steady demeanor on the court which belies a fierce competitive drive.
After helping get the first indoor volleyball club off the ground in South Dakota, Taryn rose quickly in the high school ranks garnering South Dakota’s Gatorade player of the year honors in 2014, back-to-back state championships for Sioux Falls O’Gorman, a national championship for her club team (Kairos Elite), and a top 20 high school ranking in the country despite her limited exposure in the geographically disadvantaged Dakotas. She landed at Creighton University as their highest ranked recruit in school history, where she embarked on an All-American career as an outside hitter, helping lead the team to 4 consecutive Big East titles and 4 NCAA tournament appearances, including a school best elite 8 appearance in 2016.
Graduating early from Creighton, Taryn found herself being approached by beach volleyball programs as a graduate transfer, but took a quick detour playing with the USA Collegiate Indoor team traveling to China, Minnesota, and California. She ended up at LSU where she fell in love with the beach game and helped LSU to a #1 ranking before Covid unfortunately ended their 2020 season. She completed the 2021 season going a historical 36-0 on court 1 alongside Kristen Nuss.
Over the past several years Taryn has elevated her game and partnership with TKN to become the #1 ranked AVP Beach Volleyball Team and #2 ranked Team World-Wide. After winning many domestic and world title, the team of TKN will be representing the USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Meet
Kristen
Nuss
Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Kristen first began playing beach volleyball during her sophomore year in high school; but her success in sports spanned much further than just on the sand. Kristen led Mount Carmel Academy to three indoor volleyball state championships as well as two basketball championships. Her high school career concluded senior year with her being named Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year as well as New Orleans Sports Amateur Athlete of the Year.
All the while, it was beach volleyball that progressively set in as her number one love as she competed in various tournaments all throughout her high school years. She quickly committed to LSU Beach Volleyball during her junior year without talking to any other programs, as it had always been her dream to compete as a Tiger. Kristen stuck to her winning ways at the collegiate level, as she amassed the most career wins in LSU history, became the winningest player in collegiate beach volleyball history, and ensured her team appeared in the NCAA championship tournament every year of her tenure. Kristen, along with her teammate Claire Coppola, also became a two-time USAV pairs champion. Kristen graduated in December of 2020 but opted to return for one more semester of eligibility due to Covid-19 exceptions. Her winning ways continued but it was now with Taryn Kloth alongside her. The two had an astonishing season as LSU’s court 1 pair. They garnered a historical 36-0 record and helped lead the Sandy Tigs to a 4th place finish in the NCAA tournament.
Kristen is pound for pound one of the best players in the world and proven to compete on the worlds’ stage with anyone. Her continued development defensively tantalizes the opponents and captivates the audiences. Their growth and team chemistry has propelled TKN into the top seed representing USA Volleyball at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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