AVP Next Gold - Atlantic City, NJ
August 1-2, 2020: Atlantic City
“This was my first, big AVP event. The first game I was very timid with my lack of experience but Kristen so kindly reminded me of the necessary action of breathing. I was blown away as to how many incredible beach volleyball players crowded the beach. It was an experience that I will never forget as a South Dakota native where beach volleyball is a foreign concept”
- Taryn Kloth
“All I remember is Taryn being terrified. I don’t think I will ever forget that. I literally had to remind her to breathe.”
- Kristen Nuss
After 7 matches in 2 days we came out victorious. We did not drop a set all weekend against some very talented competition. Our opponents included (in this order): Lexy Denaburg/ Maddie Anderson, Sara Harper/Bree Scarbrough, Abbey Roam/Lina Russo, Jessica Gaffney/Chelsey Ross, Delaynie Maple/Megan Kraft, Carly Skjodt/Katie Dickens, & Katie Horton/Carly Kan.
Atlantic City was pretty much our first BIG tournament. It was an opportunity for us to play against higher caliber teams and really test ourselves to see if we could compete with them. I was already convinced we could, but my less experienced partner Taryn had some doubts. It was at 3-3, right before our first side switch in the first match of the tournament. We were playing against UCLA’s Lexy Denaburg and FSU’s Maddie Anderson, when I knew I had to bestow some of my calmness onto Taryn. She was nervous or shall I say terrified, it was her first ever AVP tournament so rightfully so to have some nerves. Back to 3-3, Taryn is walking back to serve and her eyes looked like she had just seen a ghost, clothes completed soaked (yes, her first ever AVP game was played in the pouring rain - not ideal), and I could not tell but I bet a very dry mouth. I looked at her and said, “you know you can breathe, right?” We both smiled at each other as the rain continued to just absolutely soak us and I returned my focus to earning our next point (praying that Lexy does not hit the 10lb ball into my face). I think this story perfectly sums up our first AVP tournament together… Taryn being so new to the sport, me calming her down, and the two of us realizing that this partnership could be something special.
By: Kristen Nuss
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