Taryn Brasher and Kristen Cruz etched their names into beach volleyball history on Sunday by winning the Manhattan Beach Open for the third consecutive year. The dominant duo defeated Kelly Cheng and Megan Kraft with a commanding performance at the Manhattan Beach Pier, posting scores of 21-18 and 21-16 in the women’s final. This achievement marks a significant milestone, as they become the first women’s team to accomplish this feat since legendary players Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings won four straight titles from 2005 to 2008.
Brasher and Cruz, who claimed titles in 2024 and 2025 before entering this year’s tournament as the top seed, showcased their elite status throughout the weekend. The former LSU teammates swept all six opponents they faced, winning every set and maintaining an impressive average margin of victory of 4.7 points per set. Their path to the championship included a semifinal victory over Maddie Anderson and Alaina Chacon before their final matchup against the second-seeded Cheng and Kraft.
The partnership between Brasher and Cruz has flourished since their college days, reaching unprecedented heights in professional beach volleyball. The tandem represented the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics, completed an undefeated AVP League season in 2025, and achieved the number-one world ranking. Their three consecutive Manhattan Beach Open championships ensure their names will be permanently displayed on bronze plaques along the Volleyball Walk of Fame at the pier, cementing their legacy among the sport’s greatest teams.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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