2024-07-30 01:30:03
In the Olympic debut for Chase Budinger and Miles Evans, the U.S. duo steamrolled the French team of Youssef Krou and Arnaud Gauthier-Rat, in straight sets. The U.S. dominated, 21-14, 21-11, to win its opening match of the Olympic beach volleyball tournament.
Budinger and Evans trounced their French competition in the first set, jumping out to a 10-4 lead in the Paris sun. Krou and Gauthier-Rat pulled to within five at 18-13, but the U.S. squad proved far too strong. Budinger and Evans flashed supreme chemistry and efficiency and held on for a first-set victory, 21-14. In that set, Evans posted 8 attack points and 6 successful digs to power the pair.
In the second set, the French looked much sharper to start, remaining within two points early on. But Budinger and Evans unleashed a 4-0 run to pull back ahead, 12-6. From there, momentum stuck with the Americans, and Budinger turned up his defense with a slew of blocks down the home stretch. Faced with match point, Budinger racked up his fourth block, showing off his 6-foot-7 frame and NBA-level hops, to seal a 21-11 win in the second set and a clean sweep victory.
