Beach volleyball players Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh defeat Morocco, overcoming controversy over match points and heat
Beach volleyball players Miles Partain and Andrew Benesh defeat Morocco, overcoming controversy over match points and heat
On July 27, 2024, in Paris, Andy Benesh and Miles Partain celebrate a point during the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
PARIS—On center court at Eiffel Tower Stadium, Andrew Benesh and Miles Partain survived despite intense heat, a tough Moroccan pair, and an unexpected reversal of their apparent winning match point.
In October 2022, the California beach volleyball pair defeated Mohammed Abicha and Zouheir Elgraoui, 21-12, 28-26, to become the first American players to win on the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour. The match lasted forty-five minutes. Under bright sky, the temperature reached 92 degrees Fahrenheit with 45% humidity. The temperature of the sand was above 110 degrees.
When the game was taking a break, volunteers would softly spritz spectators with water to relieve the intense heat and tire both teams. The famous French a memorial towered over the mid-afternoon match, but it offered little shade to keep the temperature down for the near capacity throng of 10,226 people.
When questioned about playing in the intense heat, Partain responded, “It was a big factor, especially for blocking and if you’re getting served and getting a lot of jumps in.” “It’s hot, but the water breaks help.” He said, “Andy sweats a lot; I don’t sweat a lot,” which made his reliable buddy laugh.
Following Benesh’s spectacular dink that turned the second set score to 25-23, it seemed as though the match had become Olympic history. Well, game, set, match. Not so quickly.
Dropping to the beach, Benesh lifted his arms in triumph—and maybe tiredness as well. Partain strolled over to take part in the festivities. The Moroccans, however, disputed the winning point, arguing that Benesh had touched the net with his arm. Polish challenge referee Robert Bronisz made the final verdict. It was decided that Benesh had licked the net with his arm after a long wait. An unofficial protest followed, but to no effect.
Benesh clarified, speaking from his viewpoint, “There’s definitely times when you don’t feel it, but I’m almost positive that the ball came off my arm and clipped the top of the tape.”
“I was attempting to re-assert it and obtain an other viewpoint. Though there are instances where it may appear as though I struck the net, Benesh stated, “I am confident that I did not net, but it happens—they’re doing the best they can.
On July 30, 2024, in Paris, Andy Benesh tries to stop a Moroccan attack during the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
The match went on after the score was changed to 24–24. The review’s conclusion gave the Moroccan pair newfound vigor. Benesh and Partain had to be strong and dig deep. The Americans eventually won the game, 28–26, a few match points later. No Moroccan challenges this time.
“When something like that happens, it’s easy to roll over, but Miles was great supporting me, and I think we stayed in the moment,” Benesh remarked. Although there is a lot of pressure here, we have faith in our group and our skills. I believed that when it counted, we were decisive.
Partain remarked, “You could feel the pressure, but we were just trying to stay inside our heads and not go outside.” “I believe we handled that fairly well.”
Partain scored fifteen, while Benesh added sixteen, making for a balanced attack point total.
Despite having radically opposite traits, the pair has chemistry. Partain, 22, is the youngest beach volleyball player from the United States to have ever participated in an Olympic Games.
Benesh, 28, is a commanding figure at the net at six feet eight inches tall, towering above Partain at six feet three inches. The beach lads from California appear to get along well.
After dropping their first encounter to the Cubans Dias and Alayo in two sets on Saturday, Benesh and Partain bounced back on Tuesday. Brazil’s Evandro and Arthur will play next in Pool D on Thursday, August 1, in the afternoon.
Although it is believed that the temperature will drop over the next few days, the powerful Brazilian veterans are certain to bring the heat. Partain and Benesh will attempt to keep their Californian composure.
Partain declared, “We’ll just play as hard as we can and we have some scouting to do.” “We’re excited for the game; they’re a good team, and we’ve trained with them.”
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