Olympics 2024 Outlook After Ostrava 2023: Partain/Benesh Rise, Sponcil/Cannon Shine; Mol/Sorum Claim Top Spot

Following their impressive third-place finish at the Volleyball World Ostrava Elite16, Miles Partain and Andy Benesh soared up the rankings, advancing 15 spots to an impressive No. 17 in the world rankings and securing the third position among American teams. Their remarkable performance solidifies their status as formidable contenders on the global stage.

Meanwhile, the dynamic duo of Anders Mol and Christian Sorum clinched victory in Ostrava, claiming the coveted No. 1 spot in the rankings. Their outstanding achievement marks a significant milestone in their illustrious careers, further establishing them as a dominant force in beach volleyball. Sweden’s David Ahman and Jonatan Hellvig, who withdrew from their quarterfinal match against Partain and Benesh, traded places with Mol and Sorum, now occupying the second spot in the rankings.

On the women’s side, the USA’s Sarah Sponcil and Terese Cannon delivered a stellar performance, securing second place in Ostrava and jumping from ninth to fifth in the rankings. Their remarkable ascent highlights their growing prowess and sets the stage for future success on the international circuit. Meanwhile, American pairs Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, and Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss, continue to lead the standings, maintaining their 1-2 positions despite tying for fifth place in Ostrava. They are closely trailed by Brazilians Duda and Ana Patricia, who clinched victory in Ostrava, adding to the intense competition at the top.

Men’s Beach Volleyball Olympic Rankings

(updated June 5 after Volleyball World Ostrava Elite16)

1. Anders Mol, Christian Sorum, NORWAY, 4600 (4)
2. David Ahman, Jonatan Hellvig, SWEDEN, 4280 (4)
3. Nils Ehlers, Clemens Wickler, GERMANY, 3280 (4)
4. Evandro Goncalves, Arthur Mariano, BRAZIL, 3280 (6)
5. Adrian Gavira, Pablo Herrera, SPAIN, 3220 (5)
6. Michal Bryl, Bartosz Losiak, POLAND, 3100 (4)
7. Adrian Carambula, Alex Ranghieri, ITALY, 2980 (4)
8. Ondrej Perusic, David Schweiner, CZECH REPUBLIC, 2860 (3)
9. Andre Loyola, George Wanderley, BRAZIL, 2860 (5)
10. Alex Brouwer, Robert Meeuwsen, NETHERLANDS, 2740 (4)
11. Vitor Felipe, Renato Lima, BRAZIL, 2660 (5)
12. Tri Bourne, Chaim Schalk, USA, 2460 (5)
13. Moritz Pristauz, Robin Seidl, AUSTRIA, 2440 (5)
14. Theo Brunner, Trevor Crabb, USA, 2420 (5)
15. Sam Cottafava, Paolo Nicolai, ITALY, 2360 (4)
16. Matthew Immers, Steven van de Velde, NETHERLANDS, 2300 (4)
17. Andy Benesh, Miles Partain, USA, 2280 (3)
18. Julian Horl, Alex Horst, AUSTRIA, 2280 (5)
19. Stefan Boermans, Yorick de Groot, NETHERLANDS, 2260 (3)
20. Esteban Grimalt, Marco Grimalt, CHILE, 2220 (4)
21. Paul Burnett, Chris McHugh, AUSTRALIA, 2180 (5)
22. Cherif Samba, Ahmed Tijan, QATAR, 2160 (3)
23. Thomas Hodges, Zac Schubert, AUSTRALIA, 2040 (5)
24. Arnaud Gauthier, Youssef Krou, FRANCE, 1980 (3)

Women’s Beach Volleyball Olympic Rankings

(updated June 5 after Volleyball World Ostrava Elite16)

1. Kelly Cheng, Sara Hughes, USA, 4220 (5)
2. Kristen Nuss, Taryn Kloth, USA, 4120 (5)
3. Duda Lisboa, Ana Patricia Silva, BRAZIL, 4060 (4)
4. Mariafe Artacho, Taliqua Clancy, AUSTRALIA, 3700 (4)
5. Terese Cannon, Sarah Sponcil, USA, 3620 (5)
6. Carolina Salgado, Barbara Seixas, BRAZIL, 3340 (5)
7. Raisa Schoon, Katja Stam, NETHERLANDS, 3160 (4)
8. Valentina Gottardi, Marta Menegatti, ITALY, 3020 (5)
9. Talita Antunes, Thamela Coradelli, BRAZIL, 2800 (6)
10. Nina Brunner, Tanja Huberli, SWITZERLAND, 2760 (3)
11. Esmee Bobner, Zoe Verge-Depre, SWITZERLAND, 2760 (6)
12. Victoria Lopes, Taina Silva, BRAZIL, 2740 (5)
13. Tina Graudina, Anastasija Samoilova, LATVIA, 2580 (4)
14. Melissa Humana-Paredes, Brandie Wilkerson, CANADA, 2520 (3)
15. Barbora Hermannova, Marie-Sara Stochlova, CZECH REPUBLIC, 2500 (4)
16. Miki Ishii, Sayaka Mizoe, JAPAN, 2500 (6)
17. Andressa Cavalcanti, Vitoria De Souza, BRAZIL, 2440 (5)
18. Lezana Placette, Alexia Richard, FRANCE, 2300 (5)
19. Karla Borger, Sandra Ittlinger, GERMANY, 2280 (4)
20. Niina Ahtiainen, Taru Lahti, FINLAND, 2160 (5)
21. Betsi Flint, Julia Scoles, USA, 2120 (4)
22. Hailey Harward, Kelley Kolinske, USA, 2060 (5)
23. Lili Fernandez, Paula Soria, SPAIN, 2060 (5)
24. Svenja Muller, Cinja Tillmann, GERMANY, 1980 (3)