South Dakota Native Wins First Round Olympic Beach Volleyball Match

South Dakota Native Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss are the first American beach volleyball pair to go for Olympic gold without any connection to the Golden State. California has been producing beach volleyball stars since the two-person version of the game was invented there 100 years ago. But the former LSU teammates resisted the pull to the sport’s California hotbed and trained in New Orleans. They say they had all the support they needed in Nuss’ hometown. As the second-ranked team in the world, Kloth and Nuss are medal favorites.

And when the world’s second-ranked team made its debut with a 21-17, 21-14 victory over Canada at Eiffel Tower Stadium in Paris on Saturday night, it was the first American beach volleyball pair ever to go for Olympic gold without any connection to the Golden State.

They continue their Olympic play today at 3pm against Australia