The Beach Volleyball Women’s Tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics kicked off with an impressive performance by U.S. gold medal hopefuls Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes. The American duo began their Olympic campaign with a dominant straight-sets victory, defeating Czechia’s Marie-Sara Stochlova and Barbora Hermannova 21-16, 21-11 at the iconic Eiffel Tower Stadium.
Cheng and Hughes, the 2023 world champions, demonstrated why they are considered top contenders for the gold medal. In the first set, the Americans went on a crucial five-point run towards the end, establishing a 21-16 lead and setting the tone for the match. This momentum carried over into the second set, where Cheng and Hughes showcased their tactical prowess with multiple drop shots that exploited gaps in the Czech defense. The result was a commanding 21-11 win to secure the match.
Statistically, Cheng and Hughes outclassed their opponents across the board. They went 25-for-49 on the attack, more than doubling the output of Stochlova and Hermannova, who managed 12-for-43. The Americans also excelled in defensive plays, recording 20 digs compared to Czechia’s 14. Both teams were evenly matched in blocks, with two each, but the U.S. pair had a clear edge in service aces (3-1) despite committing more service faults (5-2).
The standout performance of Cheng and Hughes not only met but exceeded the high expectations set for them as they embark on what is anticipated to be a deep and successful run in the women’s beach volleyball tournament. Their decisive victory in the preliminary round has undoubtedly set the stage for further success as they continue to pursue Olympic glory in Paris.
