Over the past month, a number of USA Beach Volleyball pairings have announced the end of their partnerships which has sparked a trickle-down effect on the layout of USA Beach duos.
Since the Fort Lauderdale Major event a month ago, just one American duo has remained untouched after competing at the tournament – April Ross/Alix Klineman. The duo began their partnership in November 2017 following Ross’ season with Lauren Fendrick. Another pairing that hasn’t changed is Kerri Walsh Jennings/Nicole Branagh, who has not competed in a competition together since Walsh Jennings dislocated her right shoulder at the 2017 FIVB World Tour event in Olsztyn, Poland.
See the how the new teams look:
Sara Hughes/Summer Ross
Hughes broke up the most successful collegiate pairing when she decided to team up with Ross, leaving long-time partner Claes. While Ross left Brooke Sweat following their bronze medal performance at the Fort Lauderdale Major. This was the pairing that really set off the massive partner upheaval.
Partner history
| Player | Partner(s) | Years Together |
# of Competitions Played
|
| Sara Hughes | Kelly Claes | 2013-18 | 28 |
| Summer Ross | Jane Croson | 2008-10 | 8 |
| Tara Roenicke | 2010-12 | 5 | |
| Emily Day | 2013-14 | 30 | |
| Lane Carico | 2015-16 | 29 | |
| Jennifer Fopma | 2015 | 6 | |
| Brooke Sweat | 2017-18 | 16 |
Kelly Claes/Brittany Hochevar
Claes took to find her new partner in an experienced 36-year-old Hochevar, who has been on the World Tour circuit for 11 seasons. Hochevar’s previous partner, Day, saw good results domestically on the AVP Tour but failed to replicate the results internationally.
Partner history
| Player | Partner(s) | Years Together |
# of Competitions Played
|
| Kelly Claes | Sara Hughes | 2013-18 | 28 |
| Brittany Hochevar | Lauren Fendrick | 2007 & 2013 | 23 |
| Keao Burdine | 2007-08 | 11 | |
| Jennifer Fopma | 2008-09, 2011 & 2015-16 | 41 | |
| Dianne DeNecochea | 2010 | 8 | |
| Lisa Fitzgerald | 2011 | 11 | |
| Angie Akers | 2012 | 15 | |
| Ali McColloch | 2014 | 5 | |
| Lane Carico | 2014 | 6 | |
| Heather McGuire | 2015 | 9 | |
| Emily Day | 2017-18 | 25 |
Lauren Fendrick/Brooke Sweat
Fendrick/Sweat went the easy route when choosing their new partners, reigniting their partnership that lasted from 2014-16. The two competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics and have decided to make another Olympic run together.
Partner history
| Player | Partner(s) | Years Together |
# of Competitions played
|
| Lauren Fendrick | Nicole Branagh | 2004 & 2013 | 8 |
| Pat Keller | 2006 | 6 | |
| Brittany Hochevar | 2007 & 2013 | 23 | |
| Paula Roca | 2007-08 | 14 | |
| Ashley Ivy Swift | 2008-10 | 37 | |
| Brooke Niles | 2010-12 | 40 | |
| Brooke Sweat | 2014-16 | 41 | |
| Lane Carico | 2017-18 | 4 | |
| Brooke Sweat | Kristy Hartley | 2007-08 | 6 |
| Morgan Flarity | 2009 | 7 | |
| Kristen Batt-Rohr | 2009-11 | 24 | |
| Jennifer Fopma | 2012-13 | 33 | |
| Lauren Fendrick | 2014-16 | 41 | |
| Summer Ross | 2016-18 | 16 |
Kelley Larsen/Emily Stockman
The combination of Larsen/Stockman arose when long-time partners Larsen/Betsi Flint failed to advance to the main draw of the Fort Lauderdale Major. Now, Larsen has teamed up with Stockman who left Kim Di Cello who was her partner in 2017, with the pair winning the one-star World Tour event in Malaysia.
Partner history
| Player | Partner(s) | Years Together |
# of Competitions Played
|
| Kelley Larsen | Betsi Flint | 2014-18 | 38 |
| Emily Stockman | Leah Hinkey | 2011-13 | 10 |
| Traci Weamer | 2014 | 5 | |
| Ali McColloch | 2014-15 | 13 | |
| Amanda Dowdy | 2016 | 8 | |
| Kim DiCello | 2017-18 | 18 |
Emily Day/Betsi Flint
Day moves onto her 13th career partner by teaming up with Flint. Throughout her career, Day has won a number of competitions, mainly AVP Tour events with Brittany Hochevar, Day’s most recent partner. Flint, leaves Larsen with whom she spent the majority of her career outside of partnering with a number of players one time at various events.
Partner history
| Player | Partner(s) | Years Together |
# of Competitions Played
|
| Emily Day | Heather McGuire | 2007 & 2010-12 | 34 |
| Angela Bryan | 2009-10 | 7 | |
| Claire D’Amore | 2009 | 5 | |
| Summer Ross | 2013-14 | 30 | |
| Jennifer Kessy | 2015-16 | 30 | |
| Brittany Hochevar | 2016-18 | 25 | |
| Betsi Flint | Kelley Larsen | 2014-18 | 38 |
Leave a Reply