Brasher and Cruz Secure Historic Three-Peat at Manhattan Beach Open
Source: Los Angeles Times Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
Ad eligibility review: sensitive-topic
On a sun-drenched Sunday afternoon at the Manhattan Beach Pier, Taryn Brasher and Kristen Cruz etched their names into the sport’s history books. The top-seeded pair defeated Kelly Cheng and Megan Kraft in straight sets, 21-17, 21-19, to win their third consecutive AVP Manhattan Beach Open title. It was the tournament’s first three-peat since Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings dominated the event from 2004 to 2006, a feat that has become a benchmark for greatness in American beach volleyball.
The match was a masterclass in pressure defense. Brasher and Cruz never allowed Cheng and Kraft to establish a rhythm, digging out every hard-driven spike and forcing errors at the net. The champions opened the first set with a 5-1 run, building a lead they never relinquished. Cheng and Kraft clawed back to within two points at 18-16, but Brasher answered with a perfectly placed jump serve that forced an overpass, which Cruz crushed for a winner. The set ended on a service error from Kraft, giving the defending champions a 1-0 lead.
The second set was tighter, with five ties before Brasher and Cruz pulled away at 15-13. Cheng, known for her explosive attacks, managed to land a few cross-court winners, but the consistency of Brasher’s blocking and Cruz’s soft hands at the net proved decisive. Match point came after a long rally, with Cruz scrambling to dig a shot and then setting Brasher for a sharp angle kill. The crowd erupted as the pair embraced, their three-peat secured.
“It’s surreal,” Brasher said afterward. “We knew they would come out fighting, but we trusted our system. Every point felt like a battle, and we just stayed calm.” Cruz echoed the sentiment, adding, “This tournament means so much to us. Manhattan Beach has a special energy, and to win three in a row here is something we’ll never forget.”
The victory capped a remarkable run for the duo, who have now won five AVP titles together. Their chemistry on the court is undeniable, blending Brasher’s powerful serve-and-block game with Cruz’s court vision and defensive grit. Opponents have struggled to find a weakness, and Sunday’s final was no exception.
Kelly Cheng, who won the 2023 AVP Best Defensive Player award alongside partner Megan Kraft, acknowledged the champions’ superiority. “They played an almost flawless match,” she said. “We had our chances, but they just wouldn’t let us get comfortable. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
The tournament, held annually at the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier, drew thousands of fans who lined the sand and packed the bleachers. The event is considered the crown jewel of the AVP season, and the three-peat adds another layer of prestige to Brasher and Cruz’s legacy. For the first time since the May-Treanor/Walsh Jennings era, the Manhattan Beach Open has a dominant duo that seems poised to extend their reign.
As the season winds down, all eyes will be on the AVP Championships in Chicago next month. Brasher and Cruz enter as the top seed, carrying the momentum of a historic three-peat. But the competition is fierce, with Cheng and Kraft, as well as other rising teams, eager to dethrone the champions. For now, the spotlight belongs to the pair who have made Manhattan Beach their personal kingdom.
The victory also resonated beyond the beach. Social media buzzed with tributes, and former champions like May-Treanor offered congratulations. “Winning three in a row anywhere is incredible, but at Manhattan Beach, it’s legendary,” May-Treanor posted on X. “These two are building something special.”
With the trophy raised and the sand settled, Brasher and Cruz can savor their achievement. But the competitive fire still burns. “We’re not done yet,” Cruz said with a smile. “We want to keep improving, keep winning. This is just the beginning.”
Article commentary
The three-peat by Taryn Brasher and Kristen Cruz at the Manhattan Beach Open is more than a milestone—it is a statement. In a sport where parity often reigns, their sustained dominance stands out as a rare achievement. The last time any team won three consecutive titles at this event was during the reign of Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings, a duo widely regarded as the greatest in beach volleyball history. By equaling that feat, Brasher and Cruz have not only entered elite company but have also raised the question: Are they the next great dynasty? What makes their success particularly compelling is the style of play. Unlike the power-dominated era of the 2000s, Brasher and Cruz rely on an older, more cerebral approach—defensive tenacity, ball control, and tactical patience. In an age where hard serving and explosive jumping often dictate outcomes, they have brought back the art of the rally. Their ability to extend points, force errors, and capitalize on opponent mistakes has made them a nightmare to face. The final against Cheng and Kraft was a textbook example: the champions won not by overpowering, but by outlasting. Yet, this victory also invites scrutiny. The AVP tour has seen a shift in talent, with several top players either retiring or moving to international competitions. The depth of the field is arguably thinner than in the May-Treanor/Walsh Jennings era. Critics might argue that Brasher and Cruz’s dominance is partly a product of the current landscape. However, such a view overlooks the quality of their opponents. Kelly Cheng and Megan Kraft are no slouches—they have won multiple titles and are consistently ranked in the top five. The fact that Brasher and Cruz have beaten them repeatedly, often in straight sets, speaks to a genuine gap in skill and chemistry. Another layer to consider is the psychological aspect. Three-peats are notoriously difficult because complacency can creep in, and opponents study your every move. Brasher and Cruz have managed to stay hungry, showing no signs of fatigue or overconfidence. Their post-match comments revealed a grounded mindset, focused on the process rather than the achievement. This mental resilience is what separates good teams from great ones. Looking ahead, the challenge will be sustaining this level. The AVP Championships in Chicago will test whether they can carry momentum onto a different surface and against a refreshed field. Other teams, like the up-and-coming pair of Sarah Schermerhorn and Katie Horton, are improving rapidly. The target on Brasher and Cruz’s backs will only grow larger. But if their performance at Manhattan Beach is any indication, they are ready for the fight. From a broader perspective, the three-peat revives interest in domestic beach volleyball at a time when the sport is chasing Olympic relevance. Stars like Brasher and Cruz provide a narrative hook for casual fans, bridging the gap between the legendary past and the exciting present. Whether they can match the longevity of May-Treanor and Walsh remains to be seen, but for now, they have earned the right to be mentioned in the same breath. The Manhattan Beach Open has a new hallmark, and the legacy of Brasher and Cruz is just beginning to be written.