Brasher and Cruz on top at João Pessoa Elite

JOÃO PESSOA, Brazil, March 15, 2026.- Americans Taryn Brasher and Kristen Cruz (formerly Nuss) spoiled the Brazilian party in the first Elite event of the 2026 Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour season, winning the tournament held in João Pessoa on Sunday.

The Paris Olympians denied fan favorites and reigning Olympic champions Eduarda 'Duda' Lisboa and Ana Patrícia Ramos the opportunity of winning a title in front of their home fans and were flanked by them and fellow Americans Kelly Cheng and Megan Kraft at the podium in the Cabo Branco Beach.

Brasher and Cruz made it to the gold medal match in Brazil undefeated and secured the title with their seventh victory in five days, a sweep (21-16, 21-19) of Duda and Ana Patrícia.

"There's definitely a reason why they've been the top team in the world for many, many years," Cruz said about their opponents. "They're incredibly challenging to play against, especially in front of this home crowd. They always come out, and it is an absolute battle."

By starting their 2026 season with a title, the Americans also kept their excellent form at the international level, which saw them make it to the podium in 11 of the last 13 events they played.

Beach Pro Tour João Pessoa Elite - Results

Kelly Cheng, who won the João Pessoa Elite last season with former partner Molly Shaw, and Megan Kraft also had a lot to celebrate, making it to the podium in their first tournament as partners - they claimed the third spot on the podium thanks to a two-set (22-20, 21-12) victory over Italians Claudia Scampoli and Giada Bianchi in the bronze medal match.

In the men’s division, playing their first tournament as partners, Americans Taylor Crabb and Andrew Benesh returned home with a medal after Brazilians Evandro Gonçalves and Arthur Lanci forfeited their bronze medal match due to physical issues.

From Brazil, the Beach Pro Tour heads to Mexico next week, with the city of Tlaxcala hosting a Challenge tournament from Wednesday to Sunday. The next Elite event will also be in Brazil, with Saquarema welcoming the best teams in the world from April 8-12.