University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Bruins in Paris: Aug. 1, 2024
August 01, 2024 | Bruin Athletics, Olympics
Men's Beach Volleyball
Former UCLA men's volleyball athlete Miles Partain (2021-23) and teammate Andy Benesh closed out pool play with the United States with a second-straight win on Thursday morning. The Team USA duo took down Andre Stein and George Wanderley of Brazil to clinch a spot in the round of 16. Partain and Benesh earned a hard-fought first set, 21-17, before dropping the second set, 21-14. Partain and Benesh responded in the third set, winning 15-8 to clinch the match, 2-1. The Team USA duo will next compete in the round of 16 on either Sunday, Aug. 4, or Monday, Aug. 5.
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Women's Basketball
Germany reserved its spot in the Olympic quarterfinals with a 75-64 win over Japan on Thursday, notching its second straight win during the group stage. Lina Sontag played eight minutes, securing five boards while she was on the floor as Germany outrebounded Japan, 48-34. Emily Bessoir did not make an appearance in Thursday's matchup. Germany will conclude group play against the United States at 8:15 a.m. PT on Sunday, Aug. 4. That contest will be broadcast live on USA Network.
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Canada fell to Australia, 70-65, on Thursday morning. Nirra Fields played five minutes, going 0-for-2 from the field and grabbing one rebound. Canada will take on Nigeria this Sunday in its final opportunity to earn a win during the group stage.
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Men's Water Polo
The U.S. men's water polo team fell to reigning Olympic silver medalist Greece, 13-11, in pool play on Thursday in France. Team USA made a strong second-half push against Greece, re-taking the lead at 8-7 midway through the contest before falling just short.
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Team USA stands at 1-2 in group play with two matches remaining. UCLA's Max Irving finished as one of two Team USA athletes with a team-leading two goals. Irving also added one rebound. The Bruins' Chase Dodd also got the start for the Americans and had one goal and one rebound. Incoming freshman Ryder Dodd had one goal, one steal, and one rebound.
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Irving opened the scoring for Team USA, snagging an early 1-0 cushion. Greece tied the game moments later, and that opened a see-saw first quarter. Chase Doddย gave Team USA the lead at the six-minute mark before Greece tied up the contest. The next two goals also came from Greece, as part of a three-goal run that saw them go up 4-2 with 2:52 to play in the quarter.
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Team USA battled back, tying the game at 4-4 after one period. Greece scored a pair of goals in a row to start the second-quarter scoring and built a 6-4 advantage with 2:20 left in the first half. Irving came back with another score at the two-minute mark, making it a one-goal game. Greece came right back with a goal, securing a two-goal lead (7-5). Team USA converted a penalty shot, making the score 7-6 by halftime.
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The United States opened up the second half with a goal, tying the match at 7-7. With 5:36 to play in the third quarter, Ryder Doddย put home a rebound on a power-play attempt to give Team USA their first lead, at 8-7, since leading 1-0. Greece took the momentum back, surging to close out the third with an 11-9 advantage. Both sides were quieter on offense early in the fourth quarter until Greece broke through at the 4:26 mark, staking a 12-9 cushion. The two teams traded goals in the match's final moments, as Greece secured the two-goal win.
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Team USA will return to action against Montenegro on Saturday, Aug. 3. Game time is 7:35 a.m. PT (that's 4:35 p.m. local time on Saturday). The match will air live on USA Network and Peacock and will re-air on USA Network at 8 p.m. PT.
Women's Indoor Volleyball
Former UCLA outside hitter Iman Ndiaye on the French National Team fell to China in straight sets, 3-0 (18-25, 16-25, 19-25) in her second match at the Paris Olympics on Thursday. Ndiaye came off the bench to record three points on one kill, a block and a service ace. Team France will go up against Team USA in its final match of pool play on Sunday, Aug. 4, at 4 a.m. PT.
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The United States' program features UCLA Athletic Hall of Famers Karch Kiraly (head coach) and Sue Enquist (culture consultant) as well as current UCLA women's volleyball head coach Alfee Reft (assistant coach) on its staff.
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Women's Swimming
Gizem Guvenc (2022-present) made her Olympic debut on Thursday, taking part in the 4x200m freestyle relay semifinals at the Paris La Defense Arena on Thursday morning. The rising UCLA senior swam the third leg for Turkiye who finished their heat in eighth with a time of 8:05.18.
Bruin Olympians in the News
Partain, Benesh advance in Paris Olympics beach volleyball after coaching change โ USA Today (Miles Partain)
USA outlasts Brazil to reach beach volleyball Round of 16 (video) โ NBC News (Miles Partain)
USA men's water polo battles, falls short against Greece in third match of group play โ USA Water Polo (Max Irving, Chase Dodd, Ryder Dodd)
Social Media Highlights
HUGE WIN FOR ANDY AND MILES!!! On to the Round of 16!
โ USA Volleyball (@usavolleyball) August 1, 2024
They defeated Brazil 21-17, 14-22, 15-8 and finish second in pool play to move to the knockout stage!
?? Lintao Zhang @gettyimages pic.twitter.com/wonIYY4vgB
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Round of 16 bound ?
โ UCLA M. Volleyball (@UCLAMVB) August 1, 2024
Miles and Andy win their third match of group play 2-1 and earn a spot in the last 16!#GoBruins | #OlympiansMadeHere | #UCLAOlympians pic.twitter.com/DGBxdrAOGD
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