Image via: Riot Faster than the sound of a bullet, collecting intelligence in VALORANT is equally essential like fragging out: and there are not many agents who can collect information like Cypher. They are one of the game’s Sentinels and are of great use on a map like Ascent, where information control can be the […]
Faster than the sound of a bullet, collecting intelligence in VALORANT is equally essential like fragging out: and there are not many agents who can collect information like Cypher. They are one of the game’s Sentinels and are of great use on a map like Ascent, where information control can be the entire difference between winning or losing a round.
Cypher’s strengths on Ascent: Information collection
Cypher is a fortification powerhouse with anchoring and holding sites if your defense is on Cypher. His abilities concern denying enemy information so that your team can always be one step ahead. The central aspect of defense with Cypher is because this map has wide sightlines and several entry points, making it strategic. Cypher’s gadgets, like his Spycam, Trapwires, and Cyber Cage, allow the player to constantly monitor critical areas, whether anchoring at A site or B. He anchors a site by combining his abilities with real-time updates on enemy movement to other teammates.
Lurking: Pressure and delay enemy movements
When playing Cypher on the B site of Ascent, a good setup for retakes becomes mandatory. Since B is one of the more commonly contested sites, having a solid idea about enemy movements can tip the scales in favor of your team. Start placing Trapwires strategically along B Main, close to Boat, and down B Lane. These wires will make for very nice ambush gear as opponents will either trip the wire or get their position revealed too early. Also, set Trapwires near the Switch area. This gives your team critical information about rotations or possible flanks so they can retake on time. Spycam will help with this setup to gather information on choke points or catch enemies rotating from mid or the A site. Ensure your Spycam covers vital angles, like the entrance to B main or inside of B site, so you can have vision without giving away your position. Lastly, use Cyber Cage to block off crucial entry points or slow enemies trying to push into the site. A well-placed Cyber Cage near the doors or in B Main obscures enemy vision, giving you more time to gather information and prepare for the next move.
Cypher Setup at B site for retakes
Cypher’s lurking power lets him remain hidden and gather info on flanks or enemy rotations. One of the most effective lurkers in VALORANT, Cypher is capable of pressuring opponents by revealing their movements while staying away from their sight.
The Best Cypher Setups On Ascent 2024
For Ascent, Cypher is a great lurker through mid and B Link while watching out for enemy rotations from A site. A well-timed Spycam or Trapwire in those areas will alert you to enemy positioning while remaining hidden will not give away your location. Such pressure forces the enemy team to keep glances towards their flanks, and this will greatly delay their retakes and ultimately spoil their plans. Cypher’s kit is built for information gatherers, and on Ascent, his abilities are game-changing. If you can set him up right on both of the A and B sites, you will become an essential key to your team’s defense and retake plans. Being able to anchor with Trapwires and provide vision with Spycam just keeps your forces ahead of the enemy, whereas his lurking abilities will allow you to control mid and gain intel on rotations. So when you familiarize yourself with Cypher and his abilities, you are going to be the one intel powerhouse your team desires and perhaps make sure that each round would be an uphill battle being well-armed with knowledge. So set your traps, watch your cams, and take over Ascent with Cypher by your side!
New RBVL Champions Crowned, on a Heartbreaking Day – THE ROCKAWAY TIMES
By Sean Shevlin The 2025 Rockaway Beach Volleyball League (RBVL) playoffs kicked-off on Saturday, August 9, under beautiful, sun-splashed skies and temperatures in the 70s at Riis. Perfect weather for the league to conclude its 36th season. Sixty-six teams across 10 divisions gathered to compete for a championship and, the ultimate prize, the vaunted sweatshirt. […]
The 2025 Rockaway Beach Volleyball League (RBVL) playoffs kicked-off on Saturday, August 9, under beautiful, sun-splashed skies and temperatures in the 70s at Riis. Perfect weather for the league to conclude its 36th season. Sixty-six teams across 10 divisions gathered to compete for a championship and, the ultimate prize, the vaunted sweatshirt.
Spirits were high as players, friends and family packed the beach for the commencement of the first round, at 10:30 a.m. However, during the early afternoon ambulances could be seen by the flagpole, at the top of the beach, and all play soon stopped as word filtered down that a player had suffered a heart attack and was being treated in one of those ambulances. That player was Rockaway resident Charles Nopper, who later died. He was 43. Nopper, beloved by many, was a former DSNY worker, who spent time behind the bar at Jamesons and as manager at Bishops Barn. The RBVL committee extends its heartfelt condolences to the Nopper family, on this devastating loss. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 14 at 11 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church.
Meanwhile, all but the Sun division, Charles’ division, elected to continue play, and nine champions were crowned. Congratulations to all!!
The winners include Storage Place of the Ocean Division, Rockaway Soda of Ocean Breeze, BHYC Snotty Yachties of the Wave Division, the 123 Bangouts of Beach, Leo’s Tavern of Beach Breeze, Danger Zone of Boardwalk, Boarder’s Surf Shop on Sun Ray, DysFUNctional of Moon and the BHYC Social Yachties of the Star Division.
Walk of Fame ceremony kicks off 65th Manhattan Beach Open volleyball tournament – Daily Breeze
The 2025 Manhattan Beach Open kicked off this week by honoring last year’s winners of the national volleyball tournament. A standing-room-only red carpet ceremony for the 2024 victors on Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Manhattan Beach Pier set the stage for the 65th annual installment of the popular beach volleyball competition, part of the Association […]
The 2025 Manhattan Beach Open kicked off this week by honoring last year’s winners of the national volleyball tournament.
A standing-room-only red carpet ceremony for the 2024 victors on Thursday, Aug. 14, at the Manhattan Beach Pier set the stage for the 65th annual installment of the popular beach volleyball competition, part of the Association of Volleyball Professionals‘ Heritage Series.
Men’s champions Theo Brunner and Trevor Crabb, and and women’s champions Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss accepted their plaques at the Thursday afternoon ceremony, and revealed the newly installed bronze that will remain etched into the pier.
This was Crabb’s fourth Manhattan Beach Open victory, while Brunner, Kloth and Nuss each won the event for the first time.
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Theo Brunner, and Trevor Crabb, and Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss receive their plaques during the Walk of Fame ceremony for the winners of the 2024 Manhattan Beach Open beach volleyball tournament, on Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)
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Both teams nearly didn’t compete last year, but were glad that they ultimately did, as they would’ve otherwise missed the shot at victory that was waiting for them at the end of the 2024 open. Kloth and Nuss rose out of defeat in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, while Brunner and Crabb weren’t sure if they were going to play together — or at all.
“A year ago, we had the most amazing experience when we made it to the Paris Olympics,” Kloth said. “Then, a devastating experience when we lost.”
The day after the Olympics loss, Kloth said, Nuss brought her out of her slump and urged her to try to show the world again what she’s capable of on the sand. After all, the two maintained a 36-0 record togetehr at Louisiana State University.
“She said, ‘We should go play the Manhattan Beach Open. We’re way better than this; we have to go play,’” Kloth said, recalling Nuss’ encouragment. “When I was at my lowest, she picked me up exactly when I needed it.”
Nuss, meanwhile, said she’s extremely grateful they didn’t let the international defeat weigh them down.
“Now that our names are on the plaques, I’m glad we came and played,” Nuss said. “It could’ve been so different.”
Crabb, meanwhile, said that before entering the 2024 competition, he considered finding a new partner after he and Brunner didn’t qualify for a different tournament together that year, but never did. So Brunner took the initiative, asking Crabb to team up for what ended up being their fourth and first wins, respectively.
Now, Crabb is working on a potential fifth title in this year’s tournament.
The MBO has “become a second home for me,” Crabb said. “I’ve always thought this was the best beach volleyball tournament ever.”
Brunner said he was especially excited to win, and somewhat surprised, after nearly reaching the championship title a handful of times previously.
“I’ve been in the finals here four times,” Brunner said. “So going into the finals last year was like, here we go again.”
But he was wrong.
A”This was the one thing I got that I can show my kids,” Brunner said, adding that it was a special moment for him for his children to watch him win.
The Manhattan Beach Open Walk of Fame was dedicated in 1996 and honors champions from as far back as the beginning of the competiton in 1960.
Crabb and Brunner were unbeaten throughout last year’s tournament, topping their Paris Olympian competitors 21-18, 21-18 in the final. The pair lost only one set over the three days of the 2024 games.
Kloth and Nuss, meanwhile, beat the defending champions, Julia Scoles and Betsi Flint, in the final match last year. Kloth and Nuss dropped the first set, but went on to win, 18-21, 21-17, 15-9.
Both winning teams’ victories earned them spots in the AVP League last year.
All four will compete once again this weekend in the 2025 open.
AVP Commissioner Bobby Corvino applauded Kloth and Nuss’ tenacity on Thursday, adding that they’ve now secured titles as some of the best players in history.
“Fresh off the Paris Olympics, you guys came home just days later and captured the MBO title,” he said. “No breaks, no excuses, just pure determination and joy for the game.”
Corvino also called Brunner one of the most dominant blockers in beach volleyball, and said that Crabb is not just building a record, but also creating a family dynasty along with his brother, Taylor Crabb, who won the 2023 Manhattan Beach Open.
Brunner, after all, has been named AVP’s Best Block in 2013, 2014, 2022 and 2023, earned a 2013 AVP Championship, and has had international success.
“All four of your names will be etched here alongside others who were the best to play the game,” Corvino said.
Manhattan Beach Mayor David Lesser presented each champion their keepsake plaques, then the players uncovered the awards that will honor their names on the city landmark for years to come.
As she introduced the 2024 inductees, four-time MBO champion April Ross said winning the local tournament is a testament to their hard work and commitment to each other, adding that Nuss is one of the best defenders and attackers on the planet.
“It’s hard to win, even when you’re one of the best teams in the world,” Ross said. “Taryn and Kristen stay calm under pressure and continiue to play their game.” a
The 2025 Manhattan Beach Open, meanwhile, will take place from Friday to Sunday, Aug. 15-17.
But on Thursday, 200 teams competed in the qualification tournament, vying for official spots in the Manhattan Beach Open.
The opening rounds begin on Friday. Over the course of the tournament, 32 teams will compete in several rounds of matches until the semifinals and finals on Sunday.
More information about the 2025 Manhattan Beach Open, parking and street closures, go to manhattanbeach.gov.
USA Women Into Semifinals At U20 World Championships After 24-6 Win Over Croatia
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Salvador, Brazil – August 14 – The USA Junior Women beat Croatia 24-6 today at the World Aquatics U20 World Championships. Meghan McAninch scored five and was named player of the match while Lauren Steele and Christine Carpenter combined for 12 saves in net. Team USA advances to the semifinals on […]
Salvador, Brazil – August 14 – The USA Junior Women beat Croatia 24-6 today at the World Aquatics U20 World Championships. Meghan McAninch scored five and was named player of the match while Lauren Steele and Christine Carpenter combined for 12 saves in net. Team USA advances to the semifinals on Friday at 6pm et/3pm pt against the winner of Netherlands-Italy. Live streaming of all matches is available through the World Aquatics YouTube page by clicking here. Live stats of all matches are provided from Microplus by clicking here.
Team USA struck first when Julia Bonaguidi rang the register on the opening possession of the game followed by Allison Cohen skipping home the Americans’ second score. Croatia would level the score behind its own pair of goals before Emily Ausmus put the United States back on top with a nice sidearm skip shot. McAninch doubled the advantage before Cohen rose up and fired home her second score. Then it was McAninch again prior to Croatia netting its third on the day to send this contest to the second quarter at 6-3.
Ausmus scored on a counter attack to begin the second and then Cohen scored once again to register a hat trick on the afternoon. The Croatian side was able to sink a long range shot but Charlotte Raisin answered on the other end to regain a five-goal cushion. Midway through the period, Croatia got a skip shot to fall before Rosalie Hassett broke free on the counter attack for another American goal. Raisin scored again late to give Team USA an 11-5 lead at the break.
On the first possession of the second half, Bonaguidi muscled one through the defense and she recorded a hat trick on the ensuing possession with another goal. Next it was Ausmus drawing a penalty and converting on the five meter attempt before another sweet sidearm strike gave Team USA a double digit lead. Midway through the third, Raisin registered a hat trick with her third score coming on another counter attack opportunity and then McAninch fired a cross cage shot into the back of the net for yet another American hat trick. From there, Hassett scored her second before Croatia finally got on the scoreboard in the quarter to leave the score at 18-6 entering the final frame of play.
The fourth quarter brought much of the same from both sides. Quinn Healy, McAninch (2), Raisin, Cohen, and Kamryn Barone all scored for the United States to set the final score at 24-6.
Team USA went 2/3 on power plays and 4/4 on penalties while Croatia went 2/13 on power plays and 0/1 on penalties.
Scoring – Stats
USA 24 (6, 5, 7, 6) M. McAninch 5, E. Ausmus 4, A. Cohen 4, C. Raisin 4, J. Bonaguidi 3, R. Hassett 2, K. Barone 1, Q. Healy 1
CRO 6 (3, 2, 1, 0) J. Butic 3, I. Rozic 2, R. Glas 1
Saves – USA – L. Steele 9, C. Carpenter 3 – CRO – L. Medvesek 2, E. Hanza 1
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AVP Manhattan Beach Open Launches With Walk of Fame Ceremony | Manhattan Beach CA – Manhattan Beach News
The 2025 AVP Manhattan Beach Open festivities kicked off Thursday at the annual Walk of Fame red-carpet ceremony held on the Manhattan Beach Pier to unveil plaques honoring last year’s champions. Thursday’s ceremony celebrated 2024 winners Taryn (Kloth) Brasher, Kristen Nuss, Theo Brunner, and Trevor Crabb with two new plaques on the pier. The AVP Manhattan […]
The
2025 AVP Manhattan Beach Open festivities kicked off Thursday at the annual Walk
of Fame red-carpet ceremony held on the Manhattan Beach
Pier to unveil plaques honoring last year’s champions.
Thursday’s ceremony celebrated 2024 winners Taryn
(Kloth) Brasher, Kristen Nuss, Theo Brunner,
and Trevor Crabb with two new plaques on the pier.
The AVP Manhattan Beach
Open, widely celebrated as the “Grandaddy of Them All,” is the most prestigious professional beach volleyball tournament in the
country. It is being held on the south side of the Manhattan Beach Pier and will run through Sunday, August
17.
The tournament showcases the pinnacle of beach volleyball talent, featuring defending champions Taryn (Kloth) Brasher / Kristen Nuss (2024 Olympians) and
fellow 2024 Olympians Chase Budinger/Mike Evans, as well as the
second-to-last AVP event for legendary International Volleyball Hall of
Famer, 2008 Olympic gold medalist, four-time Olympian and seven-time Manhattan Beach Open winner Phil Dalhausser.
The tournament began on Thursday with a qualifier, to be followed by the main draw competition Friday through Sunday.
AVP Tournament Information
General admission to the Manhattan Beach Open is free but fans can
select from a variety of ticket options for an elevated experience. Get
more information on tickets and ticket sales – as well as brackets and schedules – by visiting the MBO by AVP website.
Note that multiple streets and parking lots will be closed during and after the tournament.
Parking lot closures include:
Lower pier parking lots closed 8/8-8/20
Upper pier parking lots closed 8/15-8/20
Street closures include:
Manhattan Beach Blvd. west of Ocean Drive to the MB Pier closed 8/11-8/20
Ocean Drive between 11th Street and 12th Street closed 8/15-8/17
Manhattan Beach Blvd. west of Manhattan Avenue to the MB Pier closed 8/15-8/17
Some Canada Summer Games events are resuming today after being postponed due to the province’s wildfire situation. Beach volleyball resumes in the Town of Paradise, however only athletes will be permitted at the event and there will be no spectators. Sailing competition is also resuming at the Royal Newfoundland Yacht Club in CBS after […]
