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 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.

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.

Originally Published: August 14, 2025 at 8:22 AM PDT