LSU beach volleyball stars Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss set to shine at the 2024 Olympics

Two LSU athletes are ready to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Taryn Kloth and Kristen Nuss, or TKN (their initials), are a dynamic duo representing Team USA on beach volleyball at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Both Kloth and Nuss live and train in Baton Rouge. The two Lady Tigers earned their spots on Team USA through intense competition. Here’s how they earned their spots in the upcoming Summer Games:

Each country will be given two teams to compete in the Olympic Games. The top 17 teams in the world, based on points accumulated through 12 international tournament finishes, will also receive a bid to the Olympic Games.

The qualifying period ran from January 1, 2023, through June 10, 2024. At the end of the period, Kloth and Nuss were the top-ranked U.S. team and second in the world.

Adam Hensgens serves as the duo’s business manager. He said the excitement is inexplicable at the moment. But they still have work to do before the Olympics, including making sure their clothing and competition gear are up to Olympic standards, interviews, recovery, training, packing, flights and more.

“You rarely get a break to sit back and enjoy the ride, as we are still competing in other tournaments, both internationally and nationally,” Hensgens said. “Even during the Olympics, the opening ceremony is on July 26, and the beach volleyball pool starts on July 27.”

After the gold medal match in beach volleyball on August 10 and the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games on August 11, Kloth and Nuss will compete again in the AVP Manhattan Beach Open from August 16 to 18, Hensgens said.

“You get little moments to celebrate, and then you go back to work,” Hensgens said. “But those little moments are everything.”

The two Louisiana legends are ready to compete and make history. And they should not be underestimated. Although the state is not known for volleyball, the world will soon know their names,

“These two are the real deal… they’ve changed the script that you don’t have to be from Hawaii, California or Florida to play beach volleyball,” Hensgens said. “And what we have here, especially in terms of sports in the South, is special. So if this is your first time seeing them compete, you’re in for a treat.”

Kloth is originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She attended Creighton University, where she had a successful indoor volleyball career. She then transferred to Louisiana State University for her fifth year and tried beach volleyball.

Born in Metairie, Nuss attended Mount Carmel Academy and then LSU.

Hensgens said he knew from the moment he met Kloth and Nuss that the two would do something special together. He said he noticed the little things they did that made him a fan from day one.

“The way they trained and were laser-focused on the game showed me that they knew what they were doing when they started this long journey,” Hensgens said. “It was a privilege and an honor to be part of their team, and now I can’t wait for the rest of the world to see them on the biggest stage in sports.”

Hensgens said the support of the communities around Kloth and Nuss has allowed them to focus on the gold. On their journey to achieve their dreams, they have sacrificed a lot. From missing birthdays, holidays, weddings and spending time with friends and family, they know what is on top of the mountain. And they couldn’t have done it without the support of the people around them.

“Our fans, who have been cheering us on the whole way, have helped make it all worth it,” Hensgens said. “It’s been a wild ride, but we’re finally here, and Taryn and Kristen are ready, so let’s do this.”

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU beach volleyball stars ready to shine at Paris Olympics