Miles Evans/Chase Budinger of the United States fell to Spain’s Pablo Herrera/Adrian Gavira in straight sets on Friday, dropping to 1-2 in Pool F play at the Paris Olympics.
Spain — the longest-tenured beach volleyball team in the Paris Games — clinched a spot in the Round of 16. The U.S. will have to see how action plays out, hoping to earn a spot as one of the top third-ranked pool teams or through the “lucky loser” matches that will take place on Saturday.
The Spaniards grinded out a first set, 21-18, with the Americans struggling to contain the 6-foot-4 Gavira at the net. Budinger was unable to record a block in the first set and couldn't match the speed of Herrera/Gavira.
The second set was when Spain pulled away. A 5-0 run put the Spaniards up 14-7 and effectively salting the game away.
Gavira had 14 attack points by himself in the match, nearly outpacing Evans/Budinger's combined 17 points on the attack.
With France's 0-3 finish in Pool F, Evans and Budinger secured third place. The Americans will wait for all pool play games to conclude before finding out if they go through as one of the top two thrird-place teams, or if they will enter into the "lucky losers" bracket on Saturday.