Chase Budinger and Miles Evans of the United States fell to Dutch duo Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot in straight sets during their second Olympic beach volleyball match at Eiffel Tower Stadium.
The U.S. duo was coming off a dominant victory over France, but couldn’t muster enough against a strong Dutch side that was ranked No. 1 in the world during 2022.
Boermans and de Groot used their experience to find the gaps in the American defense, utilizing sets that limited Budinger’s NBA-level vertical. Budinger and Evans didn’t help themselves with multiple errors and miscommunications, especially in the first set.
The Americans had trouble getting shots past the 6-foot-8 Boermans, either having attempts swatted at the net or sailing them over the Dutch blocker and out of bounds.
The Netherlands won 21-13, 21-15, and the victory places them atop Pool F. Budinger and Evans return to action against Spain on Friday.