Women’s Bracket – Brasher & Nuss Cement Their Dynasty
The defending champions, Taryn Brasher & Kristen Nuss, once again etched their names into Manhattan Beach history, winning their second straight title with a gritty three-set victory over #2 Terese Cannon & Megan Kraft (15–21, 21–18, 15–13).
It’s the first women’s repeat since Emily Capers & Brittany Hochevar in 2016–2017, confirming Kloth/Nuss as the defining force of the modern AVP. They entered the weekend having won 32 of their last 35 AVP matches and extended their finals streak to seven straight events.
Their semifinal clash with #19 Kennedy Coakley & Ashley Pater highlighted the magic of Manhattan Beach. The USC duo became just the fifth women’s team seeded 19th or lower to reach an AVP semifinal and captured the crowd’s imagination with a five-match elimination run. But against Brasher/Nuss, their fairy tale ended 23–21, 21–11.
Cannon & Kraft also impressed in their march to the final, knocking out #5 Corinne Quiggle & Teegan Van Gunst in straight sets (21–12, 21–13) and showing they are firmly part of the AVP’s elite.
Key Notes:
- TKN are the first women’s team in eight years to win consecutive MBO titles.
- Coakley & Pater became the lowest-seeded team (No. 19) to reach the Manhattan semis since 2017.
- Cannon & Kraft reached their first Manhattan final together, underscoring their rise.
Men’s Bracket – Budinger & Evans Claim Their Pier Immortality
On the men’s side, the story was one of chalk meeting legacy. For the first time since 2016, the top four seeds all reached the semifinals, setting the stage for blockbuster matchups.
- Semifinal Drama:
- #4 Trevor Crabb & Phil Dalhausser edged #2 Taylor Crabb & Taylor Sander in a three-set classic (21–17, 13–21, 16–14).
- #1 Chase Budinger & Miles Evans rallied past #3 Chaim Schalk & James Shaw (18–21, 21–18, 15–12).
That set up a final pitting Dalhausser, the seven-time Manhattan Beach champion, and Trevor Crabb, a four-time winner, against a duo still searching for their first pier plaques.
- The Final:
Budinger & Evans rose to the occasion, defeating Crabb & Dalhausser in straight sets (21–19, 21–16). The victory not only secured their first Manhattan Beach title but also ended the Crabb brothers’ dominance — Trevor and Taylor had combined to win each of the last five Manhattan Beach Opens. For Budinger, it marked his first AVP championship with Evans as a team, while Evans celebrated his first career AVP title.
Key Notes:
- Budinger & Evans entered the week 1–6 against Crabb/Sander but undefeated against everyone else in the field. They carried that momentum through the semifinals and finals to claim their biggest career win together.
- For Crabb & Dalhausser, the loss ends a run in which one of the two had won 8 of the last 10 MBO titles.
- Taylor Crabb vs. Trevor Crabb in the semis added another chapter to their family rivalry — their 32nd career meeting. Trevor extended his Manhattan dominance over Taylor to 6–1, though Taylor holds the bragging rights for their 2023 championship clash.
Next Stop – AVP League Championship, Chicago
The Manhattan Beach Open may be the “Granddaddy of Them All” but the 2025 AVP season isn’t done yet. The finale comes August 30–31 with the AVP League Championship in Chicago, Illinois.
- The top six teams from both genders will battle in a single-elimination playoff to be crowned AVP League Champion.
- Chase Budinger & Miles Evans of the San Diego Smash, seeded fifth after a 4–4 League campaign, will face Hagen Smith & Logan Webber of the LA Launch in the quarterfinals.
- On the women’s side, Taryn Brasher & Kristen Nuss of the Austin Aces enter as the top seed and will open their title defense in the semifinals thanks to a first-round bye.
Fans can watch the action on YouTube TV and CBS, or experience it live by securing tickets now at AVP.com.