Top Women’s Beach Volleyball Duos of 2025

The 2025 beach volleyball season is here, and with it comes an exciting lineup of talent ready to dominate the sand. In this blog, we’re ranking the top 12 women’s duos we expect to shine this year, based on their recent achievements, FIVB world rankings, TruVolley scores, and standout performances at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

This wasn’t an easy list to make—some amazing teams just missed the cut—but this ranking is about who we believe will be the strongest in 2025, not just who performed well in the past.

From powerful serves to explosive spikes, these duos are ready to make waves. Let’s dive in and see who made the list!

 

12. Mariafe Artacho del Solar / Taliqua Clancy (Australia)

Last Achievements:

• 2024 Vienna Elite16 – 5th Place
• 2024 Doha Beach Pro Tour Finals – 4th Place
• 2024 BPT Challenge Stare Jablonki – 5th Place
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games – 4th Place

Playing Style:

Clancy and Artacho del Solar bring a dynamic and complementary approach to the court. Taliqua Clancy dominates at the net with her impressive height, athleticism, and powerful blocking skills, while Mariafe Artacho del Solar excels in defense, showcasing her precision, quick reflexes, and agility. Their exceptional communication and ability to adapt to different opponents make them a consistent threat at the highest level of competition.

Expectations for 2025:

Despite tough competition from Australia’s rising young duo, Milutinovic/Fejes, Artacho del Solar and Clancy’s wealth of experience and proven track record make them a pair to watch this year. We’re confident that 2025 could be another strong year for this talented team!

 

 

11. Megan Kraft / Terese Cannon (USA)

Last Achievements:

• 2024 Doha Beach Pro Tour Finals – Silver Medal 🥈
• 2024 ELITE16 Rio de Janeiro – Silver Medal 🥈
• 2024 Gstaad Elite16 – Silver Medal 🥈
• 2024 Vienna Elite16 – Bronze Medal 🥉
  
  

Playing Style:

Kraft and Cannon bring a balanced and highly effective approach to the court. Terese Cannon dominates the net with her impressive height and blocking skills, making it difficult for opponents to get past her reach. Megan Kraft, on the other hand, is a standout right-side defender, known for her quick reactions, sharp court awareness, and ability to set up plays with precision.

Expectations for 2025:

At just 21 years old, Megan Kraft is one of the most promising young players in the game. Her composure, court vision, and defensive skills are well beyond her years, making her an exciting player to watch as she continues to develop. Paired with Cannon’s experience and net dominance, this duo has already made waves on the Elite16 circuit and the Doha Beach Pro Tour Finals. With their momentum building, 2025 could be a breakout year for them as they push for even more podium finishes.

 

 

10. Sara Hughes / Kelly Cheng (USA)

Last Achievements:

• 2024 BPT Elite16 Ostrava – Gold Medal 🥇
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Doha – Bronze Medal 🥉
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games – Quarter-finals
  
  

Playing Style:
Hughes and Cheng are a powerhouse duo, combining exceptional ball control, strategic play, and aggressive net presence. Kelly Cheng is a dominant force at the net, using her height, precise blocking, and strong attacking skills to challenge opponents. Meanwhile, Sara Hughes is a defensive mastermind, known for her quick reactions, outstanding reads, and ability to turn tough digs into perfectly placed offensive opportunities.

Their chemistry and complementary skill sets make them one of the most well-rounded teams on the beach. In August 2023, they hit a career milestone when they reached a career-high world ranking of No. 2, proving they can compete with the best in the world.

Expectations for 2025:

Their Paris 2024 Olympic quarter-finals finish showed they’re still right in the mix of elite-level competition, and with their relentless work ethic, we expect them to continue making deep runs in 2025.

This duo has already established themselves as top contenders—will 2025 be the year they make their way back to the very top? We can’t wait to find out!

 

9. Tanja Hüberli / Leona Kernen (Switzerland)

For almost a decade, Tanja Hüberli and Nina Brunner were one of the most successful Swiss duos on the sand. Together, they racked up a combined 13 podium finishes on the world tour, including a bronze medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. They had the potential to challenge for the very top of this list, but their incredible run ended in October 2024 when Brunner took a break from her career to start a family.

Now, Hüberli is entering a new chapter, teaming up with 19-year-old rising star Leona Kernen. While Kernen is new to the elite professional circuit, she’s already shown immense potential, winning gold at the 2024 U20 European Championship and silver at both the 2023 and 2024 editions of the FIVB U21 World Championship. She’s a young talent with quick reflexes, impressive ball control, and an aggressive approach to the game.

Expectations for 2025:

With Hüberli’s experience and leadership combined with Kernen’s fresh energy and fearless play, this new Swiss duo has the potential to rise fast in the rankings. They may be a new team, but if they find their rhythm, expect to see them competing for big titles in 2025. Could this be the beginning of another Swiss powerhouse duo? We’ll be watching closely!

 

 

8. Kristen Nuss / Taryn Kloth (USA)

Last Achievements:

• 2024 Doha Beach Pro Tour Finals – Gold Medal 🥇
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Gstaad – Gold Medal 🥇
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Espinho – Gold Medal 🥇
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Brasilia – Silver Medal 🥈
  
  

Playing Style:
Kristen Nuss and Taryn Kloth have quickly become one of the most exciting teams in beach volleyball. Their journey from college standouts to world-class competitors has been nothing short of impressive. Nuss, despite being one of the shorter defenders on tour, makes up for it with incredible speed, court awareness, and relentless defensive plays, while Kloth brings dominant net presence and powerful attacking that keeps opponents on their heels. Their chemistry, high-energy style, and fearless approach have made them a fan-favorite duo on the world stage.

Expectations for 2025:

After a red-hot 2024 season, where they consistently reached the podium and took home multiple gold medals, they are undoubtedly in peak form heading into 2025. Their ability to adapt to different playing conditions and outlast even the toughest competition makes them a serious threat in every tournament they enter.

With their recent dominance on the Beach Pro Tour, Nuss and Kloth are riding a wave of momentum, and all eyes are on them to continue their success in 2025. They’ve already proven they can win against the best—now the question is, how far can they climb this year? We’re expecting big things from this powerhouse duo!

 

 

7. Brandie Wilkerson / Melissa Humana-Paredes (Canada)

Last Achievements:

• 2024 Summer Olympics – Silver Medal 🥈
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Ostrava – Silver Medal 🥈
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Doha – Silver Medal 🥈
  
  

Playing Style:

This Canadian powerhouse duo brings a perfect mix of elite blocking, defensive brilliance, and high volleyball IQ to the court. Brandie Wilkerson is widely regarded as one of the best blockers in the game, using her exceptional athleticism, quick reactions, and strategic net control to shut down opponents’ attacks. Melissa Humana-Paredes, known for her smooth ball control, strong defensive skills, and high volleyball IQ, perfectly complements Wilkerson’s dominance at the net.

Their chemistry and experience helped lead Canada to its best Olympic beach volleyball finish ever, securing a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Wilkerson’s commanding presence at the net and Humana-Paredes’ relentless defensive hustle made them one of the toughest teams to beat last season.

Expectations for 2025:

After such an impressive 2024 season, we expect big things from this duo in 2025. They have already proven they can compete with and defeat the best in the world, and with their experience, talent, and hunger for more success, they’ll be serious contenders in every tournament they enter this year.

 

 

6. Valentina Gottardi / Reka Orsi Toth (Italy)

Last Achievements:

• 2024 BPT Elite16 Rio de Janeiro – Quarter-finals
  
  

Playing Style:

Valentina Gottardi has been one of Italy’s most promising young players, and after spending years playing alongside her mentor, the experienced Marta Menegatti, she is now stepping into a new phase of her career with Reka Orsi Toth as her partner. At just 22 years old, Gottardi has already shown tremendous potential, while Orsi Toth, at 26, brings strong technical skills and solid international experience to the partnership.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Gottardi and Menegatti only made it to the round of 16, but the young Italian star has now teamed up with Orsi Toth in what looks like a very promising duo for the future. They already made a strong statement by reaching the quarter-finals at the 2024 BPT Elite16 in Rio de Janeiro, and with more time to develop their chemistry, they could be one of the breakthrough teams of 2025.

Expectations for 2025:

This season will be a major test for them, but with Gottardi’s youth and athleticism paired with Orsi Toth’s experience and composure, expectations are high. If they continue to build on their early success, they could climb even higher in the rankings this year. Definitely a team to keep an eye on!

 

 

5. Ana Patrícia Silva / Duda Lisboa (Brazil)

Last Achievements:

• 2024 Paris Olympic Games – Gold Medal 🥇
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Brasília – Gold Medal 🥇
  
  

Playing Style:
Ana Patrícia Silva and Duda Lisboa are one of the most dominant duos in beach volleyball today, combining power, precision, and relentless energy on the court. Ana Patrícia, standing at 6'4" (1.93m), is an absolute force at the net, using her size and blocking skills to shut down opponents’ attacks. Duda, on the other hand, is one of the most skilled and well-rounded players in the game, with incredible ball control, quick reflexes, and sharp offensive decision-making.

Their success didn’t start in 2024—far from it. In 2022, they won gold at the Beach Volleyball World Championships, making a statement that they were the future of Brazilian beach volleyball. Since then, they have been a dominant presence on the Beach Pro Tour, consistently finishing on the podium in major events.

In 2024, they cemented their status as the best in the world, taking Olympic gold in Paris, the most prestigious title in the sport. Adding another Elite16 gold in Brasília to their list of achievements, they proved that they are not just champions but a team capable of sustaining success at the highest level.

Expectations for 2025:

After an unforgettable Olympic year, expectations for Ana Patrícia and Duda are sky-high in 2025. They will enter the season as the team to beat, with every opponent looking for a way to break their rhythm. However, their ability to stay consistent, adapt to different conditions, and dominate in crucial moments makes them favorites in every tournament they enter.

With their chemistry stronger than ever, will they continue their reign at the top?

 

 

4. Katja Stam / Raisa Schoon (Netherlands)

Last Achievements:

• 2024 Paris Olympic Games – Round of 16
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Espinho – Bronze Medal 🥉
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Tepic – Silver Medal 🥈
  
  

Playing Style:

Katja Stam and Raisa Schoon have been one of the most consistent European teams in recent years, bringing solid performances on the Beach Pro Tour. Stam, with her height and blocking ability, controls the net well, while Schoon provides quick defensive play and strong serving.

Their 2024 season had ups and downs, reaching the round of 16 at the Paris Olympics, but they still managed podium finishes at Elite16 events in Espinho and Tepic. They might not be the flashiest team, but their steady results and strong teamwork keep them in the conversation as one of the top pairs in the world.

Expectations for 2025:

In 2025, we expect them to continue competing at a high level, pushing for more podium finishes and improving their consistency against the world’s best. Can they take the next step and challenge for bigger titles? We’ll find out soon!

 

3. Carol Salgado / Rebecca Cavalcanti (Brazil)

A New Brazilian Power Duo for 2025

Beach volleyball fans were shocked when Carol Salgado announced that she would be parting ways with Bárbara Seixas, despite their duo currently holding the #1 spot in the FIVB world rankings. Together, Carol and Bárbara had an incredible run in 2024, highlighted by a gold medal at the BPT Elite16 in Rio de Janeiro and Doha, along with a bronze in Tepic and a strong showing at the Paris Olympics (Round of 16).

Now, for 2025, Carol is teaming up with Rebecca Cavalcanti, forming what could be one of the most dominant duos on the tour. While they haven’t played together yet, their individual skills and past achievements suggest they have everything needed to compete at the highest level.

Playing Style:

Carol Salgado is known for her intelligent court vision, quick defensive skills, and precise offensive setups. Her ability to read plays and control tempo has made her one of the best defenders in the game, consistently frustrating opponents with her relentless digs and quick transitions into attack.

Rebecca Cavalcanti, on the other hand, brings a strong physical presence and powerful hitting ability, making her an offensive weapon on the sand. She is a versatile player who has steadily built her reputation on the Beach Pro Tour, and this new partnership with Carol could unlock even greater potential for her game.

Expectations for 2025:

With Carol’s elite defense and leadership combined with Rebecca’s aggressive offense, this pairing could very well be one of the most dangerous duos in 2025. While it’s always a challenge for new teams to find instant chemistry, both players are experienced enough to quickly adapt and compete for titles right away.

Fans will be eager to see how this new Brazilian duo performs as they take on the world’s best. Could they continue Carol’s winning momentum from 2024? With their individual talent and drive for success, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them fighting for gold in the biggest tournaments of the year.

 

 

 

2. Anastasija Samoilova / Tina Graudina (Latvia)

Last Achievements:

• 2024 Paris Olympic Games – Quarter-finals
• 2024 Doha Beach Pro Tour Finals – Bronze Medal 🥉
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Gstaad – Bronze Medal 🥉
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Ostrava – Bronze Medal 🥉
• 2024 BPT Challenge Stare Jablonki – Silver Medal 🥈
• 2024 BPT Challenge Recife – Gold Medal 🥇
• 2024 BPT Elite16 Doha – 4th Place
  
  

Playing Style:

Anastasija Samoilova and Tina Graudina have been in incredible form over the past year, proving themselves as one of the top beach volleyball duos in the world. They made history as the first-ever Latvian women’s pair to qualify for the Olympics, finishing 4th in Tokyo 2021 and making another deep run to the quarter-finals in Paris 2024.

Samoilova and Graudina thrive on strong teamwork, strategic play, and all-around consistency. Graudina is an excellent blocker, using her height and timing to dominate at the net, while Samoilova is a quick and agile defender, capable of making clutch digs and setting up powerful attacks. Their ability to adapt to different opponents and maintain a high level of play across multiple tournaments makes them a serious threat in any competition.

Expectations for 2025:

With multiple podium finishes in 2024, including medals at Elite16 events in Gstaad, Ostrava, and Doha, they are entering 2025 in peak form. This year, we expect them to continue their upward trajectory and fight for even bigger titles. If they maintain their consistency and build on their experience, they could be knocking on the door of even more gold medals in 2025.

This Latvian duo is here to stay—and they’re only getting stronger!

 

 

1. Svenja Müller / Cinja Tillmann (Germany)

Last Achievements:

• BPT Elite16 Hamburg – Gold Medal 🥇
• CEV European Championships – Netherlands – Gold Medal 🥇
• BPT Elite16 Vienna – Gold Medal 🥇
• 2024 Doha Beach Pro Tour Finals – 5th Place
• Paris 2024 Olympic Games – Round of 16
  
  

Currently ranked #2 in the FIVB world rankings, Svenja Müller and Cinja Tillmann have established themselves as one of the most consistent and dominant duos in beach volleyball. Unlike some of the other top-ranked teams that are adjusting to new partnerships, Müller and Tillmann continue to build on their strong chemistry, making them a fearful team to face on the sand.

Tillmann, the more experienced of the two, is known for her strategic gameplay, quick defensive reads, and ability to turn tough plays into scoring opportunities. She brings leadership and court awareness that make her a stabilizing force in high-pressure matches. Müller, at just 24 years old, is an explosive and dynamic player, using her height and athleticism to dominate at the net. Her powerful blocking and attacking skills make her one of the most exciting young players to watch on tour.

In 2024, they proved they could compete at the highest level, winning Elite16 events in Hamburg and Vienna and claiming the European Championship title in the Netherlands. Their 5th-place finish at the Doha Beach Pro Tour Finals and Olympic Round of 16 performance show that they are consistently competing with the best teams in the world.

 

 

 

Our Top Bet for 2025

With their strong team chemistry, incredible consistency, and hunger for more titles, Müller and Tillmann are our top pick for the best beach volleyball duo of 2025. They have all the tools to take on any team in the world and continue their rise to the very top.

That said, all of the duos on this list are elite competitors, and we know 2025 is going to be a thrilling season with fierce battles, upsets, and unforgettable matches.

Whether it’s Müller and Tillmann dominating or another team stepping up to challenge them, one thing is certain—this year is going to be incredible for beach volleyball!