Latvian Arturs Rinkevics scores against American Chase Budinger in the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali Challenge in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on Saturday (May 23, 2026). Latvia beat the USA, 22-20, 21-18, to reach the quarterfinals. (PNVF photo)
Latvia’s Ardis Bedritis and Arturs Rinkevics delivered one of the biggest surprises of the tournament after toppling second-seeded Americans Chase Budinger and Trevor Crabb, 22-20, 21-18, to storm into the quarterfinals of the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Nuvali Challenge in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on Saturday.
Battling through punishing conditions that saw temperatures climb to 36°C with a heat index reaching 41°C, the Latvian tandem leaned on discipline, patience, and smart execution to pull off the upset.
“In this heat, it’s just a survival game,” said Rinkevics, who powered their campaign with 17 points while Bedritis delivered 23.
“Our main concern and goal was not to make mistakes. If there’s a rally, try not to lose the point easily or make a mistake,” he added.
Rather than engaging in risky plays, the Latvians focused on extending rallies and forcing their opponents to work harder under the unforgiving conditions.
“We just tried to keep the ball in play and play smart,” Rinkevics said. “They have a good blocker and defender, but in this heat, making defenders move is super hard. We tried to do that, and it worked.”
Fresh off the statement victory, Bedritis and Rinkevics now set their sights on Australia’s Thomas Hodges and Ben Hood in the quarterfinals after the Aussies defeated compatriots Joshua Howat and Luke Ryan, 21-13, 22-20.
But after enduring the scorching Laguna weather, recovery now becomes part of the battle.
“Our goal is to go as far as we can,” Rinkevics said. “But right now, we’re drained. This heat is something else. Recover, enjoy volleyball, and play our best game.”
Elsewhere in the men’s division, top-seeded Israelis Eylon Elazar and Kevin Cuzmiciov advanced after defeating Indonesia’s Bintang Akbar and Sofyan Rachman Efendi, 21-15, 20-22, 15-5.
Switzerland’s Adrian Heidrich and Yves Haussener booked a quarterfinal berth by beating Poland’s Piotr Kantor and Filip Lejawa, 22-20, 21-13, while Austria’s Paul Pascaruic and Alexander Horst outlasted fellow Austrians Julian Horl and Laurenc Grossig, 21-19, 19-21, 15-10.
Sweden’s Julian Friedli and Jonathan Jordan also survived a tough challenge from Germany’s Jonas and Benedikt Sagstetter, 21-15, 13-21, 15-11.
Germany’s Maximilian Just and Lui Wust cruised past Americans Timothy Brewster and Logan Webber, 21-13, 21-17, while fellow Germans Phillip Huster and Sven Winter dominated Ukrainians Anton Moiseiev and Vitalii Savvin, 21-17, 21-16.
In the women’s competition, Ukraine’s Valentyna Davidova and Anhelina Khmil edged Americans Alexis Durish and Audrey Koenig, 21-11, 21-23, 15-13, to secure a quarterfinal showdown against Australia’s Taliqua Clancy — a Tokyo 2020 Olympic silver medalist — and Stefanie Fejes.
Lithuania’s Paris 2024 Olympians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte also advanced and will face Ukraine’s Tetiana Lazarenko and Sofiia Kurnikova.
Meanwhile, USA’s Madelyn Anderson and Alaina Chacon prepare for Puerto Rico’s Allanis Navas and Maria Claudia Gonzales, while Dutch pair Nigella Negenman and Floor Hogenhout square off against compatriots Emi Van Driel and Mila Konink.
With temperatures soaring and pressure intensifying, the Nuvali Challenge is proving that survival may be just as important as skill in the race for beach volleyball glory.