> At a Glance
> – Kelly Cheng and Megan Kraft will pair up for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in beach volleyball
> – Both are USC All-Americans and multiple-time NCAA champions
> – Competition will be held at Alamitos Beach Stadium in Long Beach
> – Why it matters: Home-court advantage and a guaranteed U.S. team slot could boost America’s medal hopes
Two of Southern California’s own are joining forces on the sand with their eyes on Olympic gold. Kelly Cheng, a two-time Olympian and world champion, and Megan Kraft, her former Trojan teammate, announced their new partnership Thursday aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
From Trojans to Team USA
The duo’s chemistry dates back to their USC days, where they earned All-America honors and captured multiple NCAA national titles. That shared history, Cheng says, is the bedrock of their new venture.
> “Beach volleyball is like a marriage between partners,” Cheng explained. “Meg has had to make a lot of very big decisions. She’s 23, and I’ve been absolutely impressed how she’s handled every step.”
Kraft echoed the excitement:
> “Everything has been like a whirlwind, but in the best way. I’m just really excited for it to keep going.”
Road to 2028
The path to the Games includes:
- 24 women’s teams will qualify
- Host nation U.S. is guaranteed one team, with a chance for a second
- Matches will take place on Alamitos Beach Stadium in Long Beach
Competing at home adds extra motivation. Cheng, from Fullerton, and Kraft, from San Diego, relish the idea of playing in front of family and friends.
> “You’ll see the joy of the way we play, pursuing this not just for ourselves individually, but for each other, for our team, and for the United States,” Cheng said.
Key Takeaways
- Partnership unites two decorated USC champions with proven collegiate success
- Home Olympics in Los Angeles 2028 offers rare local crowd support
- U.S. women’s beach volleyball could field two teams thanks to host-nation guarantee
With three years to refine their game, Cheng and Kraft hope to turn Trojan titles into Olympic triumph on California sand.
