Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Kristen first began playing beach volleyball during her sophomore year in high school, but her success in sports spanned much further than just on the sand. Kristen led Mount Carmel Academy to three indoor volleyball state championships as well as two basketball championships. Her high school career concluded her senior year with her being named Louisiana Gatorade Player of the Year as well as New Orleans Sports Amateur Athlete of the Year.
All the while, it was beach volleyball that progressively set in as her number-one love as she competed in various tournaments throughout her high school years. She quickly committed to LSU Beach Volleyball during her junior year without talking to any other programs, as it had always been her dream to compete as a Tiger. Kristen stuck to her winning ways at the collegiate level, as she amassed the most career wins in LSU history, became the winningest player in collegiate beach volleyball history, and ensured her team appeared in the NCAA championship tournament every year of her tenure. Kristen, along with her teammate Claire Coppola, also became a two-time USAV pair’s champion.
Kristen graduated in December 2020 but opted to return for one more semester of eligibility due to COVID-19 exceptions. Her winning ways continued but it was now with Taryn Kloth alongside her. The two had an astonishing season as LSU’s Court 1 pair. They garnered a historical 36-0 record and helped lead the Sandy Tigs to a 4th-place finish in the NCAA tournament.
Kristen is pound for pound one of the best players in the world and proven to compete on the world’s stage with anyone. Her continued development defensively tantalizes the opponents and captivates the audience. Their growth and team chemistry has propelled TKN into the top seed representing USA Volleyball at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Kristen Nuss (born December 16, 1997) is an American beach volleyball player, currently competing in the FIVB World Tour/Pro Beach Tour. She competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with Taryn Kloth.
Nuss was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana to Audrey and George. She is the youngest of four children, with older brothers Pete, Jeffrey, and Jordan.
Nuss was a multi-sport athlete throughout high school, leading Mount Carmel Academy to three indoor volleyball and two basketball state titles, though beach volleyball was the sport she enjoyed most. Nuss was an LHSAA Division I MVP and Gatorade Player of the Year candidate for indoor volleyball.
Nuss attended Louisiana State University starting in 2017 and quickly found success on the sand with fellow freshman Claire Coppola. The pair accumulated nine wins over NCAA-ranked teams, including seven against top-10-ranked teams. At one point during their freshman season, they won 20 of 21 matches, finishing with a 27-7 record and being named to Volleyballmag.com’s All-America team. The pair’s success grew in the following seasons, compiling records of 31-8 and 33-4 over the following two seasons, winning the USA Volleyball Collegiate Beach Championship, CCSA Pair of the Year, AVCA All-America honors in back-to-back years. They were the first pair to win consecutive CCSA Pair of the Year awards. Their junior season also saw them top the Tigers’ individual wins list at 81. Their 2020 season saw them reach the 100-win mark, becoming the third pair to do so behind USC’s Sara Hughes and Kelly Cheng and UCLA’s Megan and Nicole McNamara.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Nuss began training with Taryn Kloth, an indoor volleyball player for Creighton who had transferred to LSU. Despite having never played beach volleyball before, the pair went on to finish the 2021 season with a 36-0 record, the second-ever team to complete an undefeated season and the NCAA title.
Nuss graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology, finishing her college career as one of the most decorated NCAA beach volleyball players ever with 136 total victories, three CCSA Pair of the Year and AVCA All-American awards, two USA Volleyball Collegiate Beach Championships, and Volleyballmag.com Player of the Year.
Nuss and Kloth turned professional upon graduating in 2021, to qualify for the Olympics in Paris but opting to keep their base in New Orleans instead of moving to Southern California. They initially struggled to qualify for international tournaments but eventually broke through with Gold in the 2022 BPT Coolangatta Futures. Shortly thereafter, the pair beat the Tokyo Silver Medalists, Australians Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy, en route to the Gold at the 2022 BPT Kusadasi Challenge (21-12, 17-21, 17-15).
The pair started 2023 with wins in two of their first four World Tour tournaments and followed it up with three medals in five tournaments during the European leg of the tour schedule. In the World Championships, the pair reached the semifinals, losing in three sets to their American counterparts Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes. They rematched with the Australian Olympic silver medalists Mariafe and Clancy to win bronze (15-21, 21-19, 15-8) at the World Championships. Nuss and Klothe then cruised to win Gold at the World Tour Finals, not dropping a single set, to reach the No. 2 FIVB ranking and qualify for the Olympics in Paris.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President of womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2025 Women Fitness
2024: Olympics
Nuss participated in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris with Kloth.
Achievements and titles
Highest world ranking No. 2 (Dec 2023)
Medal record: Women’s beach volleyball: Representing the United States
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Tlaxcala Beach
World Tour Finals
Gold medal – first place 2023 Doha Beach
World Tour
Gold medal – first place 2022 Coolangatta Beach
Gold medal – first place 2022 Kusadasi Beach
Gold medal – first place 2023 La Paz Beach
Gold medal – first place 2023 Uberlandia Beach
Gold medal – first place 2024 Espinho Beach
Gold medal – first place 2024 Gstaad Beach
Silver medal – second place 2023 Hamburg Beach
Silver medal – second place 2023 Paris Beach
Silver medal – second place 2024 Brasilia Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Gstaad Beach
AVP Tour
Gold medal – first place 2021 Atlanta Beach
Gold medal – first place 2022 Austin Beach
Gold medal – first place 2022 Chicago Beach
Gold medal – first place 2022 Phoenix Beach
Gold medal – first place 2023 Atlanta Beach
Gold medal – first place 2023 Chicago Beach
Gold medal – first place 2024 Huntington Beach
Silver medal – second place 2022 New Orleans Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Chicago Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2023 New Orleans Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Huntington Beach
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Kristen Nuss an exceptionally talented American beach volleyball player, she is at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour and has won seven Gold, three Silver, and one Bronze Medals here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, and her success story.
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in New Orleans, Louisiana, US. You were a multi-sport athlete throughout high school. With Mount Carmel Academy you led it to three indoor volleyball state championships as well as two basketball championships. You participated in LSU Beach Volleyball during your junior years at the collegiate level, here you amassed the most career wins in LSU history, becoming the winningest player in collegiate beach volleyball history. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world as a beach volleyball player, ranked second in December 2023. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance.
Kristen Nuss:
Ever since I started playing sports which was at a very young age, I always wanted to be the best. I hated losing! My mom always said, “There is always somebody better than you.” This motivated me to push myself to get better and better. I tried to listen to every coach from my youth days up until the present day. My coaches are who have molded me into the player I am today. My refusal to lose is what I still fall back on today.
Namita Nayyar:
You and your playing partner Taryn Kloth turned professional upon graduating in 2021, you won the Gold in the 2022 BPT Coolangatta Futures and thereafter, both beat the Tokyo Silver Medalists, Australians Mariafe Artacho del Solar and Taliqua Clancy, en route to the Gold at the 2022 BPT Kusadasi Challenge. That success has been replicated many times, with your pair becoming a name to reckon with in Beach Volleyball. Tell us more about your Rhythm, Coordination, and Understanding of each other moves on the Beach Volleyball court in advance, which has led both of you to succeed in the Beach Volleyball World Arena.
Kristen Nuss:
Taryn and my partnership always clicked from the beginning. There was just something different about the play on the court and then the icing on the cake was our friendship. We were just two friends having a ton of fun and success on the court. We balance each other out very well and not just from our statures.
Namita Nayyar:
You won a bronze medal in the 2023 Beach Volleyball World Championships that was held in Tlaxcala, Apizaco, and Huamantla, Mexico from 6 to 15 October 2023. Tell us more about this spectacular achievement of yours.
Kristen Nuss:
Being able to medal at our first World Championships was huge. From our decision in 2021 to pursue this career, we have done nothing other than put our heads down and work. The bronze medal at the world championships was that work coming to fruition. You always dream about being on the podium at large events like that, so it was a dream come true however, we are both always fighting for perfection so we are not content with that bronze… we want gold.
Namita Nayyar:
You were a LHSAA (Louisiana High School Athletic Association) Division I MVP and Gatorade Player of the Year candidate for indoor volleyball. How does such honor being bestowed upon you act as a catalyst in your meteoric rise as a world-leading beach volleyball player?
Kristen Nuss:
Those awards are an honor but for me, none of the above could have happened without my team and coaches. So, I think these awards just provide motivation to perform for the people around me. I want to win for them and playing for others I believe pushes you to perform better.
Namita Nayyar:
You won the Gold Medal at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour held in Doha in 2023. Elaborate on this landmark achievement in your career as a Beach Volleyball player.
Kristen Nuss:
The World Tour Finals is huge for beach volleyball players since it is the largest prize purse in the sport, and you are competing against the top teams in the world. Winning in 2023 provided us with a clear image that what we are doing day in and day out in practice is working. It kind of solidified that we are on the right path. It also provided a very important payday as beach volleyball is not known to be the most lucrative sport.
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Kristen Nuss:
My exercise program involves a lot of explosive movements for leg days. We may not necessarily be lifting super heavy, but we want to be moving the trap bar quickly. I also do a good bit of explosive lateral movements either with body weight or a 6lb medicine ball.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Kristen Nuss:
The ab wheel is a secret weapon. In my opinion, it is the most bang for your buck. You do not need to do many of them to feel the burn and get results.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Kristen Nuss:
I try to maintain a high protein, lower calorie diet. I look for a lot of recipes that have a lot of quantity but lower calories.
Namita Nayyar:
Five foods you love and five you keep to a minimum.
Kristen Nuss:
Five foods I love and eat on the regular are cottage cheese (good culture), Gatsby chocolate, smart pop kettle corn, peaches and pineapple, and legendary chips. These five are kind of my go-to snacks at the moment. I can’t think of five that I keep to a minimum. You can eat whatever you want as long as it is in moderation. Cookies are at the top of my list for something that I LOVE but I eat in moderation.
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your hair care and skincare routine.
Kristen Nuss:
I use Amika shampoo and conditioner just about every night. I was my hair just about every day due to the constant sweat and sand. To be honest, that is all I really do for my hair. For my skincare, I use Dermalogica products. Daily moisturizer with SPF is huge. Additionally, I highly recommend using their microfoliant daily. I mix the microfoliant with their face wash every night in the shower.
Namita Nayyar:
You must have a Coach who has been a catalyst who helped you pave the way to rise in your career with discipline and a never-stopping attitude. Elaborate about his/her influence on your professional life.
Kristen Nuss:
I would not be the player I am today without our current coach Drew Hamilton. He has molded me into the player I am today. His specific training philosophy is unmatched in this sport. He sees the game differently and has trained us in a unique way to not be dependent on him when we travel or compete.
Namita Nayyar:
Five athletic leisure brands you love to wear.
Kristen Nuss:
Some athleisure brands that I wear when I train or travel are Lululemon, Vuori, alo, Fabletics and of course, I love playing in Slunks.
Namita Nayyar:
Five travel destinations on your wish list.
Kristen Nuss:
Five travel destinations at the top of my list are Italy, Japan, Thailand, Napa or Sanoma for some wine, and Barcelona.
Namita Nayyar:
Quote, you live by.
Kristen Nuss:
“There is always someone better than you.” – Audrey Nuss, my mom
Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about a day in the life of ‘Kristen Nuss’.
Kristen Nuss:
A day in my life starts with a solid breakfast followed by a nice cup of coffee. In the past year, I have dove into coffee, so I make myself an Americano every day with fresh beans when I’m home. I am always trying new beans which are fun. The rest of the morning is typically me doing some work on the computer, a gym session, lunch, more computer or interviews or podcasts, and then its off to practice from 3-5:30. I come home, shower, and then make some dinner and crash in exhaustion on the couch watching a new or throwback show.
Namita Nayyar:
In sports like beach volleyball, how were you able to overcome any physical or sports injury setbacks and what advice can you give to those in a similar situation?
Kristen Nuss:
Something that I have learned over the years is to listen to my body. When I was younger, I would just keep pushing my body and that led to many injuries. Nowadays, I listen and take rest days. Rest days are so important for your overall health and well-being. They are not signs of weakness. They are signs of maturity and intelligence.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and the message for its visitors?
Kristen Nuss:
When I see Womenfitness.net, I am so impressed and motivated. I know the work it takes to keep your body in shape and healthy. It is hard and you have to make sacrifices so again, I gain a lot of respect for all the women on the website.
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding beach volleyball girls, who all are your fans and would like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of playing beach volleyball?
Kristen Nuss:
Write your path. You can follow and take things from different people but at the end of the day, it is your own story. You can write your own path. At the end of the day, ask yourself, are you happy with the work you put in today? Beach volleyball relies heavily on your own motivation so you should set tangible goals that you can constantly check off to keep you motivated and driven to keep pursuing your top goals.
Namita Nayyar:
You have an impressive Instagram following of 56.1k followers. A message for your ardent admirers.
Kristen Nuss:
Reach out! I love interacting with people on Instagram or answering any questions. I promise I will try to answer when I have time.
Kristen Nuss Social Media Presence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristen_nuss/
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President of womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2025 Women Fitness