Howdy, partner! New beach pairings find success at Olympics

Alison Cerutti, right, of Brazil, hugs teammate Alvaro Morais Filho during a men's beach volleyball match against the United States at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Nicholas Lucena, center, of the United States, celebrates with teammate Philip Dalhausser during a men's beach volleyball match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Xue Chen, left, of China, and teammate Wang Zinzin celebrate winning a women's beach volleyball match against the Netherlands at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Nina Betschart, right, of Switzerland, helps teammate Tanja Huberli get out of the sand as they celebrate after winning a women's beach volleyball match against Japan at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Alexander Brouwer, left, of the Netherlands, celebrates with teammate Robert Meeuwsen after winning a men's beach volleyball match against Argentina at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Tri Bourne, left, of the United States, celebrates with teammate Jacob Gibb, after winning a men's beach volleyball match against Switzerland at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Wednesday, July 28, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)

Xue Chen, right, of China, and teammate Wang Zinzin, close in on the ball during a women's beach volleyball match against the Netherlands at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 27, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Felipe Dana)