Meet seaside volleyball gamers April Ross and Alix Klineman

“We both have a drink or two, you know, and we’re listening to music,” said Klineman to set the scene. “And she says, ‘By the way, I need a partner for the next Olympic Games.’ And she just looks at me. ”

It wasn’t a firm proposal, even though Klineman had prepared everything for her (“Of course I’ll play with you as if you’re better than me. I’ve only just started on the beach”), but it was a strong maaaaaaaybe.

“She says, ‘I mean, not now, you have to keep working, keep getting better, but maybe we could play together someday or something,'” said Klineman. “I remember thinking the next day, ‘Did I drink too much? Am I really imagining this to happen?'”