Welcome to Slunk of the Week, our series, presented, of course, by Slunks, in which we nominate and choose a player, coach, or individual who had the biggest performance or impact in the week of beach volleyball, who got particularly Slunky, as it were, either with a big win, a breakout — something.
Would Nina Brunner come back?
Different, perhaps better question, would she want to?
Such was the dilemma when Brunner, the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist and arguably the MVP of those Paris Olympic Games, announced that she was pregnant at the end of that 2024 season. Prior to last weekend’s Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Saquarema Elite, she hadn’t played an event since the Hamburg Elite of 2024, where she won gold with Tanja Huberli.
An announcement late in the 2025 season answered at least one question: She would return to the Beach Pro Tour in 2026 with Huberli, who was sidelined herself with an injury after an excellent run with rookie Leona Kernen.
Which left, of course, one more question: How would she look?
That was answered definitively in Brazil: As good as ever.
Brunner was tremendous in her first event since becoming a mom to daughter, Mila, winning bronze in Saquarema alongside Huberli. On the way to bronze, they swept Lithuanian Olympians Monika Paulikiene and Aine Raupelyte, upset Kelly Cheng and Megan Kraft, swept the burgeoning duo of Sara Hughes and Ally Batenhorst, challenged world No. 1 Kristen Cruz and Taryn Brasher and took out former No. 1 Carol and Rebecca for bronze.
That’s a weighty list for a player who hadn’t seen a court in nearly two years.
And that is why Nina Brunner is our Slunk of the Week.
Week One Slunk of the Week: Taylor Crabb
About Slunks
Slunks were born from the ashes of failed attempts to recreate the past.
The congregation that makes up all Slunks embodies the active lifestyle and the benignant yet lupine attitude developed on the Southern California coast. It is our obligation as Slunks to pay homage to all who have Slunked before us. A true Slunk grinds to the point of exhaustion but also knows how to indulge in the savory fruits life has to offer.
Born within a community that grew up sitting in the sand, sipping cold ones, and playing for pride on the volleyball court, Slunks originated from those committed to spreading good vibes. We have reimagined the athletic apparel mission by allowing athletes to tell their stories through the products they wear. Slunks are made by turning recycled bottles into an amazing fiber to create athletic apparel you can feel good about wearing.
Made for the good of tomorrow and to spread the good Slunky vibes.
