- April 30, 2024
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Phil Dalhausser has won the Best Blocker Award seven times in his 14 years. Photo courtesy of FIVB
Dalhausser is scheduled to compete in the 2017 Beach World Championships, which begin on July 28, in Vienna Austria. Photo courtesy photo of FIVB
Dalhausser and his partner, Nick Lucena, pose after winning gold in Russia. Photo courtesy of FIVB
Dalhausser gets up high for a big serve against Brazil. Photo courtesy of FIVB
When he and his partner, Nick Lucena, upset beach volleyball great Karch Karily and Mike Lambert in 2004, Phil Dalhausser was convinced he had found his career. Thirteen years later, an Olympic gold medal, multiple world championships and several Player of the Year awards, he remains one of the top beach volleyball pros.
Dalhausser’s volleyball career began his senior year at Mainland High School in 1998. Done with baseball and unenthused about basketball — despite his then 6 foot 7 inch frame — Dalhausser’s math teacher who was Mainland’s volleyball coach suggested he give the sport a try, to which he agreed.
“When I played, everything came natural to me,” Dalhausser said. “I became obsessed with the sport. I would spend all of my summers playing at the Ocean Deck with my friend.”
Dalhausser attended the University of Central Florida, where he dominated the sport, winning several honors. After graduation, he said he didn’t want — in his words — a “real job,” so Dalhausser pursued a professional beach volleyball career in 2003.
After Dalhausser and Lucena’s big upset win, the two played another year together, but Dalhausser teamed up with fellow American Todd Rogers in 2006, and they won big, including the 2007 Beach Volleyball World Championships in Switzerland, Dalhausser’s birthplace.
“That was one of the coolest things that happened in my career,” he said. “My parents (Ormond residents) and a lot of my
“I like winning. If I can keep winning, chances are I’m gonna keep playing.”
PHIL DALHAUSSER
relatives were there to see it.”
The pair won three straight international tournaments leading up to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China, which they won gold over defending champions Brazil. Dalhausser was named tournament MVP.
Having played 14 years, Dalhausser has already become one of the most decorated and successful beach volleyball players in history. In addition to his Olympic gold medal, he has been awarded the Association of Volleyball Professional’s Best Blocker in 2008 and 2009, Best Offensive Player from 2005-2009, Most Improved Player in 2006, Most Valuable Player from 2007-2009, and he and Rodgers won Team of the Year from 2007-2009.
In FIVB (International Volleyball Federation) competition, Dalhausser has also won Sportsperson of the Year in 2008, Most Outstanding (2010, 2011 and 2013), Best Blocker (2005-2008, 2010, 2012 and 2014), Best Setter (2009-2012, 2014 and 2015), Best Hitter from 2007-2010, and Best Server in 2014. He and Rodgers holds the FIVB record with a 40-match win streak.
Dalhausser reunited with his first partner, Lucena, in 2015, and the two won gold at the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour earlier this month in Moscow, Russia. Dalhausser holds many other records and has achieved many other accomplishments.
Now 37 years old, Dalhausser hopes to continue playing up to the 2020 Olympic Olympics. When asked about his motivation after having won everything, Dalhausser said, “I like winning. If I can keep winning, chances are I’m gonna keep playing.”
Dalhausser married fellow professional volleyball player Jennifer Corral in 2011, and they have two children.
