Dalhausser named men's beach volleyball Most Outstanding Player at Beijing Olympics

U.S. beach volleyballer Phil Dalhausser was named the Most Outstanding Player for the men's beach volleyball competition at the Beijing Olympics on Saturday.

He teamed with Todd Rogers to win the gold medals on Friday, defeating Marcio Araujo and Fabio Luiz Magalhaes of Brazil in the final.

"I'm on cloud nine, I guess," said the 2.06-meter Dalhausser after the gold medal match. "It's the best feeling I've ever had in my life. "I got in a zone. I was on a roll. I saw the ball and put my hand on it, and that's it."

Rogers, who was named the Most Outstanding Player when he and Dalhausser captured the 2007 SWATCH-FIVB World Championships, called his partner "a freak of nature. He can do everything the sport demands."

Brazil's Emanuel Rego, who won the Athens 2004 Olympic gold medal and captured the Beijing bronze with Ricardo Santos, called Dalhausser "a wall". "He is changing the way people see the sport. Before, it was about defense. Now, it is about blocking."

Dalhausser was named the SWATCH FIVB World Tour best blocker in 2006 and 2007, the best hitter in 2007 and the most improved player in 2006.

Misty May-Treanor of the United States, who was paired up with Kerri Walsh to win the women's title, was named the women's Most Outstanding Player in the beach volleyball competition. They defeated China's Tian Jia and Wang Jie in the final.

Source: Xinhua