AVP League Championship Highlights at Oak Street Beach

Kristen Cruz lunged left, aiming to direct the ball towards an open area of sand. After an intense rally that held the crowd’s attention at Oak Street Beach, she needed a breather and hoped for the point’s end. Fortunately, the ball landed where she aimed. “Both opponents were at the net front, with me at the line,” Cruz remarked. “I simply spotted the open sand and made the shot. Luckily, it scored.” This action gave the Austin Aces a 12-11 lead in the second set, energizing the crowd.

Taryn Brasher, Cruz’s partner, said, “Her decision-making and touch with the ball are exceptional.” The Aces secured four final points to win in straight sets against the Palm Beach Passion. Despite having the best league record, Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson finished as runners-up again. The Passion’s duo were also 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalists in beach volleyball.

Phil Dalhausser, a past Olympic gold medalist, wowed the crowd first in the morning, later returning for the men’s championship.

Despite withdrawing from a prior event due to a calf injury, Dalhausser and Trevor Crabb clinched their second consecutive title. The Palm Beach Passion’s men’s team defeated New York Nitro’s Chaim Schalk and James Shaw for this year’s title. Dalhausser noted, “At 46, injuries are common. It’s about playing despite discomfort. Ignoring it prevents it from worsening.” His six blocks, despite a calf wrap, highlighted his 2008 gold medal-winning skill.

Dalhausser emphasized teamwork, “People notice blocks, but not Trevor’s strategic serves, which hinder the opponent’s side outs.” The duo overcame San Diego Smash in a gripping semifinal, with Dalhausser contributing seven points in a 9-0 first set run, winning 15-11. “We started slow, mostly me,” Crabb admitted. “Phil’s serves and blocks helped rally back, securing our win.”

The Smash’s last attempt met Dalhausser’s block for a 19-17 second set victory. Although he didn’t ace during the championship match, he was unfazed. “My jump serve was on point in practice,” Dalhausser said. “Though it didn’t last, our side-out and block game sufficed.”

The Aces defeated Miami Mayhem’s Kelly Cheng and Megan Kraft in the women’s semifinal, rallying from a 3-0 setback to win 15-8 in the first set, followed by a 15-9 second victory, reaching the final. “It’s about focusing on our play, not the score,” Cruz mentioned. “Controlling the first ball and relying on defense was key.”

Andy Martinez is a freelance journalist for the Chicago Tribune.