Dalhausser/Rogers Set AVP Records at Hermosa

The outcome of the AVP Hermosa Beach Open men's final was not a surprise as Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser, who've become known as "the professor and the beast," continued their dominance at the event, topping John Mayer and Matt Prosser 21-14 and 21-11 on Sunday in the championship match. 

Coming into the weekend, the duo had posted a 73-10 record on the 2010 circuit. They rolled through main draw play with only a few tough games Saturday and defeated Jeff Nygaard/Scott Olson and Brad Keenan/Casey Jennings along the way, setting themselves up for their fifth consecutive title in Hermosa Beach. 

In the first set of the championship match, Mayer and Prosser tried for a late rally, but an early 10-4 deficit was too much to overcome. In the second set, the challengers kept it close early, but Dalhausser and Rogers went on a 9-1 run in the middle of the set to seal the match and the title. 

Prosser was playing in front of friends and family, and the crowd tried to will the challengers to victory, but any momentum they gained was quickly snapped away by a Dalhausser block or a Rogers dig.

Perhaps the most exciting part of an otherwise uneventful match was Dalhausser recording 11 blocks, most against the southpaw Mayer. 

"I don't know if it is a record or not, but Johnny (Mayer) kept challenging me, and I was able to get a few blocks," Dalhausser said. 

As the match continued, it was evident in their performance that this was Mayer and Prosser's first appearance together in an AVP final. The duo chose to serve Rogers most of the match, but "the professor" was crafty, using a combination of cut-shots, angles, and high-line shots to outwit the challengers. 

Winning five consecutive championships, Dalhausser and Rogers also earned their 54th open championship, setting an AVP record for tournament wins and being the only team, men's or women's, to win five straight.

"Hermosa Beach is my favorite place to play," Rogers said, after accepting his prize money. "I love coming here, rolling around in the sand, and digging balls."

Prosser and Mayer entered the tournament as the 13th seed and advanced to the finals after beating Sean Scott/John Hyden and then Jeff Nygaard/Scott Olson in the contender's bracket. They dominated the field Saturday without dropping a single set. Earlier on Sunday they lost their first match of the weekend to who else, Dalhausser and Rogers, 21-19, 19-21, and 16-14. 

Dalhausser and Rogers improved their AVP best record to 83-11.