NEW YORK -- If there was a statement to be made -- a declaration that top-seeded Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers weren't looking past the AVP toward next month's summer Olympics -- it took form very quickly. Dalhausser slammed three straight blocks into the sand to start the Brooklyn Open final, an impressive opening salvo against the No. 2-seeded team of Sean Scott and Nick Lucena. Less than 90 minutes later, he and Rogers were holding the $25,000 check and celebrating a tournament victory after a 21-16, 21-12 win Saturday afternoon live on NBC in Coney Island.
"It didn't hurt us, that's for sure," Dalhausser said of the first three points.
The Olympics-bound team took Scott and Lucena out of the match quickly -- mentally more than physically. Scott earned a yellow card in the first game and Lucena in the second. It was clear how difficult Dalhausser and Rogers are to beat when they're both playing at their best.
"They're like a snowball heading downhill right now," Scott said.
Rogers has now won 44 open titles and Dalhausser has 32. Together they have 31 titles. Dalhausser's lone title without Rogers, ironically, came when he teamed with good friend Lucena in Austin, Texas in 2005. Scott and Rogers used to team together as well. Two years ago at the King of the Beach, Rogers picked Scott as his partner. So, there was plenty of familiarity.
It didn't help Scott and Lucena on Saturday, though.
"I think it neither helps nor hurts anyone," Rogers said. "I think it makes for a better match."
He and Dalhausser were never really challenged, though. Scott and Lucena never could string together any significant runs. Dalhausser's block is probably the best in the world and Rogers' defensive skill is unmatched in the AVP, where he has been named defensive player of the year the past four seasons.
Dalhausser had five blocks and seven kills in the final and Rogers notched 20 kills and 15 digs.
This year, the soon-to-be Olympians have won eight of nine AVP Tour events they have entered and they have been victorious in 45 of their 47 matches.
In just the second year of their partnership, Dalhausser and Rogers have already reached the top-10 overall victories -- counting international and domestic events.
"They make you do things that other teams don't make you do," Lucena said. "They're unstoppable right now."
That's exactly what the United States wants to hear as Dalhausser and Rogers get set for Beijing. Rogers said he and Dalhausser spoke over the winter about Olympics preparation and they came to the decision that they wouldn't do anything differently -- they would just play the game that has made them so successful.
"Let's just stay in the same rhythm," Rogers recalls saying months ago.
It seems to be working for them with a chance to win a gold medal on the horizon. Neither has played in the Olympics before and they are certainly one of the favorites to bring gold back to America.
And Lucena won't expect anything less. When asked if Dalhausser and Rogers can win gold in Beijing, he had a short reply:
"They better!"