Who says beach volleyball is a young men’s game?
This is the match of living beach volleyball dinosaurs. America vs. America. A packed centre court at the FIVB Beach Volleyball Championships in Vienna, Austria. Although this is only pool phase with both teams playing their first match in Vienna, it probably doesn’t get any better than this!
On one side Nick Lucena (37) and Phil Dahlhausser (37), Olympic gold medal winner from 2008. On the other side beach volleyball legend John Hyden (44) and his partner Ryan Doherty (33). This is the oldest player in the Championship (Hyden) together with the tallest one. Ryan Doherty is 2.14m tall, started out as a baseball player in his early years and made it into professional beach volleyball rather late. In total all 4 players sum up to age 151. This is incredible beach volleyball experience and an amazing show!
Ryan Doherty and John Hyden (in red) playing against Lucena/Dalhausser
When facing each other in early season at Fort Lauderdale (FL, USA), Dahlhausser/Lucena won in the tie break. This time it is a spectacular match at highest beach volleyball level. It is two “monster blockers” facing each other. Dahlhausser has been voted “best blocker” for many times in his career. Doherty’s physical apperance at the net is intimidating. In the first set he blocks one of his opponent’s shots with his face. Quite a rare occurrence in beach volleyball.
In a close and exciting match and after a 1:0 set lead for Hyden/Doherty, it is again Dahlhausser/Lucena who win the decisive tie break 16:14. Neverthelsee, both teams still have the chance to advance to the knock-out round and beach volleyball fans all over the world might wanna see these guys a long as possible in the tournament.
Check out the match in full length here:
http://https://www.beachvienna.com/en/media/mediathek
That’s interesting, I didn’t know the sport was played in Vienna. I love volleyball but I have never tried beach volleyball. I will add it to my bucket list.
Yes, if you play volleyball you should definitely give beach volleyball a try as well!
Hi! I played volleyball in high school but sucked something awful. I would love to say that playing on a beach would help but I doubt it! Very interesting article! kind regards, Peter.
Actually, I also didn’t like volleyball when playing in school. Still convinced that beach volleyball is way more fun!