Phil Dalhausser, one of the most decorated beach volleyball players of all time, hadn’t experienced winning in a long time.
It was 2022, to be exact. After capturing the AVP League Championship at Oak Street Beach on Sunday with his Palm Beach Passion teammate, Trevor Crabbe, however, Dalhausser had a realization.
“The last time I won an event was in 2022, so I kind of forgot how it feels,” Dalhausser said. “Turns out it feels really good.
“There’s something that I found that never gets old, and that’s winning.”
The AVP season ended with the team championships Sunday, starting with the Brooklyn Blaze team of Lexy Denaburg and Julia Donlin capturing the women’s title. Crabbe and Dalhausser took out crowd favorite Hagen Smith and Logan Webber of the L.A. Launch, 15-12, 16-14, to win the men’s title.
The Passion were up 14-12 in the second set with a chance to put it away. The Launch kept it interesting before Dalhausser put down a big block to end the match and win the title.
“Too interesting for my liking,” Dalhausser said.
Earlier in the week, Dalhausser’s wife, Jen, posted on social media that Dalhausser would return in 2026. The 45-year-old had previously announced that he was retiring after this season.
“Before the season I was like, 100 percent, I’m so over this,” Dalhausser said. “Enough of this working out every day. If I miss a workout, it’s in the back of my mind. If I eat a Snickers it’s like, dude, you shouldn’t be eating this. It’s constantly in my head. I think that’s the type of thing that keeps me going at 45.”
In addition to his wife saying on social media that she’s having too much fun for him to hang it up, other factors began to enter Dalhausser’s head as the summer went on.
“I’m playing good ball,” Dalhausser said. “All the love from the fans all season, ‘you can’t go’ and ‘one more,’ it just slowly chipped away. Then we got the bye into next season and it was kind of a no-brainer.”
Crabbe, 35, was excited to hear the news as well. He said he grew up watching Dalhausser, never expecting to get the chance to play with him. Now, they get another season together.
“When he gave me the call that he was coming back, I was pretty excited,” Crabbe said. “We’ve been playing good ball. I think we just got better as the season went on. We’re going to run it back next year.”
On the women’s side, the Brooklyn Blaze team of Denaburg and Donlin stayed hot all weekend to capture the team championship.
Following a quarterfinal win over Kelly Cheng and Naperville native Molly Shaw on Saturday, they took out top-seeded Taryn Brasher and Kristen Nuss in Sunday morning’s semifinals.
“It was a quick turnaround,” Donlin said.
Awaiting them was the Canadian duo of Melissa Humana-Paredes and Brandie Wilkerson, the 2024 Paris Olympic silver medalists who comprise the Palm Beach Passion. The Blaze were dominant in winning the title, 15-10, 15-10, earning an automatic spot for the 2026 season in the process.
“You expect that they’re going to play at the level that they’re capable of,” Donlin said. “Then stay patient because we have the lead, but keep the pressure on.”
Denaburg and Donlin each had friends and family in attendance, making the championship even more special to them.
“It’s hard to put into words,” Denaburg said. “I wouldn’t be who I am without my support system. I’m just so grateful to be able to have them in the stands and play for them.”
Dalhausser, the 2008 Olympic gold medalist, is out to prove that age is just a number in volleyball. He brought up legendary player and coach Karch Kiraly when speaking about his own longevity.
“Just because someone says I’m old at 45 doesn’t mean I can’t play,” Dalhausser said. “I’ve been bump, set and spiking my whole life.”
The nature of the AVP League also appeals to Dalhausser. Instead of playing intense double-elimination tournaments every weekend, the single-elimination schedule suits him better.
“The league is great for me because I don’t train like these guys,” Dalhausser said. “At a tournament, by Sunday, my legs feel 25 pounds heavier. That’s part of the reason I’m coming back. Unfortunate for the young guys.”
Crabbe is happy to be along for the ride. Paired together for the first time this season and now coming off a league championship, he’s looking forward to 2026.
“It’s pretty awesome,” Crabbe said. “Phil has just enough juice in the tank to play at a high level and still win the tournament.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Chicago Tribune.