Phil Dalhausser earned beach volleyball’s top international honor, the World Tour’s Most Outstanding Player, for the fourth time and the first time since 2014.
Dalhausser, a 2008 Olympic champion, and partner Nick Lucena won three tournaments this season, including the World Tour Finals. At the 2016 Olympics, the duo lost to eventual gold medalists Alison Cerutti and Bruno Schmidt of Brazil in the quarterfinals.
Dalhausser was also named the Best Blocker for the seventh time and the Best Offensive Player for the fifth time. He has won more post-season awards, 30, than any other player.
Fellow American John Hyden was named the Most Inspirational Player. The 44-year-old, a two-time Olympian in indoor, finished top-five in four of his six international tournaments in 2017 with Ryan Doherty.
On the women’s side, Germany’s Laura Ludwig was named the Most Outstanding Player for the second consecutive season. Ludwig and partner Kira Walkenhorst swept the year’s two biggest tournaments: the world beach volleyball championships and World Tour Finals. They also won the two most prestigious tournaments of 2016: the Rio Olympics and World Tour Finals.
Ludwig was also named the Best Defensive Player, Sportswoman of the Year and Most Inspirational Player.
American April Ross was voted the Best Server for the fifth time and the third consecutive season.
Ross, a two-time Olympic medalist, has said she will reevaluate her partnership with Lauren Fendrick at the end of this season.
22-year-old Sara Hughes, won two national championships with Kelly Claes at USC, was honored as the Rookie of the Year.
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U.S. players honored by @FIVBBeach@PhilDalhausser (Most Outstanding Player )@johnhyden (Most Inspirational)@AprilRossBeach (Best Server) pic.twitter.com/2xvjzkC79i
— Seth Rubinroit (@SRubinroit) September 5, 2017