Lambert, Metzger triumph in Chicago
Advertiser Staff
Hawai'i's Mike Lambert and Stein Metzger defeated Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser, 21-16, 21-18, to capture the Association of Volleyball Professionals' Chicago Open yesterday.
It was the third win of the season for the Punahou School graduates, who were the top seeds.
"The rivalry between the two teams is good for the sport," Lambert said. "Clearly Phil and Todd have been the team dominating so far with five titles. We are at three and knocking on the door just pushing behind them."
Rogers and Dalhausser won the last stop on the AVP Tour in Alabama, but admitted they were not on their game in yesterday's title match.
"It comes down to who transitions well, and in this game they did," Rogers said. "They were transitioning and making the kill 70 to 80 percent of the time. When someone is firing on those pistons it is hard to stop them. If you reverse three to four of those transitions the feel of play is different."
Lambert and Metzger reached the final by defeating Dax Holdren and Sean Scott in the semifinals, 21-14, 21-17. Dalhausser and Rogers advanced with a 21-17, 21-14 victory over Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal.
On the women's side, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh beat Rachel Wacholder and Elaine Youngs, 21-14, 21-15, for their eighth win of the season. The victory allowed Walsh to surpass $1 million in career earnings.
"Misty May-Treanor first took me to a gold medal and now my partner has taken me to this," Walsh said of her milestone victory. "We have a long way to go. I love playing and I have such a passion for it."
The AVP Crocs Tour continues at the AVP Manhattan Beach Open, Aug. 10 to 13.
www.avp.com contributed to this report