Sunday, 22 Dec 2024

Americans Well-Positioned After Two Big Beach Wins

Big Third Set Keeps Dalhausser/Lucena in Contention for Bye to Playoffs

Tokyo, July 29, 2021 – In an exciting match, Phil Dalhausser and Nick Lucena showed resilience and determination as they secured a thrilling 2-1 victory (21-19, 18-21, 15-6) over Argentina’s Nicolas Capogrosso and Julian Amado Azaad at Shiokaze Park.

With this win, Dalhausser and Lucena guarantee themselves a third-place finish in pool D and another opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. However, their final standing in the pool will depend on the outcome of the match between Brazil’s Alison Cerutti/Alvaro Morais Filho and the Netherlands’ Alexander Brouwer/Robert Meeuwsen. If the Dutch team emerges victorious, Dalhausser and Lucena will secure second place and earn a bye to the playoffs. On the other hand, if Cerutti and Alvaro Filho win, Dalhausser and Lucena will find themselves in a three-way tie for first place, with their final ranking determined by the tiebreaker – point ratio. They may have to play in a Lucky Loser single elimination match to secure their place in the playoffs.

Reflecting on their performance, Lucena acknowledged that they struggled to find their rhythm in the first two sets, but found renewed energy in the third set that propelled them to victory. He added, “Hopefully we can use that momentum heading into the elimination match.”

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Dalhausser led the match with an impressive 19 points, closely followed by Lucena with 18 points. Both players showcased their attacking prowess with 17 successful attacks each, while Dalhausser also displayed his defensive skills with two blocks. Lucena contributed with one block. Together, they recorded a total of 34 attack points, four more than Capogrosso and Azaad, taking advantage of 17 Argentine errors.

In the crucial third set, Dalhausser and Lucena took an early lead of 4-2. A pivotal moment came when Dalhausser hit the ball into the net, but Lucena’s quick reflexes allowed him to set the ball, and Dalhausser made an emphatic spike to secure a 5-2 advantage. This play proved to be a significant momentum shift that propelled them forward. With a score of 6-4, Dalhausser and Lucena went on to win six consecutive points, taking a commanding 12-4 lead in the shortened set. Lucena’s powerful hit off the block sealed the set with a convincing 15-6 victory, securing the match for them.

The first and second sets showed a closely contested battle, with the U.S. team leading for most of the first set, never more than three points ahead. The Argentine duo fought back, saving two set points, before Dalhausser closed out the set with a decisive kill. The second set followed a similar pattern, but this time it was Capogrosso and Azaad who emerged victorious.

The outcome of the match between Alison/Alvaro Filho and Brouwer/Meeuwsen will play a crucial role in determining Dalhausser and Lucena’s final position in pool D. The match will take place at 6:00 a.m. Pacific Time, and if necessary, any Lucky Loser match will be held on Saturday, July 31, local time.

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FAQs

  • What is the significance of Dalhausser and Lucena’s win over Capogrosso and Azaad?
    Their victory ensures at least a third-place finish in pool D and another chance to compete at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020.

  • What is the potential outcome for Dalhausser and Lucena in the pool standings?
    The final standings will depend on the result of the match between Alison Cerutti/Alvaro Morais Filho and Alexander Brouwer/Robert Meeuwsen. If the Dutch team wins, Dalhausser and Lucena will secure second place and earn a bye to the playoffs. If Cerutti/Alvaro Filho win, Dalhausser and Lucena may have to rely on a tiebreaker to determine their final ranking.

  • How did Dalhausser and Lucena perform individually in the match?
    Dalhausser led the match with 19 points, while Lucena closely followed with 18 points. Both players demonstrated their attacking skills with 17 successful attacks each.

  • What was the turning point in the match for Dalhausser and Lucena?
    The pivotal moment came in the third set when Dalhausser hit the ball into the net, but Lucena’s quick reflexes allowed him to set the ball, and Dalhausser made an emphatic spike to secure a crucial point. This play shifted the momentum in their favor and propelled them to victory.

  • What are the next steps for Dalhausser and Lucena?
    The outcome of the match between Alison/Alvaro Filho and Brouwer/Meeuwsen will determine Dalhausser and Lucena’s final standing in pool D. They will continue to prepare for the playoffs and maintain their momentum heading into the next match.

Conclusion

Dalhausser and Lucena showcased their resilience and determination in a thrilling 2-1 victory over Capogrosso and Azaad. Their win guarantees them a third-place finish in pool D and keeps them in contention for a bye to the playoffs. As they look ahead to future matches, they will continue to build on their momentum and strive for success. Follow their journey at Alpinetgheep.

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