Friday, August 22, 2008

Californians Take Gold in Olympics

Both the Women's and Men's USA Beach Volleyball Teams captured gold medals in the olympics this week. Both of these two-person teams orginated from California.

First the women's team of Mays and Walsh defeated the home team of China.

Secondly the men's team of Rogers - Dauhalzer defeated a very tough Brazilian team.
beach volleyballers Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers have made history by winning the men's gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. The temperature in Beijing was hitting 100 degrees on the giant outdoor thermometer and the players sweat added a lot of extra spin to the ball.

Rogers built a regulation size beach volleyball court in the backyard of his home in Solvang and is expected to be grand marshall at the town's christmas parade.

Volleyball is the second most popular sport in Brazil (after soccer) but the Brazilians lost control when 6 foot 9 inch Calhausser repeatedly blocked shot after shot at the net. While the Americans get the gold - the two Brazilian teams earn both Silver and Bronze medals.

Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor won their second consecutive gold medal Thursday for women's beach volleyball by beating China's Wang Jie and Tian Jia in a driving rain storm which made for very slick ball. Volleyball is played in all weather conditions.

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