Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers, reigning beach volleyball gold medalists, won the AVP Crocs Tour Huntington Beach Open Sunday. 

Dalhausser and Rogers, the top seeds, beat second-seeded Jake Gibb and Sean Rosenthal, 22-20, 21-17, to win their fourth title in five events this season. 

Facing game point in the first game, down 20-19, the notoriously stoic Dalhausser and Rogers calmly sided out to tie the game at 20, when Dalhausser took over - a block and an ace later, they were up 1-0 in the match. 

“We were able to get the points and come back,” Rogers said.  

Dalhausser and Rogers got ahead 5-2 in the second game, and except a short Gibb/Rosenthal rally that momentarily tied the score at 13, they stayed ahead. 

Top-seeded Nicole Branagh and Elaine Youngs beat second-seeded Jen Kessy and April Ross, 21-19, 21-17, to win the women’s title. 

Down 12-10 in game one, they went on a 7-1 run to stay ahead for good. In game two, they forged an early lead and retained it throughout, pulling away on a Branagh ace at 14-12. 

This tournament win solidifies the answer to the off-season question of who would replace the team of injured Misty May-Treanor and new mother Kerri Walsh atop the women’s field. Branagh and Youngs have now won four of five tournaments this year and have a match record of 25-1. 

Youngs said: “Being the top dog is something I’m enjoying.”