The 2024 Hermosa Seashore Open shipped a Exclusive type of magic, Mixing environment-class athleticism Using the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Beach front volleyball community. Held September 4–seven near the Hermosa Seaside Pier, this year’s tournament wasn’t simply a prevent on the aggressive circuit—it absolutely was a celebration of your Activity’s origins, that includes Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with growing stars and local heroes in a lover-helpful, no-frills natural environment.
The celebration had no stadium seating or flashy fan zones. Instead, spectators collected across the courts, standing within the sand and sitting down on Seaside towels since they cheered on elite athletes from just feet absent. Organized with grassroots guidance and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the tournament returned to the purer Edition of the sport, exactly where Local community, Levels of competition, and connection have been the main target.
Within the Women of all ages’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded everyone why they’re viewed as among the greatest on the globe. Inside a remarkable all-USC closing, Cheng and Hughes dropped the main established to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft prior to roaring back to gain the subsequent two. The choosing established arrived down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–18 get in a thrilling complete. The victory marked a triumphant minute within their publish-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the subsequent AVP and Worldwide occasions.
The men’s closing featured An additional Olympic-caliber clash. Previous NBA forward turned Beach front volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to deal with off against Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved far too potent, successful in straight sets, 21–fourteen and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at the net and Evans’ sharp instincts created them the unstoppable duo of your weekend.
Throughout four days of Perform, one hundred thirty groups competed inside of a double-elimination structure that kept supporters on their toes and athletes grinding by extensive, sun-soaked times. The Event also bundled a juniors division, which introduced in hundreds of youthful gamers wanting to study, compete, and share the sand Along with the professionals. It had been a uncommon opportunity for youth athletes to be part of An important volleyball celebration plus a useful recruiting moment for faculty systems in attendance.
A full Image gallery captured the essence on the tournament—from superior-flying spikes and gritty digs to silent moments of aim and laughter amid teammates. These pictures, greatly Sodo66 shared on the web, helped showcase the magnificence and intimacy from the Activity in its most reliable setting.
With its results, the Hermosa Beach Open has sparked discussion about its future. City leaders are Discovering a design comparable to Manhattan Beach, in which the municipality could just take a bigger function in internet hosting the Match every year. There’s also A much bigger target in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning alone to be a specified teaching site for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up was more than simply a Event. It had been an announcement—proof that even within an era of massive contracts and world broadcasts, Seashore volleyball’s heart still beats strongest in the sand, surrounded by Group.