The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up sent a Unique style of magic, Mixing planet-course athleticism With all the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seashore volleyball Group. Held September 4–7 near the Hermosa Seaside Pier, this 12 months’s Event wasn’t merely a prevent around the competitive circuit—it was a celebration on the sport’s origins, featuring Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with climbing stars and local heroes in the supporter-helpful, no-frills natural environment.
The party experienced no stadium seating or flashy admirer zones. Alternatively, spectators gathered around the courts, standing in the sand and sitting down on beach towels because they cheered on elite athletes from just feet absent. Organized with grassroots support and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Event returned into a purer version of the sport, in which community, competition, and relationship have been the main target.
Within the women’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded All people why they’re regarded Amongst the greatest in the world. Within a spectacular all-USC final, Cheng and Hughes dropped the initial set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft ahead of roaring again to gain the next two. The deciding set arrived all the way down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–eighteen acquire in a very thrilling end. The victory marked a triumphant minute inside their article-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the subsequent AVP and Global gatherings.
The Adult men’s closing highlighted One more Olympic-caliber clash. Former NBA ahead turned Seashore volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to experience off in opposition to Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved also potent, profitable in straight sets, 21–14 and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at the net and Evans’ sharp instincts built them the unstoppable duo with the weekend.
Across four times of Perform, a hundred thirty teams competed in a very double-elimination format that held admirers on their toes and athletes grinding by lengthy, Sunshine-soaked times. The tournament also provided a juniors division, which introduced in a huge selection of younger gamers desperate to discover, compete, and share the sand While using the execs. It was a uncommon prospect for youth Sodo66 athletes to generally be A part of A significant volleyball function plus a precious recruiting minute for school systems in attendance.
A complete Photograph gallery captured the essence in the tournament—from high-traveling spikes and gritty digs to tranquil moments of concentrate and laughter among teammates. These images, greatly shared on the net, helped showcase the beauty and intimacy with the sport in its most genuine setting.
With its achievements, the Hermosa Seaside Open up has sparked conversation about its upcoming. City leaders are Discovering a product just like Manhattan Beach front, in which the municipality could choose a larger position in web hosting the tournament every year. There’s also A much bigger goal in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning itself to become a designated education site to the 2028 La Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Seashore Open up was extra than simply a Event. It absolutely was a press release—evidence that even within an era of big contracts and worldwide broadcasts, Seaside volleyball’s heart nonetheless beats strongest while in the sand, surrounded by Local community.