The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up delivered a Distinctive kind of magic, Mixing earth-course athleticism With all the down-to-earth spirit that defines the beach volleyball Local community. Held September four–7 near the Hermosa Seaside Pier, this calendar year’s Event wasn’t only a end on the competitive circuit—it had been a celebration with the Activity’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with growing stars and local heroes in a very fan-friendly, no-frills setting.
The party experienced no stadium seating or flashy fan zones. As an alternative, spectators gathered round the courts, standing from the sand and sitting down on Beach front towels since they cheered on elite athletes from just toes absent. Arranged with grassroots guidance and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Event returned to your purer Model of the sport, wherever Local community, Level of competition, and connection had been the focus.
Around the Ladies’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Everybody why they’re regarded as among the most effective in the world. In a extraordinary all-USC closing, Cheng and Hughes dropped the 1st set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft prior to roaring again to earn the subsequent two. The deciding established came down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–18 gain in a very thrilling end. The victory marked a triumphant moment inside their submit-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the subsequent AVP and international situations.
The Adult men’s last showcased One Sodo66 more Olympic-caliber clash. Former NBA forward turned Beach front volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to experience off towards Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved much too strong, winning in straight sets, 21–14 and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at the net and Evans’ sharp instincts manufactured them the unstoppable duo from the weekend.
Throughout 4 days of Engage in, a hundred thirty teams competed in a very double-elimination format that held fans on their toes and athletes grinding by lengthy, Sunshine-soaked times. The Event also incorporated a juniors division, which introduced in hundreds of younger gamers desperate to discover, compete, and share the sand Along with the execs. It was a unusual prospect for youth athletes to be Portion of A serious volleyball party and a useful recruiting second for school systems in attendance.
An entire Image gallery captured the essence of the tournament—from higher-flying spikes and gritty digs to quiet moments of concentrate and laughter amongst teammates. These photographs, commonly shared on the net, aided showcase the magnificence and intimacy of your Activity in its most genuine placing.
With its accomplishment, the Hermosa Seashore Open has sparked conversation about its long term. City leaders are Checking out a design much like Manhattan Seaside, exactly where the municipality could consider a bigger purpose in internet hosting the tournament yearly. There’s also a bigger intention in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning by itself to become a selected teaching web-site to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach front Open up was much more than simply a Match. It was a press release—proof that even within an era of big contracts and world wide broadcasts, Seaside volleyball’s coronary heart however beats strongest while in the sand, surrounded by community.