The 2024 Hermosa Seaside Open up delivered a Unique form of magic, Mixing environment-class athleticism Using the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Beach front volleyball Neighborhood. Held September four–seven close to the Hermosa Beach front Pier, this year’s tournament wasn’t simply a cease over the aggressive circuit—it absolutely was a celebration of the Activity’s origins, that includes Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with climbing stars and local heroes in a lover-helpful, no-frills ecosystem.
The celebration had no stadium seating or flashy supporter zones. In its place, spectators collected across the courts, standing during the sand and sitting on Beach front towels as they cheered on elite athletes from just ft absent. Organized with grassroots assistance and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Event returned into a purer version of the game, where by Neighborhood, Competitiveness, and connection have been the main target.
About the women’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Everybody why they’re thought of among the very best on this planet. In a very extraordinary all-USC final, Cheng and Hughes dropped the initial set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft just before roaring back to get the following two. The choosing set came all the way 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 article-Olympic campaign and underscored their dominance heading into another AVP and Global Sodo66 situations.
The Adult males’s closing highlighted Yet another Olympic-caliber clash. Previous NBA forward turned Beach front volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to face off versus Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved way too potent, profitable in straight sets, 21–14 and 21–17. Budinger’s physicality at The online and Evans’ sharp instincts created them the unstoppable duo of the weekend.
Across 4 times of Engage in, a hundred thirty teams competed inside of a double-elimination format that retained followers on their own toes and athletes grinding via very long, Sunlight-soaked times. The Event also incorporated a juniors division, which introduced in a huge selection of younger gamers desperate to find out, contend, and share the sand Using the professionals. It had been a exceptional opportunity for youth athletes for being Component of An important volleyball event along with a useful recruiting second for college plans in attendance.
A full Photograph gallery captured the essence in the tournament—from high-traveling spikes and gritty digs to tranquil moments of emphasis and laughter amid teammates. These photographs, broadly shared on the internet, helped showcase the natural beauty and intimacy with the sport in its most reliable environment.
With its good results, the Hermosa Beach Open has sparked dialogue about its foreseeable future. City leaders are Discovering a design comparable to Manhattan Beach front, in which the municipality could acquire a bigger position in hosting the tournament on a yearly basis. There’s also a bigger target in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning alone to be a selected instruction web-site for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Seaside Open was far more than just a tournament. It was a statement—evidence that even within an period of huge contracts and world-wide broadcasts, Seashore volleyball’s heart even now beats strongest while in the sand, surrounded by Local community.