The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open sent a Exclusive type of magic, blending environment-class athleticism with the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seaside volleyball Local community. Held September four–seven close to the Hermosa Seashore Pier, this calendar year’s tournament wasn’t just a quit about the competitive circuit—it had been a celebration in the sport’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with rising stars and native heroes in a very supporter-pleasant, no-frills natural environment.
The celebration had no stadium seating or flashy enthusiast zones. As an alternative, spectators gathered within the courts, standing from the sand and sitting on Beach front towels because they cheered on elite athletes from just toes away. Structured with grassroots assist and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the tournament returned to your purer version of the sport, in which Group, Level of competition, and link were being the focus.
To the Ladies’s facet, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Every person why they’re regarded as Among the many greatest in the world. In the dramatic all-USC last, Cheng and Hughes dropped the main established to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft prior to roaring back to acquire the subsequent two. The determining established arrived right down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a 20–18 earn inside a thrilling end. The victory marked a triumphant second within their submit-Olympic campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the next AVP and international occasions.
The Guys’s last featured An additional Olympic-caliber clash. Previous NBA ahead turned Seaside volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to confront off towards Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved too powerful, profitable in straight sets, 21–14 and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at the net and Evans’ sharp instincts made them the unstoppable duo of the weekend.
Throughout four times of Perform, a hundred thirty groups competed within a double-elimination format that stored admirers on their toes and athletes grinding by very long, Solar-soaked days. The tournament also involved a juniors division, which introduced in numerous younger gamers desperate to discover, compete, and share the sand While using the pros. It was a rare chance for youth athletes being part of a major volleyball event as well as a useful recruiting second for college programs in attendance.
A full Image gallery captured the essence with the Match—from large-flying spikes and gritty digs to tranquil moments of focus and laughter among the teammates. These illustrations or photos, commonly shared on the web, assisted showcase the beauty and intimacy of the Activity in its most authentic placing.
With its good results, the Hermosa Beach Open has sparked dialogue about its foreseeable future. City leaders are Discovering a product similar to Manhattan Seaside, where the municipality could just take a bigger position in hosting the Match on a yearly basis. There’s also a bigger Sodo66 purpose in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning by itself to be a selected coaching internet site with the 2028 L. a. Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Seashore Open was far more than just a tournament. It absolutely was an announcement—proof that even within an period of huge contracts and worldwide broadcasts, Seaside volleyball’s heart nonetheless beats strongest inside the sand, surrounded by Neighborhood.