The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up delivered a special style of magic, blending entire world-course athleticism with the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seaside volleyball Group. Held September 4–7 near the Hermosa Seashore Pier, this calendar year’s tournament wasn’t just a halt within the competitive circuit—it had been a celebration on the sport’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with rising stars and native heroes in a very supporter-helpful, no-frills natural environment.
The function experienced no stadium seating or flashy supporter zones. As a substitute, spectators gathered across the courts, standing within the sand and sitting down on Seaside towels as they cheered on elite athletes from just ft away. Arranged with grassroots help and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the tournament returned to your purer version of the game, where Local community, Competitiveness, and connection ended up the focus.
To the Females’s aspect, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded everyone why they’re deemed Among the many most effective on the planet. In the spectacular all-USC closing, Cheng and Hughes dropped the main established to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft in advance of roaring back again to acquire the following 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 instant inside their submit-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the subsequent AVP and Worldwide events.
The Adult males’s ultimate featured A different Olympic-caliber clash. Former NBA ahead turned beach volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to deal with off towards Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved too strong, winning in straight sets, 21–14 and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at the net and Evans’ sharp instincts designed them the unstoppable duo from the weekend.
Throughout 4 days of Enjoy, 130 teams competed inside of a double-elimination format that retained followers on their own toes and athletes grinding as a result of extended, Solar-soaked days. The tournament also involved a juniors division, which introduced in numerous youthful gamers eager to understand, contend, and share the sand Using the professionals. It absolutely was a rare chance for youth athletes to get Element of a major volleyball function and also a important Sodo66 recruiting moment for college plans in attendance.
A complete Photograph gallery captured the essence with the Event—from superior-traveling spikes and gritty digs to silent times of focus and laughter among teammates. These pictures, extensively shared on the internet, assisted showcase the splendor and intimacy on the Activity in its most genuine environment.
With its good results, the Hermosa Seaside Open has sparked conversation about its future. Town leaders are Checking out a design much like Manhattan Beach, exactly where the municipality could take a bigger purpose in internet hosting the tournament yearly. There’s also An even 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 a lot more than simply a Match. It was a press release—proof that even in an period of big contracts and world broadcasts, Seashore volleyball’s heart continue to beats strongest while in the sand, surrounded by Neighborhood.