The 2024 Hermosa Seaside Open shipped a Specific style of magic, Mixing environment-course athleticism While using the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Beach front volleyball Group. Held September four–7 close to the Hermosa Seashore Pier, this yr’s tournament wasn’t simply a prevent within the competitive circuit—it absolutely was a celebration on the sport’s origins, featuring Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with rising stars and local heroes inside of a admirer-welcoming, no-frills natural environment.
The party had no stadium seating or flashy lover zones. In its place, spectators gathered around the courts, standing during the sand and sitting on Beach front towels as they cheered on elite athletes from just ft away. Organized with grassroots help and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Event returned to some purer Model of the game, the place Local community, Level of competition, and relationship were being the main target.
Around the Girls’s facet, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded everyone why they’re viewed as Amongst the most effective on the globe. Inside of a spectacular all-USC last, Cheng and Hughes dropped the initial established to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft right before roaring back to win the subsequent two. The choosing set came down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–18 get inside a thrilling finish. The victory marked a triumphant instant of their article-Olympic campaign and underscored their dominance heading into another AVP and international events.
The men’s closing featured A further Olympic-caliber clash. Former NBA ahead turned Seaside volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to facial area off in opposition to Miles Sodo66 Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved much too strong, successful in straight sets, 21–fourteen and 21–17. Budinger’s physicality at The web and Evans’ sharp instincts produced them the unstoppable duo of the weekend.
Across four days of Participate in, 130 teams competed in a very double-elimination structure that stored lovers on their toes and athletes grinding by way of long, Sunlight-soaked times. The Event also integrated a juniors division, which brought in many hundreds of young players wanting to learn, compete, and share the sand Together with the execs. It was a uncommon possibility for youth athletes to generally be A part of A significant volleyball celebration in addition to a beneficial 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 times of focus and laughter amid teammates. These images, commonly shared on-line, served showcase the splendor and intimacy from the Activity in its most reliable environment.
With its results, the Hermosa Beach front Open has sparked discussion about its upcoming. City leaders are Discovering a design comparable to Manhattan Beach, the place the municipality could take a larger purpose in web hosting the tournament each year. There’s also A much bigger intention in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning itself to be a designated instruction web page with the 2028 L. a. Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach front Open up was extra than simply a Match. It had been an announcement—proof that even in an period of huge contracts and world-wide broadcasts, Seaside volleyball’s heart continue to beats strongest in the sand, surrounded by Local community.