The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open delivered a special form of magic, Mixing globe-class athleticism With all the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seashore volleyball Group. Held September four–seven close to the Hermosa Beach front Pier, this calendar year’s Event wasn’t simply a quit to the aggressive circuit—it had been a celebration with the Activity’s origins, that includes Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with mounting stars and native heroes in a very lover-welcoming, no-frills atmosphere.
The occasion experienced no stadium seating or flashy lover zones. Rather, spectators collected within the courts, standing from the sand and sitting on beach towels since they cheered on elite athletes from just feet absent. Arranged with grassroots assistance and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Event returned into a purer Edition of the sport, in which Group, competition, and link were the main focus.
On the Gals’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded All people why they’re deemed Among the many very best on the globe. Within a spectacular all-USC remaining, Cheng and Hughes dropped the initial set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft in advance of roaring again to win the next two. The choosing set arrived all the way down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–eighteen earn inside of a thrilling complete. The victory marked a triumphant instant inside their write-up-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the following AVP and Worldwide activities.
The Gentlemen’s last featured another Olympic-caliber clash. Previous NBA forward turned Beach front volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to facial area off from Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved also effective, profitable in straight sets, 21–14 and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at the net and Evans’ sharp instincts built them the unstoppable duo on the weekend.
Throughout four times of play, one hundred thirty groups competed in the double-elimination structure that held followers on their toes and athletes grinding through very long, sun-soaked days. The Match also involved a juniors division, which introduced in countless youthful gamers eager to find out, compete, and share the sand While using the pros. It was a unusual prospect for youth athletes to generally be A part of A significant volleyball function and also a important recruiting instant for school systems in attendance.
A complete Photograph gallery captured the essence in the tournament—from higher-traveling spikes and gritty digs to peaceful moments of aim and laughter among the teammates. These illustrations or photos, commonly shared on the web, helped showcase the beauty and intimacy with the sport in its most reliable environment.
With its achievement, the Hermosa Beach front Open up has sparked discussion about its future. City leaders are Checking out a product much like Manhattan Seashore, exactly where the municipality could choose a larger position in web hosting the tournament every year. There’s also An even bigger goal in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning itself to become Sodo66 a specified teaching website to the 2028 La Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Seashore Open up was much more than simply a Match. It had been a statement—evidence that even in an period of big contracts and world-wide broadcasts, Seaside volleyball’s coronary heart still beats strongest in the sand, surrounded by community.