The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up delivered a special sort of magic, Mixing globe-course athleticism With all the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seashore volleyball Neighborhood. Held September 4–seven near the Hermosa Seaside Pier, this 12 months’s Event wasn’t just a cease to the aggressive circuit—it was a celebration in the sport’s origins, that includes Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with soaring stars and native heroes inside a admirer-helpful, no-frills ecosystem.
The event had no stadium seating or flashy enthusiast zones. Alternatively, spectators collected round the courts, standing during the sand and sitting down on Beach front towels since they cheered on elite athletes from just toes absent. Structured with grassroots aid and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Event returned to your purer Model of the sport, wherever Local community, Level of competition, and relationship ended up the main target.
To the Women of all ages’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Everybody why they’re regarded as among the most effective in the world. Inside of a spectacular all-USC ultimate, Cheng and Hughes dropped the primary set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft before roaring again to acquire the next two. The selecting set came all the way down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a 20–eighteen acquire within a thrilling complete. The victory marked a triumphant minute in their write-up-Olympic campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the next AVP and Global activities.
The men’s closing featured A further Olympic-caliber clash. Sodo66 Former NBA ahead turned beach volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to facial area off in opposition to Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved too highly effective, winning in straight sets, 21–14 and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at the net and Evans’ sharp instincts built them the unstoppable duo in the weekend.
Throughout four days of Enjoy, 130 teams competed inside of a double-elimination format that held supporters on their own toes and athletes grinding through prolonged, Solar-soaked days. The Match also involved a juniors division, which brought in numerous youthful gamers eager to find out, contend, and share the sand with the pros. It had been a exceptional option for youth athletes to become Section of An important volleyball event along with a worthwhile recruiting minute for faculty courses in attendance.
An entire photo gallery captured the essence of the tournament—from large-flying spikes and gritty digs to peaceful moments of target and laughter amid teammates. These photographs, commonly shared on the net, served showcase the natural beauty and intimacy of your Activity in its most reliable placing.
With its results, the Hermosa Seashore Open has sparked conversation about its long term. City leaders are Checking out a design just like Manhattan Seaside, exactly where the municipality could consider a bigger job in internet hosting the tournament yearly. There’s also a bigger intention in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning by itself to become a specified education web page for your 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Seashore Open was more than simply a tournament. It absolutely was an announcement—proof that even within an era of massive contracts and world-wide broadcasts, beach volleyball’s coronary heart nevertheless beats strongest within the sand, surrounded by Group.