The 2024 Hermosa Seaside Open up shipped a Distinctive form of magic, Mixing planet-course athleticism Together with the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Beach front volleyball Group. Held September 4–7 near the Hermosa Seashore Pier, this calendar year’s Match wasn’t only a end about the competitive circuit—it had been a celebration of your Activity’s origins, featuring Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with growing stars and local heroes in a very lover-pleasant, no-frills atmosphere.
The function experienced no stadium seating or flashy enthusiast zones. Alternatively, spectators collected round the courts, standing in the sand and sitting on beach towels as they cheered on elite athletes from just feet absent. Arranged with grassroots assist and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Match returned into a purer Model of the game, the place community, Level of competition, and relationship were the main focus.
Over the Women of all ages’s facet, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Anyone why they’re thought of Among the many finest on the earth. In a very remarkable all-USC last, Cheng and Hughes dropped the very first established to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft right before roaring back again to get the next two. The selecting set arrived right down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a 20–eighteen acquire inside 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. Former NBA ahead turned Seaside 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–fourteen and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at The web and Evans’ sharp instincts made them the unstoppable duo with the weekend.
Throughout 4 days of Enjoy, 130 teams competed in a very double-elimination format that held admirers on their toes and athletes grinding by long, Sunlight-soaked times. The Event also incorporated a juniors division, which introduced in many hundreds of young players wanting to master, compete, and share the sand Together with the execs. It absolutely 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 packages in attendance.
A complete Picture gallery captured the essence of your Event—from high-flying spikes and gritty digs to quiet moments of focus and laughter among teammates. These photos, broadly shared on the web, aided showcase the splendor and intimacy with the Activity in its most genuine environment.
With its good results, the Hermosa Seaside Open has sparked dialogue about its Sodo66 upcoming. Town leaders are Discovering a design much like Manhattan Beach, where the municipality could take a bigger position in internet hosting the tournament annually. There’s also An even bigger intention in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning alone to become a selected schooling web-site for that 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up was a lot more than simply a Match. It was a press release—proof that even within an era of big contracts and world broadcasts, Seashore volleyball’s coronary heart however beats strongest while in the sand, surrounded by community.