The 2024 Hermosa Beach front Open up shipped a Specific type of magic, Mixing environment-class athleticism Using the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seashore volleyball Group. Held September 4–7 near the Hermosa Seashore Pier, this calendar year’s tournament wasn’t only a halt on the competitive circuit—it had been a celebration with the Activity’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with increasing stars and local heroes in the lover-welcoming, no-frills surroundings.
The celebration experienced no stadium seating or flashy lover zones. Rather, spectators gathered across the courts, standing inside the sand and sitting on Seaside towels because they cheered on elite athletes from just ft away. Organized with grassroots help and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Match returned into a purer Edition of the game, exactly where Neighborhood, Competitiveness, and link have been the main focus.
Within the Females’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Every person why they’re deemed among the very best on the planet. In a extraordinary all-USC closing, Cheng and Hughes dropped the 1st set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft prior to roaring again to earn the following two. The deciding established came all the way down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–18 gain in the thrilling finish. The victory marked a triumphant instant within their publish-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the following AVP and international gatherings.
The Guys’s final showcased Yet another Olympic-caliber clash. Previous NBA forward turned Seashore volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to confront off versus Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved way too potent, successful in straight sets, 21–fourteen and 21–17. Budinger’s physicality at The online and Evans’ sharp instincts created them the unstoppable duo of your weekend.
Across 4 times of Perform, a hundred thirty groups competed in the double-elimination structure that stored lovers on their toes and athletes grinding by means of extensive, Sunlight-soaked times. The Event also integrated a juniors division, which brought 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 Sodo66 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 concentrate and laughter amongst teammates. These photos, broadly shared on the web, aided showcase the magnificence and intimacy of your Activity in its most genuine placing.
With its accomplishment, the Hermosa Seashore Open has sparked conversation about its long term. City leaders are Checking out a product just like Manhattan Seaside, in which the municipality could consider a larger job in web hosting the Match each year. There’s also a bigger intention in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning by itself to become a selected schooling web-site to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach front Open up was a lot more than just a Match. It was a press release—proof that even in an period of big contracts and world broadcasts, Seashore volleyball’s heart however beats strongest while in the sand, surrounded by community.