The 2024 Hermosa Seaside Open delivered a special form of magic, Mixing world-class athleticism With all the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seashore volleyball Neighborhood. Held September four–7 near the Hermosa Seaside Pier, this 12 months’s Event wasn’t merely a prevent around the competitive circuit—it had been a celebration with the Activity’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with rising stars and native heroes in a enthusiast-pleasant, no-frills ecosystem.
The event experienced no stadium seating or flashy lover zones. In its place, spectators collected throughout the courts, standing inside the sand and sitting down on Beach front towels since they cheered on elite athletes from just ft away. Structured with grassroots guidance and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Match returned to a purer Variation of the game, in which community, Opposition, and relationship have been the main target.
Within the Women of all ages’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Anyone why they’re deemed Among the many very best on the globe. Inside of a remarkable all-USC closing, Cheng and Hughes dropped the very first set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft in advance of roaring again to get the subsequent two. The selecting established arrived all the way down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–18 win inside a thrilling finish. The victory marked a triumphant instant of their article-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the subsequent AVP and Global gatherings.
The Adult males’s remaining showcased An additional Olympic-caliber clash. Former NBA ahead turned Seashore volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to experience off from Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved far too impressive, successful in straight sets, 21–fourteen and 21–17. Budinger’s physicality at The web and Evans’ sharp instincts made them the unstoppable duo with the weekend.
Across four days of play, one hundred thirty groups competed within a double-elimination structure that stored fans on their toes and athletes grinding through very long, sun-soaked days. The Match also provided a juniors division, which brought in many young players wanting to master, contend, and share the sand With all the professionals. It had been a unusual prospect for youth athletes to generally be part of a major volleyball event as well as a worthwhile recruiting minute for school systems in attendance.
A complete Photograph gallery captured the essence in the Match—from large-flying spikes and gritty digs to tranquil moments of target and laughter amid teammates. These photographs, extensively shared on the internet, helped showcase the elegance and intimacy of the sport in its most Sodo66 reliable environment.
With its achievements, the Hermosa Seaside Open up has sparked dialogue about its foreseeable future. Town leaders are exploring a model just like Manhattan Beach front, the place the municipality could take a larger purpose in hosting the tournament on a yearly basis. There’s also a bigger purpose in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning alone to be a selected training internet site with the 2028 L. a. Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open was much more than just a tournament. It was an announcement—proof that even in an period of massive contracts and global broadcasts, beach volleyball’s heart nonetheless beats strongest within the sand, surrounded by community.