The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open delivered a Exclusive kind of magic, Mixing world-course athleticism Together with the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seashore volleyball Local community. Held September 4–7 close to the Hermosa Seaside Pier, this yr’s tournament wasn’t simply a prevent on the aggressive circuit—it had been a celebration in the sport’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with mounting stars and local heroes inside a fan-welcoming, no-frills natural environment.
The celebration had no stadium seating or flashy lover zones. In its place, spectators gathered within the courts, standing from the sand and sitting down on Seaside towels since they cheered on elite athletes from just feet away. Structured with grassroots help and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Event returned to a purer Model of the sport, where Local community, Competitors, and link were being the focus.
Within the Gals’s facet, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Everybody why they’re regarded Amongst the very best on the earth. In a dramatic all-USC last, Cheng and Hughes dropped the 1st set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft ahead of roaring back again to earn the subsequent two. The determining established came all the way down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a 20–18 gain in the thrilling finish. The victory marked a triumphant second of their submit-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the next AVP and international situations.
The Guys’s final featured A further Olympic-caliber clash. Former NBA forward turned Seashore volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to face off from Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved also powerful, successful in straight sets, 21–fourteen and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at the net and Evans’ sharp instincts designed them the unstoppable duo in the weekend.
Throughout 4 days of Enjoy, 130 teams competed inside of a double-elimination structure that stored lovers on their own toes and athletes grinding by means of long, Solar-soaked days. The Event also provided a juniors division, which introduced in a huge selection of young players eager to find out, compete, and share the sand Together with the professionals. It had been a unusual prospect for youth athletes to generally be part of a major volleyball event along with a beneficial recruiting moment for faculty packages in attendance.
A full photo gallery captured the essence of your Match—from substantial-flying spikes and gritty digs to silent moments of focus and laughter among the teammates. These photographs, extensively shared online, aided showcase the attractiveness and intimacy from the Activity in its most reliable environment.
With its success, the Hermosa Seaside Open up has sparked dialogue about its foreseeable future. Town Sodo66 leaders are exploring a design similar to Manhattan Seaside, wherever the municipality could consider a larger purpose in web hosting the Event yearly. There’s also A much bigger purpose in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning alone to be a specified schooling website for your 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open was much more than simply a Event. It absolutely was an announcement—evidence that even within an era of big contracts and international broadcasts, beach volleyball’s heart nonetheless beats strongest within the sand, surrounded by Group.