The 2024 Hermosa Beach front Open up sent a Particular kind of magic, blending earth-course athleticism While using the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seaside volleyball Local community. Held September four–seven close to the Hermosa Beach front Pier, this year’s tournament wasn’t only a end over the competitive circuit—it absolutely was a celebration from the sport’s origins, featuring Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with growing stars and local heroes within a admirer-helpful, no-frills environment.
The party experienced no stadium seating or flashy supporter zones. In its place, spectators collected throughout the courts, standing while in the sand and sitting on Beach front towels as they cheered on elite athletes from just toes away. Structured with grassroots aid and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Match returned to a purer Variation of the game, where Group, Levels of competition, and connection were being the main focus.
On the Gals’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded All people why they’re deemed Amongst the greatest in the world. In the extraordinary all-USC final, Cheng and Hughes dropped the 1st established to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft before roaring back to get the subsequent two. The selecting established arrived right down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a 20–18 get in the thrilling end. The victory marked a triumphant moment inside their submit-Olympic campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the subsequent AVP and international events.
The Adult males’s ultimate featured another Olympic-caliber clash. Previous NBA ahead turned Seaside 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 manufactured them the unstoppable duo in the weekend.
Throughout four days of Enjoy, 130 groups competed inside of a double-elimination structure that kept supporters on their own toes and athletes grinding as a result of extended, Solar-soaked times. The tournament also involved a juniors division, which introduced in many hundreds of youthful gamers desperate to find out, compete, and share the sand Along with the execs. It was a rare possibility for youth athletes being A part of A significant volleyball function and also a important recruiting instant for school packages in attendance.
A complete Photograph gallery captured the essence in the tournament—from higher-traveling spikes and gritty digs to quiet times of emphasis and laughter amongst teammates. These images, commonly shared on the web, served showcase the splendor and intimacy from the Activity in its most authentic environment.
With its success, the Hermosa Seaside Open up has sparked dialogue about its potential. Metropolis leaders are exploring a design just like Manhattan Beach front, in which the municipality could acquire a bigger function in hosting the tournament each year. There’s also A much bigger purpose in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning by itself to be a specified schooling website for your 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Seaside Open was far more than just a Match. It had been an announcement—proof that even within an period of huge contracts and world wide broadcasts, Seashore volleyball’s heart still beats strongest within the sand, surrounded by Sodo66 community.