The 2024 Hermosa Seashore Open shipped a Exclusive type of magic, blending planet-class athleticism With all the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seashore volleyball Local community. Held September 4–7 close to the Hermosa Seashore Pier, this 12 months’s Match wasn’t just a quit about the competitive circuit—it was a celebration in the sport’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with rising stars and local heroes in a fan-friendly, no-frills surroundings.
The function had no stadium seating or flashy fan zones. Alternatively, spectators collected round the courts, standing within the sand and sitting down on Beach front towels as they cheered on elite athletes from just toes absent. Structured with grassroots aid and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Match returned into a purer version of the sport, exactly where community, Competitors, and relationship ended up the focus.
To the Girls’s facet, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded All people why they’re deemed Among the many best in the world. In a extraordinary all-USC final, Cheng and Hughes dropped the main set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft ahead of roaring back to acquire the subsequent two. The selecting established arrived all the way down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–eighteen gain in a thrilling finish. The victory marked a triumphant moment in their submit-Olympic campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the subsequent AVP and Global gatherings.
The Adult males’s remaining showcased A different Olympic-caliber clash. Previous NBA forward turned Beach front volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to facial area off versus Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved much too effective, profitable in straight sets, 21–fourteen and 21–17. Budinger’s physicality at The web and Evans’ sharp instincts manufactured them the unstoppable duo of your weekend.
Throughout 4 days of Engage in, one hundred thirty teams competed within a double-elimination format that saved supporters on their own toes and athletes grinding by way of lengthy, Sunshine-soaked times. The Event also incorporated a juniors division, which brought in hundreds of young players eager to find out, contend, and share the sand With all the execs. It absolutely was a scarce option for youth athletes to be A part of a major volleyball event and a valuable recruiting instant for faculty systems in attendance.
An entire Image gallery captured the essence of the Match—from substantial-flying spikes and gritty digs to tranquil moments of aim and laughter between teammates. These illustrations or photos, broadly shared on-line, served showcase the magnificence and intimacy on the Activity in its most genuine location.
With its accomplishment, the Hermosa Sodo66 Beach Open has sparked discussion about its long term. Metropolis leaders are Checking out a model just like Manhattan Beach front, in which the municipality could take a larger position in internet hosting the Match every year. There’s also A much bigger target in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning alone to be a selected training website to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up was more than simply a Match. It had been a statement—evidence that even in an era of massive contracts and international broadcasts, beach volleyball’s coronary heart however beats strongest from the sand, surrounded by Neighborhood.