The 2024 Hermosa Seaside Open up delivered a special form of magic, blending entire world-class athleticism Using the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seaside volleyball Local community. Held September 4–7 near the Hermosa Beach front Pier, this year’s tournament wasn’t simply a stop within the competitive circuit—it absolutely was a celebration of the Activity’s origins, that includes Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with increasing stars and native heroes in the supporter-helpful, no-frills setting.
The function had no stadium seating or flashy lover zones. As a substitute, spectators gathered around the courts, standing during the sand and sitting on beach towels since they cheered on elite athletes from just toes away. Structured with grassroots guidance and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Match returned into a purer version of the sport, in which community, Competitiveness, and connection ended up the main focus.
On the Women of all ages’s aspect, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Everybody why they’re considered among the greatest on the globe. Inside a spectacular all-USC last, Cheng and Hughes dropped the primary established to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft prior to roaring back again to get the subsequent two. The selecting established came down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a 20–18 acquire in a very thrilling complete. The victory marked a triumphant minute inside their write-up-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the subsequent AVP and Worldwide gatherings.
The Adult males’s remaining showcased One more Olympic-caliber clash. Former NBA ahead turned Seaside volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to confront off towards Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved as well powerful, profitable in straight sets, 21–14 and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at The web and Evans’ sharp instincts made them the unstoppable duo with the weekend.
Across 4 days of Enjoy, 130 teams competed in a double-elimination format that saved enthusiasts on their own toes and athletes grinding by way of long, Sunshine-soaked times. The Match also integrated a juniors division, which brought in hundreds of young players wanting to learn, contend, and share the sand With all the professionals. It had been a scarce chance for youth athletes to get Element of An important volleyball occasion plus a worthwhile recruiting second for college applications in attendance.
A full photo gallery captured the essence of the Event—from superior-traveling spikes and gritty digs to peaceful times of emphasis and laughter between teammates. These illustrations or photos, broadly shared on the web, assisted showcase the beauty and intimacy with the sport in its most reliable placing.
With its accomplishment, the Hermosa Beach Open up has sparked conversation about its upcoming. City leaders are Discovering a product similar to Manhattan Seashore, exactly where the municipality could choose a larger purpose in hosting the tournament per year. There’s also a bigger aim in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning alone to be a selected training web site for that 2028 L. a. Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach front Open up was much more than just a tournament. Sodo66 It was a press release—evidence that even within an era of huge contracts and world-wide broadcasts, Seashore volleyball’s coronary heart however beats strongest during the sand, surrounded by Group.