The 2024 Hermosa Seaside Open up sent a special form of magic, Mixing planet-course athleticism Along with the down-to-earth spirit that defines the beach volleyball Local community. Held September four–seven near the Hermosa Seaside Pier, this 12 months’s Event wasn’t just a halt on the competitive circuit—it had been a celebration with the Activity’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with growing stars and local heroes in a very lover-friendly, no-frills setting.
The celebration experienced no stadium seating or flashy lover zones. As an alternative, spectators gathered throughout the courts, standing from the sand and sitting down on Seashore towels because they cheered on elite athletes from just ft absent. Structured with grassroots guidance and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the tournament returned to a purer version of the game, where community, Competitiveness, and link have been the main focus.
Within the Females’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Every person why they’re deemed One of the very best on earth. Inside a dramatic all-USC remaining, Cheng and Hughes dropped the 1st set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft just before roaring back to gain the subsequent two. The choosing established came down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–18 gain in the thrilling finish. The victory marked a triumphant instant inside their publish-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the following AVP and international situations.
The Gentlemen’s final showcased Yet another Olympic-caliber clash. Previous NBA forward turned Seashore volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to confront off versus Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved far too effective, profitable in straight sets, 21–14 and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at The online and Evans’ sharp instincts created them the unstoppable duo of the weekend.
Across 4 days of Engage in, a hundred thirty teams competed in a very double-elimination format that held admirers on their toes and athletes grinding by long, Sunlight-soaked times. The Event also incorporated a juniors division, which introduced in hundreds of young players wanting to learn, compete, and share the sand Together with the execs. It was a unusual prospect for youth athletes to be Portion of A serious volleyball celebration and a useful recruiting second for school systems in attendance.
An entire Image gallery captured the essence of the tournament—from higher-flying spikes and gritty digs to quiet moments of concentrate and laughter amongst teammates. These photographs, commonly shared on the net, served showcase the natural beauty and intimacy of the Activity in its most reliable location.
With its good results, the Hermosa Beach front Open up has sparked discussion about its foreseeable future. Metropolis leaders are exploring a model comparable to Manhattan Beach front, wherever the municipality could acquire a larger part Sodo66 in hosting the Event per year. There’s also A much bigger aim in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning itself to be a specified instruction website for the 2028 L. a. Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Seaside Open was extra than just a tournament. It absolutely was an announcement—evidence that even in an era of huge contracts and worldwide broadcasts, beach volleyball’s coronary heart nevertheless beats strongest in the sand, surrounded by Group.