The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up delivered a Distinctive sort of magic, Mixing globe-class athleticism Using the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seashore volleyball Group. Held September 4–7 near the Hermosa Seashore Pier, this calendar year’s tournament wasn’t only a halt on the competitive circuit—it had been a celebration on the Activity’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with increasing stars and local heroes within a supporter-friendly, no-frills environment.
The party experienced no stadium seating or flashy fan zones. As an alternative, spectators gathered throughout the courts, standing from the sand and sitting down on Seashore towels since they cheered on elite athletes from just ft absent. Arranged with grassroots assist and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Match returned into a purer Model of the game, in which Neighborhood, Levels of competition, and relationship ended up the main focus.
About the Girls’s aspect, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Every person why they’re deemed One of the very best on the planet. Inside a dramatic all-USC remaining, Cheng and Hughes dropped the 1st set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft prior to roaring back to gain the subsequent two. The deciding established came down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–18 gain in a very thrilling complete. The victory marked a triumphant minute in their article-Olympic campaign and underscored their dominance heading into another AVP and Global occasions.
The men’s closing featured A further Olympic-caliber clash. Former NBA ahead turned beach volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to facial area off in opposition to Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved too highly effective, winning 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 in a very double-elimination format that held admirers on their toes and athletes grinding by long, Sunlight-soaked times. The Event also integrated a juniors division, which introduced in many hundreds of young players wanting to master, compete, and share the sand With all the execs. It absolutely was a rare chance for youth athletes being part of a major volleyball function and also a important recruiting moment for college plans in attendance.
A full Picture gallery captured the Sodo66 essence with the Event—from superior-traveling spikes and gritty digs to silent times of aim and laughter among the teammates. These images, widely shared on-line, helped showcase the attractiveness and intimacy in the sport in its most authentic setting.
With its success, the Hermosa Beach Open up has sparked discussion about its foreseeable future. Metropolis leaders are exploring a model comparable to Manhattan Seashore, wherever the municipality could just take a larger function in web hosting the Event every year. There’s also A much bigger objective in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning alone to be a designated training web page for that 2028 La Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up was a lot more than just a Match. It was a press release—proof that even within an era of big contracts and world wide broadcasts, Seaside volleyball’s coronary heart however beats strongest inside the sand, surrounded by community.