The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up delivered a Distinctive form of magic, Mixing planet-course athleticism With all the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Beach front volleyball Neighborhood. Held September 4–seven close to the Hermosa Beach Pier, this yr’s Match wasn’t merely a stop about the aggressive circuit—it absolutely was a celebration of the sport’s origins, that includes Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with mounting stars and native heroes in a enthusiast-pleasant, no-frills natural environment.
The event had no stadium seating or flashy fan zones. Alternatively, spectators collected round the courts, standing during the sand and sitting down on Beach front towels since they cheered on elite athletes from just toes absent. Structured with grassroots guidance and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Event returned to your purer Model of the sport, the place Local community, Level of competition, and relationship were being the main target.
To the Gals’s aspect, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Absolutely everyone why they’re regarded One of the greatest on earth. Inside a dramatic all-USC remaining, Cheng and Hughes dropped the main set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft prior to roaring again to earn the following two. The deciding 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 gatherings.
The Guys’s final highlighted An additional Olympic-caliber clash. Previous NBA forward turned Seashore volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to encounter off versus Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved also powerful, successful in straight sets, 21–fourteen and 21–17. Budinger’s physicality at The web and Evans’ sharp instincts made them the unstoppable duo with the weekend.
Across four times of play, one hundred thirty groups competed inside a double-elimination format that saved supporters on their own toes and athletes grinding through extended, Solar-soaked days. The tournament also provided a juniors division, which introduced in numerous younger gamers desperate to discover, compete, and share the sand While using the pros. It was a unusual option for youth athletes to be Portion of A serious volleyball party and a useful recruiting second for school systems in attendance.
An entire Image gallery captured the essence of your Event—from high-flying spikes and gritty digs to quiet times of focus and laughter amongst teammates. These photos, broadly shared on the web, aided showcase the splendor and Sodo66 intimacy on the sport in its most genuine setting.
With its achievement, the Hermosa Beach Open up has sparked dialogue about its long run. Metropolis leaders are Discovering a model similar to Manhattan Beach front, wherever the municipality could acquire a larger part in hosting the Event per year. There’s also A much bigger objective in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning alone to be a designated training site for that 2028 La Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up was a lot more than just a Event. It was a press release—proof that even within an era of big contracts and world wide broadcasts, Seaside volleyball’s coronary heart even now beats strongest inside the sand, surrounded by Group.
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