The 2024 Hermosa Beach front Open shipped a Specific kind of magic, blending earth-class athleticism with the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seaside volleyball Local community. Held September four–7 near the Hermosa Seaside Pier, this 12 months’s Event wasn’t just a end over the competitive circuit—it was a celebration on the Activity’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with rising stars and local heroes within a supporter-welcoming, no-frills atmosphere.

The function had no stadium seating or flashy admirer zones. In its place, spectators collected around the courts, standing within the sand and sitting down on Seaside towels because they cheered on elite athletes from just ft away. Organized with grassroots help and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the tournament returned to some purer Edition of the game, exactly where community, Levels of competition, and link 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 again to earn the subsequent two. The deciding established came down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–18 earn in the thrilling finish. The victory marked a triumphant instant within their publish-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the following AVP and Intercontinental gatherings.

The Sodo66 Guys’s final highlighted One more Olympic-caliber clash. Former NBA ahead turned beach volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to deal with off towards Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved much too effective, profitable in straight sets, 21–14 and 21–seventeen. Budinger’s physicality at the net and Evans’ sharp instincts manufactured them the unstoppable duo from the weekend.

Throughout 4 days of Engage in, a hundred thirty teams competed in a very double-elimination structure that held admirers on their toes and athletes grinding by way of long, Sunlight-soaked times. The Event also integrated a juniors division, which brought in many hundreds of young players wanting to master, compete, and share the sand With all the execs. It absolutely was a rare possibility for youth athletes being part of A significant volleyball function and also a important recruiting moment for college plans in attendance.

A complete Photograph gallery captured the essence on the Match—from significant-traveling spikes and gritty digs to silent times of aim and laughter among the teammates. These pictures, widely shared on line, helped showcase the beauty and intimacy from the sport in its most authentic location.

With its achievements, the Hermosa Beach front Open up has sparked discussion about its foreseeable future. Metropolis leaders are exploring a product comparable to Manhattan Seashore, the place 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 far more than just a Event. It absolutely was an announcement—evidence that even in an period of massive contracts and world broadcasts, Seashore volleyball’s heart still beats strongest from the sand, surrounded by Neighborhood.