Hermosa Seaside Open Recap: Olympians Capture Titles in Return to Roots

The 2024 Hermosa Seaside Open sent a Specific kind of magic, blending environment-class athleticism with the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seaside volleyball Group. Held September 4–seven near the Hermosa Seaside Pier, this 12 months’s Event wasn’t just a cease over the aggressive circuit—it was a celebration in the Activity’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with soaring stars and local heroes within a supporter-welcoming, no-frills atmosphere.

The occasion had no stadium seating or flashy admirer zones. In its place, spectators collected around the courts, standing within the sand and sitting on beach towels as they cheered on elite athletes from just feet absent. Structured with grassroots support and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the tournament returned to a purer Variation of the sport, where by Group, Competitors, and connection were the main target.

Over the Women of all ages’s facet, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded All people why they’re viewed as Among the many ideal on this planet. In the remarkable all-USC last, Cheng and Hughes dropped the first established to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft ahead of roaring back to win another two. The determining set arrived down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–18 win inside of a thrilling end. The victory marked a triumphant moment inside their put up-Olympic campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the next AVP and Global activities.

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 brought in many hundreds of young players desirous to master, compete, and share the sand With all the professionals. It absolutely was a rare chance for youth athletes to get part of a major volleyball occasion and also a important recruiting moment for college applications in attendance.

A full Photograph gallery captured the essence on the Match—from significant-traveling spikes and gritty digs to tranquil times of concentration and laughter among the teammates. These visuals, widely shared on-line, helped showcase the elegance and intimacy in the sport in its most authentic location.

With its achievements, the Hermosa Beach front Open up has sparked discussion about its potential. City leaders are exploring a product just like Manhattan Seashore, in which the municipality could get a larger job in web hosting the Match yearly. There’s also a bigger intention in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning by Sodo66 itself to become a selected teaching internet site to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The 2024 Hermosa Beach front Open was much more than simply a Match. It absolutely was an announcement—proof that even within an era of massive contracts and world-wide broadcasts, beach volleyball’s coronary heart nevertheless beats strongest in the sand, surrounded by Group.