Hermosa Seaside Open Recap: Olympians Capture Titles in Return to Roots
Hermosa Seaside Open Recap: Olympians Capture Titles in Return to Roots
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The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open sent a special kind of magic, Mixing planet-course athleticism Using the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seashore volleyball Neighborhood. Held September 4–seven near the Hermosa Seaside Pier, this 12 months’s Event wasn’t just a cease to the aggressive circuit—it was a celebration in the sport’s origins, that includes Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with soaring stars and local heroes in the supporter-friendly, no-frills natural environment.
The function experienced no stadium seating or flashy enthusiast zones. Instead, spectators gathered within the courts, standing during the sand and sitting on Seaside towels as they cheered on elite athletes from just ft absent. Organized with grassroots guidance and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the Event returned into a purer Model of the sport, the place Group, Level of competition, and connection have been the focus.
To the women’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded All people why they’re regarded as One of the finest on the planet. Within a remarkable all-USC closing, Cheng and Hughes dropped the initial set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft before roaring again to gain another two. The selecting established came down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–18 get inside a thrilling finish. The victory marked a triumphant instant of their Sodo66 article-Olympic campaign and underscored their dominance heading into another AVP and Intercontinental gatherings.
The Adult men’s ultimate showcased One more Olympic-caliber clash. Previous NBA ahead turned Seaside 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 as well highly effective, profitable in straight sets, 21–14 and 21–17. Budinger’s physicality at the net and Evans’ sharp instincts designed them the unstoppable duo of the weekend.
Across four days of Perform, one hundred thirty groups competed inside of a double-elimination format that held fans on their toes and athletes grinding by lengthy, Sunlight-soaked days. The Match also involved a juniors division, which introduced in numerous younger players wanting to master, contend, and share the sand with the pros. It absolutely was a rare chance for youth athletes to get Element of An important volleyball party in addition to a important recruiting minute for college programs in attendance.
An entire Photograph gallery captured the essence in the tournament—from high-traveling spikes and gritty digs to peaceful moments of focus and laughter among the teammates. These visuals, broadly shared on the web, helped showcase the beauty and intimacy of the sport in its most reliable environment.
With its achievement, the Hermosa Beach front Open has sparked discussion about its long term. Metropolis leaders are Checking out a model just like Manhattan Beach, the place the municipality could take a larger position in web hosting the tournament every year. There’s also An even bigger goal in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning itself to become a specified teaching site for your 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach front Open up was more than simply a Match. It had been an announcement—proof that even in an period of massive contracts and world broadcasts, Beach front volleyball’s coronary heart even now beats strongest while in the sand, surrounded by Neighborhood.