Hermosa Beach Open Recap: Olympians Seize Titles in Return to Roots
Hermosa Beach Open Recap: Olympians Seize Titles in Return to Roots
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The 2024 Hermosa Seashore Open shipped a Exclusive type of magic, blending globe-class athleticism Along with the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seashore volleyball community. Held September 4–7 near the Hermosa Beach front Pier, this year’s tournament wasn’t merely a prevent within the aggressive circuit—it had been a celebration of the sport’s origins, featuring Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with climbing stars and native heroes in a enthusiast-pleasant, no-frills natural environment.
The function experienced no stadium seating or flashy lover zones. Rather, spectators collected round the courts, standing while in the sand and sitting down on Seashore towels as they cheered on elite athletes from just toes away. Structured with grassroots help and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the tournament returned into a purer Variation of the game, where by community, Competitors, and connection were the main target.
On the women’s facet, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded everyone why they’re considered Amongst the most effective on the planet. Inside a dramatic all-USC remaining, Cheng and Hughes dropped the main established to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft just before roaring back to gain the subsequent two. The choosing established arrived down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–18 win inside of a thrilling complete. The victory marked a triumphant second in their write-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 Seaside volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to face off from Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved as well impressive, successful in straight sets, 21–fourteen and 21–17. Budinger’s physicality at The web and Evans’ sharp instincts made them the unstoppable duo on the weekend.
Throughout four times of play, one hundred thirty groups competed in a double-elimination format that saved supporters on their own toes and athletes grinding through prolonged, Sunshine-soaked times. The tournament also provided a juniors division, which introduced in hundreds of younger gamers desperate to learn, compete, and share the sand Along with the execs. It was a unusual prospect for youth athletes to be Portion of A serious volleyball celebration and a Sodo66 beneficial recruiting second for school systems in attendance.
An entire Image gallery captured the essence of the tournament—from higher-flying spikes and gritty digs to quiet moments of concentrate and laughter amongst teammates. These photographs, broadly shared on the net, aided showcase the magnificence and intimacy of your Activity in its most genuine placing.
With its accomplishment, the Hermosa Seaside Open has sparked conversation about its future. Town leaders are Checking out a design much like Manhattan Beach, exactly where the municipality could take a bigger job in web hosting the Event annually. There’s also An even bigger objective in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning itself to become a designated teaching site for your 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open up was more than just a Event. It had been an announcement—proof that even within an era of massive contracts and world wide broadcasts, Seaside volleyball’s coronary heart however beats strongest inside the sand, surrounded by community.