Hermosa Beach front Open Recap: Olympians Capture Titles in Return to Roots
Hermosa Beach front Open Recap: Olympians Capture Titles in Return to Roots
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The 2024 Hermosa Beach Open sent a Specific type of magic, blending environment-class athleticism with the down-to-earth spirit that defines the Seaside volleyball Group. Held September 4–7 near the Hermosa Seashore Pier, this calendar year’s tournament wasn’t only a halt on the competitive circuit—it had been a celebration with the Activity’s origins, showcasing Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with increasing stars and local heroes in a very lover-friendly, no-frills surroundings.
The celebration experienced no stadium seating or flashy lover zones. Rather, spectators gathered across the courts, standing while in the sand and sitting down on Seashore towels because they cheered on elite athletes from just toes absent. Structured with grassroots support and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the tournament returned to a purer version of the sport, where Group, Competitors, and connection were the focus.
On the women’s facet, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Anyone why they’re thought of Amongst the finest on the earth. In a very spectacular all-USC last, Cheng and Hughes dropped the very first established to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft in advance of roaring back again to get another two. The determining set arrived right down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a 20–eighteen get inside a thrilling complete. The victory marked a triumphant second in their article-Olympic campaign and underscored their dominance heading into another AVP and Global occasions.
The Adult males’s closing featured A different Olympic-caliber clash. Former NBA ahead turned Seaside volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to facial area off from Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved as well impressive, winning in straight sets, 21–fourteen and 21–17. Budinger’s physicality at The web and Evans’ sharp instincts built them the unstoppable duo on the weekend.
Throughout four days of Participate in, 130 groups competed in a double-elimination format that retained followers on their toes and athletes grinding as a result of extended, Solar-soaked times. The tournament also provided Sodo66 a juniors division, which introduced in a huge selection of 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 minute 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 photos, broadly shared on the web, aided showcase the magnificence and intimacy in the Activity in its most authentic placing.
With its accomplishment, the Hermosa Seashore 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 purpose in internet hosting the tournament yearly. There’s also An even bigger intention in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning by itself to become a selected teaching web-site to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Beach front Open was much more than simply a Match. It was an announcement—proof that even within an era of massive contracts and world wide broadcasts, Seaside volleyball’s coronary heart even now beats strongest inside the sand, surrounded by Group.