Hermosa Beach Open Recap: Olympians Capture Titles in Return to Roots
Hermosa Beach Open Recap: Olympians Capture Titles in Return to Roots
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The 2024 Hermosa Seashore Open shipped a Specific kind 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 Match wasn’t only a halt on the competitive circuit—it had been a celebration from the sport’s origins, featuring Olympians competing shoulder to shoulder with climbing stars and local heroes within a enthusiast-friendly, no-frills environment.
The party experienced no stadium seating or flashy fan zones. In its place, spectators gathered round the courts, standing inside the sand and sitting down on beach towels because they cheered on elite athletes from just ft absent. Organized with grassroots help and backed by sponsors like Wedbush Securities, the tournament returned to your purer version of the sport, where community, Competitiveness, and link have been the main focus.
Within the Females’s side, Olympians Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes reminded Every person why they’re regarded Among the many finest on the globe. In a very spectacular all-USC ultimate, Cheng and Hughes dropped the initial set to Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft right before roaring back again to get the next two. The selecting set arrived all the way down to the wire, with Cheng and Hughes edging out a twenty–eighteen earn within a thrilling finish. The victory marked a triumphant instant within their post-Olympic marketing campaign and underscored their dominance heading into the following AVP and Intercontinental gatherings.
The Guys’s final highlighted An additional Olympic-caliber clash. Previous NBA forward turned Seashore volleyball standout Chase Budinger teamed up with Olympic veteran Miles Evans to deal with off in opposition to Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Budinger and Evans proved also powerful, successful in straight sets, 21–fourteen and 21–17. Budinger’s physicality at The web and Evans’ sharp instincts produced them the unstoppable duo in the weekend.
Throughout 4 times of Participate in, 130 teams competed in the double-elimination structure that stored admirers on their toes and athletes grinding via prolonged, 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 in addition to a valuable recruiting second for college packages in attendance.
A complete Picture gallery captured the essence of your Event—from high-flying spikes and gritty digs to silent moments of aim and laughter amid teammates. These pictures, extensively shared on the internet, assisted showcase the splendor and intimacy on the Activity in its Sodo66 most genuine environment.
With its good results, the Hermosa Seaside Open has sparked conversation about its future. Town leaders are Checking out a product similar to Manhattan Seaside, exactly where the municipality could consider a bigger role in hosting the tournament yearly. There’s also A much bigger objective in sight: Hermosa is actively positioning itself to be a specified coaching site with the 2028 La Olympics.
The 2024 Hermosa Seaside Open up was additional than just a Event. It had been a statement—proof that even within an era of big contracts and world broadcasts, Seaside volleyball’s coronary heart continue to beats strongest from the sand, surrounded by Local community.