Thrilling Triumphs and Promising Prospects: A Comprehensive Recap of the Beach Volleyball World

In a captivating week of beach volleyball action, the United States emerged victorious at the 2024 FISU World University Championship in Rio, while Paris Olympians showcased their prowess at the Hermosa Beach Open. Additionally, the article delves into the upcoming Futures events in China and Burundi, as well as the inaugural season of the AVP League, promising an exciting future for the sport.

Elevating the Game: A Showcase of Talent and Sportsmanship

Hermosa Beach Open: A Triumph for U.S. Pairs

The Hermosa Beach Open, presented by Wedbush and independently run by the City of Hermosa, made a triumphant return in 2024, taking place from September 4-7. The event was dominated by two U.S. beach national team pairs and Paris 2024 Olympians, showcasing the depth and talent of American beach volleyball.In the women's bracket, the dynamic duo of Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes emerged victorious, defeating Terese Cannon and Megan Kraft in a thrilling 2-1 final. Savvy Simo and Abby Van Winkle secured the bronze medal, overcoming the formidable pairing of April Ross and Lexy Denaburg.The men's bracket saw an equally impressive display of skill, with Miles Evans and Chase Budinger claiming the title after a convincing 2-0 victory over Miles Partain and Alex Ranghieri. Chaim Schalk and James Shaw rounded out the podium, finishing in third place.

FISU World University Championship: A Silver Lining for the U.S.

In the 2024 FISU Beach World University Championships held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the United States found success with the silver medal-winning duo of Xolani Hodel (Stanford) and Alexis Durish (Florida State).Hodel and Durish navigated their way through the tournament with ease, sweeping their pool play matches and earning 2-0 wins in the first two elimination rounds. They defeated Austria's Magdalena Rabitsch and Anja Trailovic in the quarterfinals and Germany's Paula Schurholz and Janne Uhl in the semifinals. However, in the gold medal match, they fell to the formidable German pair of Anna-Lena Grune and Hanna-Marie Schieder, settling for the silver medal.

Collegiate Challenge: A Breeding Ground for Future Stars

The Men's Beach Collegiate Challenge returns to Stevenson University in Owings Mills, Maryland, from September 13-15. This marks the fourth year of the event, which provides a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents and compete against their peers.Thirty-two teams, representing various universities, will take the sand, with pairs consisting of athletes between 18 and 25 years of age, currently registered members of USAV, and eligible to compete for the United States within USAV, IOC, FIVB, and NORCECA regulations. The event will feature a main draw over the first two days, followed by the quarterfinal, semifinal, and medal matches on the final day.

Futures Events: Expanding the Global Reach

The beach volleyball world has its sights set on China and Burundi, as the FIVB Pro Tour continues with two Futures events this week.In Qingdao, China, Jade Race and Molly Phillips will represent the United States women's team, joined by Melissa Powell, Madison Dennison, Leigh Sinoto, and Cody Price. The event, running from September 12-15, promises an exciting display of international talent.Simultaneously, BPT Futures Bujumbura in Burundi will take place from September 11-14, with Kelly Kool and Tiffany Svenssohn as the lone U.S. representatives.These Futures events not only provide valuable experience for up-and-coming players but also contribute to the sport's global expansion, showcasing the diverse talent and potential of beach volleyball worldwide.

AVP League: A New Era Dawns

The inaugural season of the AVP League kicks off this weekend, September 14-15, at UCLA's Tennis Center in Los Angeles. This new format promises a nine-week series of competitions, with stops at arenas and sporting venues across the country from September to November.The featured teams for the opening event in Los Angeles include the L.A. Launch (Betsi Flint/Julia Scoles, Tim Bombren/Troy Field), San Diego Smash (Geena Urango/Toni Rodriguez, Chase Budinger/Miles Evans), New York Nitro (Kelly Cheng/Sara Hughes, Taylor Crabb/Taylor Sander), and Brooklyn Blaze (Terese Cannon/Megan Kraft, Seain Cook/Cody Caldwell).This new league format promises to bring a fresh and exciting dynamic to the sport, with each event showcasing half of the eight teams in action. The AVP League's innovative approach aims to captivate audiences and elevate the profile of beach volleyball, ushering in a new era of growth and excitement for the sport.