It was gray and rainy in Montauk during most of the festivities for Hero Volley, but that didn’t matter. Kerri Walsh Jennings, the three-time Olympic gold medalist, and Josh Brussell, East Hampton High School’s boys volleyball coach, brought plenty of sunshine and positive energy to the multi-day event they coordinated, which featured clinics, a wellness day at Gurney’s, and a pro-am beach volleyball tournament at Hero Beach Club.
“It’s just natural A.C.,” Brussell said of the rain, noting that Walsh Jennings brought enough rays to make up for it. “Six feet of sunshine! That’s what they call her!”
“Last year we had this concept where we wanted to bring the West Coast culture out to the East Coast and have our sport — which is so incredible and badass in so many ways — in an elevated environment,” Walsh Jennings said. “There’s no place like Montauk. I had no idea there was a beach volleyball culture out here, but through our partners, through Josh, through the Hampton Lifeguard Association, it’s really beautiful and the kindred nature of our partnership makes sense because it’s such an authentic fit.”
The professional volleyball players Andy Benesh, Taryn Brasher, Taylor Crabb, Phil Dalhausser, Troy Field, Casey Jennings, Brooke Nuneviller, Kristen Nuss Cruz, and Taylor Sander took part in the pro-am. Brasher and Nuss Cruz make up one of the top beach volleyball duos in the world right now and are widely considered contenders for a medal in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
“Our goal is to spread the love of beach volleyball,” Brasher said. “I grew up in South Dakota. There is zero beach volleyball there, so just getting more and more people involved in it is going to help grow the sport.”
The duo was divided for Hero Volley, with Dalhausser and Nuss Cruz leading a team that beat Jennings and Brasher in the finals. Liam Knight, a town lifeguard who just graduated from East Hampton High School, was on the winning team.
“Getting to win the Hero Beach volleyball tournament was a surreal feeling, especially because I got to play on the court with multiple Olympians and Olympic gold medalists,” Knight said. “Not many people can say they’ve met an Olympian let alone share the court with them and win alongside them. Nothing can beat that, and it’s all because of Hero Volley and the amazing people that put it together.”
Hero Beach Club served as base camp for the week — giving the event a new name, a new location, and a renewed spirit for its second year.
“This is turning into our favorite week of the summer,” said Jon Krasner, who owns the hotel. “It’s just about good vibes and bringing people together and introducing them to sport and what we believe is the right way to teach sport and build community around sport.”
The good vibes in the courtyard of Hero Beach Club included music from D.J. Rachel Winters and food from a host of vendors, including Michael Oransky, a Springs chef who grilled up fresh tacos. His son, Marcus Oransky, reached the semifinals of the tournament, playing alongside the pro Sander and three fellow East Hampton High School volleyball players, Aaron Torres, Valentina Balducci, and Adrian Bello.
There was also a mini Montauk Brewing Company tasting room with specially brewed Montauk x Hero Volley Sunshine Cerveza, Hammitt cardholders customized by Montauk Tattoo, recovery cold plunges from Drift Wellness, hair braiding from Beachwaver, acupuncture ear seeds from Pure Serenity, and merch from Spiritual Gangster. Walsh Jennings’s Olympic medals were even on display.
“It’s really fun and just a cool experience. Not many people get to experience this. These Olympians are saying hi to you. It’s crazy,” said Callie Amicucci, 14, who plays volleyball and flag football at the high school.
“We got a picture with Phil Dalhausser, and it was cool meeting someone who has touched a gold medal,” said Jacqueline Geehreng, 15, who also plays volleyball and flag football. “It was nice to play on the beach. I’ve never played beach volleyball before. I’m not used to playing on a net that high.”
A portion of proceeds from Hero Volley support the Hampton Lifeguard Association. John J. Ryan Jr, the president of the H.L.A. and chief lifeguard for the Town of East Hampton, was grateful not only for the support, but also the messaging that Walsh Jennings brought to our young people that sports are about so much more than winning.
“Thank you for coming back. What you said to the kids really hit home,” Ryan said to Walsh Jennings at the pre-tournament press conference. “The way you spoke to them and enlightened them — it doesn’t matter what size they are or who they are, it’s what they have here,” he said, pointing to his heart, “and the interest and the hard work they put into it.”
