Sara Hughes

Born Sara Elizabeth Hughes in Long Beach, California, in 1995, Sara Hughes began her beach volleyball training at the age of eight in Huntington Beach, CA. Growing up in a volleyball-playing family, her passion for the sport was evident early on. She honed her skills through various junior tournaments and partnered with Kelly Cheng during her youth, securing bronze medals at the 2013 U19 and 2014 U21 World Championships. These early achievements set the foundation for her distinguished career.

Hughes attended the University of Southern California (USC) on a full scholarship for beach volleyball. During her collegiate career, she achieved significant milestones, including being a two-time Pairs National Champion with partners Kirby Burnham and Kelly (Claes) Cheng. She also contributed to three Team National Championships for the USC Trojans and was recognized as a four-time All-American. Her collegiate record stands at an impressive 190-8, and notably, she and Kelly Claes (now Cheng) achieved a 103-match winning streak between their sophomore and senior years. Hughes graduated from USC in 2017 with a degree in business administration and later earned a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in 2018.

Transitioning to professional play in 2017, Hughes, initially partnered with Kelly Claes, became part of the youngest team to win an AVP event. She continued her professional journey with several partners, consistently achieving high rankings and earning medals on both the AVP Pro Tour and the FIVB World Tour/Pro Beach Tour. Her achievements include numerous gold, silver, and bronze medals, culminating in a career-high world ranking of No. 2 in August 2023 with Kelly Cheng. Hughes was honored as the 2017 FIVB Top Rookie and the 2018 AVP Best Defender, solidifying her status as a top athlete in the sport. She represented the United States in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, finishing 5th.