Sara Hughes

Sara Hughes' volleyball journey began in high school where she excelled as a setter and right side hitter, earning first-team all-league honors three times and being named the 2012 All-Orange County Player of the Year and a Volleyball Magazine High School All-American second team. Her passion for sand volleyball led her to become the first high school player to declare that she would pursue the sport exclusively in college.

At the University of Southern California, Hughes continued to shine, showcasing her talent and earning a spot on the AVCA All-American team three consecutive years. During her freshman year, she partnered with Kirby Burnham to win the AVCA National Championship, finishing with a remarkable 42-4 match record and a streak of 28 straight victories. Her sophomore season brought another AVCA National Championship, this time alongside Kelly Claes-Cheng, with whom she compiled a 44-3 record, including a dominant stretch of 25 consecutive wins. Her dedication and skill were further recognized with another AVCA All-American selection.

Hughes' junior year at USC marked a pinnacle of her collegiate career. She and Claes-Cheng completed a perfect season, going undefeated in matches (48-0) and dropping just one set. Their remarkable performance culminated in their third consecutive AVCA National Championship title, cementing Hughes' status as one of the top collegiate sand volleyball players.

With a wealth of collegiate success and a deep passion for the sport, Hughes made the transition to the professional circuit in June 2017. She embarked on a professional career filled with accolades, including multiple tournament victories, world championship medals, and a career-high world ranking of No. 2. Her journey is a testament to her talent, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence in the world of sand volleyball.