19 Facts About Sara Hughes

Sara Elizabeth Hughes was born on February 14,1995 and is an American beach volleyball player.

Sara Hughes began her beach volleyball training in Huntington Beach, California, at the age of eight.

Sara Hughes re-partnered with Cheng in late 2022, winning several Beach Pro Tour events including the Finals in Doha in January 2023.

Sara Hughes is a right-side defender and has been noted for her speed and willingness to chase down balls.

Sara Hughes was born in Long Beach, California, to Rory and Laura.

Sara Hughes has an older brother, Connor, and an older sister, Lauren.

Sara Hughes's mother is a former volleyball player and both her siblings played the sport in college, with Connor winning two NCAA Men's Volleyball Championships with the UC Irvine Anteaters.

Sara Hughes finished fourth at the 2012 U21 World Championships with Summer Ross.

Sara Hughes played club indoor volleyball as the setter for Mizuno Long Beach, and was named most valuable player after her club won the 16-U Junior Olympics national championship in 2011.

Sara Hughes played indoor volleyball for Mater Dei High School as well and was the Orange County Player of the Year as a senior.

Sara Hughes was teamed with Claes as the Trojan's top-flight pair for the next three seasons.

Sara Hughes was named an AVCA Division I Collegiate Beach All-American in all her four years of college.

Sara Hughes graduated with a Bachelor's degree in business administration in 2017, and earned a Master's degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation the following year.

Sara Hughes's first professional tournament result was a 17th place at the 2011 Manhattan Beach Open.

Sara Hughes partnered with Lane Carico to win her first international event the following year at the $8K NORCECA tournament in Boqueron, Cabo Rojo.

Sara Hughes made her Association of Volleyball Professionals debut playing with Geena Urango at the $75K Milwaukee Open in 2014, but did not progress past the qualifying rounds.

Sara Hughes turned professional upon graduating from college in the summer of 2017, and turned down a partnership with three-time Olympic gold medalist Walsh Jennings, choosing instead to continue playing with her collegiate partner Claes.

Sara Hughes is the 2017 FIVB Top Rookie and the 2018 AVP Best Defender.

Sara Hughes is sponsored by Mikasa Sports, Oakley, KT Tape, and Nike.