Sara Hughes
Kelly Cheng (2022–present) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Former partners |
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Coached by | José Loiola (2016–)[3] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Highest world ranking | No. 2 (August 23, 2023) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal reocrd
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Sara Elizabeth Hughes (born February 14, 1995)
Hughes began her beach volleyball training in
Hughes is a right-side defender and has been noted for her speed and willingness to chase down balls. She is the 2017 FIVB Top Rookie.
Early life and junior career
Hughes was born in Long Beach, California, to Rory and Laura. She has an older brother, Connor, and an older sister, Lauren.[4] Her mother is a former volleyball player[6] and both her siblings played the sport in college, with Connor winning two NCAA Men's Volleyball Championships with the UC Irvine Anteaters.[4]
Growing up in Costa Mesa, California, in a volleyball-playing family, Hughes regularly attended her siblings' practices and tournaments. During one such instance, a player's parent was impressed by eight-year-old Hughes' peppering and recommended her to local beach volleyball youth coach Bill Lovelace.[6] According to Hughes, she first came to love the sport when Lovelace praised her ball control as the best he had ever seen for an eight-year-old.[7] After a successful tryout,[6] she began training under Lovelace every summer in Huntington Beach until she was 15.[8]
A standout junior beach volleyball player, Hughes won numerous tournaments on the
Hughes also played club indoor volleyball as the
College
Regarded as one of the top high school recruits for both beach and indoor,
Hughes joined the Trojans in the 2013–14 season, partnering with Kirby Burnham as the top-flight pair throughout her freshman year. The duo won the
Between their sophomore and senior years, Hughes and Claes had a
Amateur career
While still in high school and college, Hughes competed as an amateur on the domestic and international professional tours.
Their breakthrough came in June 2016, when Hughes and Claes narrowly lost to Olympians April Ross and Kerri Walsh Jennings with a score of 21–17, 18–21, 15–17[28] in the third round of the $75K AVP San Francisco Open.[7][21] Despite the loss, they eventually made it to the finals of the double-elimination tournament where they were defeated once again by A. Ross and Walsh Jennings.[28] Hughes and Claes were given a wild card entry into the main draw of the $400K Klagenfurt Major a month later, where they upset the top-seeded German team of Kira Walkenhorst and Laura Ludwig in the group stage, eventually finishing 17th;[28] Walkenhorst and Ludwig would go on to win gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics a few weeks later.[29][30]
Professional career
2017: Partnering with Claes
Hughes turned professional upon graduating from college in the summer of 2017,[20] and turned down a partnership with three-time Olympic gold medalist Walsh Jennings,[31][32] choosing instead to continue playing with her collegiate partner Claes.[30][33] In their first professional season, Hughes and Claes got their highest finish in international competition at the $115K Long Beach Presidents Cup exhibition event in July, beating Germany's Walkenhorst and Ludwig in the bronze-medal match.[34] Two weeks later, they were knocked out of the World Championships by eventual champions Walkenhorst and Ludwig for a ninth-place finish.[26] On the AVP, the 12th-seeded pair won their first title at the $112.5K Chicago Championships in September, beating Brooke Sweat and S. Ross in straight sets in the finals.[35][36] With this win, Hughes and Claes, aged 22 and 21 at the time, became the youngest team in history to win an AVP tournament.[35] On the World Tour, their best results were fifth-place finishes at the $150K Rio de Janeiro Open and the $300K Poreč Major.[28] Hughes and Claes ended the year ranked No. 16 in the world.[37]
2018–2019: Partnering with S. Ross
After ninth-place finishes in their first two World Tour tournaments of 2018, Hughes ended her partnership with Claes to team up with S. Ross.[38] According to Hughes, she made the switch because she "needed to grow a little more as a volleyball player."[39] Hughes and S. Ross entered the AVP season as the top seeds, winning two of the four events they competed in.[28] They won their first tournament together at the $100K AVP New York Open in June by defeating Nicole Branagh and Brandie Wilkerson in the final match in two sets.[40] The following month, they beat A. Ross and Alix Klineman in three sets to win another AVP title at the $79K Hermosa Beach Open.[41] The duo were runners-up to A. Ross and Klineman at the $125K Chicago Championships[42] and the $75K Hawaii Invitational in September.[43]
Hughes and S. Ross also reached their first podium on the World Tour by taking the bronze medal at the $150K Espinho Open in July.
Accolades
Hughes is the 2017
Style of play
Hughes is a defender and right-handed right-side player.[1] Originally a blocker in her youth, she moved to the backcourt when she started playing with the taller Claes.[8] Known as a fierce competitor,[8][54][55] Hughes has been noted for her "speed and relentless pursuit of every ball."[21] Her USC head coach Anna Collier described her as "one of the fastest and smartest defenders," with the ability to anticipate her opponents' attacks.[20] According to three-time Olympian Holly McPeak, Hughes possesses the competitive drive, work ethic and athleticism necessary to compete at the professional level.[56]
Of the 87 players who competed in a Major Series main draw on the 2018 World Tour, Hughes ranked 33rd for total points scored, averaging 5.61 points per set; 25th for total kills, averaging 5.21 kills per set; and 40th for number of aces, with around four percent of her serves being aces.[57]
Personal life
Hughes' childhood idol was
When Hughes and Claes were just starting to compete on the professional circuits, their biggest challenge was not being able to afford a coach. As their tournament results improved, the pair received more financial assistance from USA Volleyball and began working with Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee José Loiola.[30] Since splitting with Claes in early 2018, Hughes and new partner S. Ross continue to be coached by Loiola.[3] She is sponsored by Mikasa Sports, Oakley, KT Tape,[54] and Nike.[27]
Career statistics
FIVB finals: 1 (1–0)
Legend |
---|
$400,000 tournaments (0–0) |
$300,000 tournaments (0–0) |
$150,000 tournaments (1–0) |
$100–125,000 tournaments (0–0) |
$75–80,000 tournaments (0–0) |
Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1–0 | Aug 2018 | Moscow, Russia[46] | $150K | Summer Ross | Ágatha Bednarczuk Eduarda Santos Lisboa |
21–19, 12–21, 15–12 (0:45) |
AVP finals: 6 (3–3)
Legend |
---|
$400,000 tournaments (0–0) |
$300,000 tournaments (0–0) |
$150,000 tournaments (0–0) |
$100–125,000 tournaments (2–1) |
$75–80,000 tournaments (1–2) |
Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 0–1 | Jun 2016 | San Francisco, California[59] | $75K | Kelly Claes
|
April Ross Kerri Walsh Jennings |
17–21, 13–21 (0:53) |
Win | 1–1 | Sep 2017 | Chicago, Illinois[36] | $112.5K | Kelly Claes | Summer Ross Brooke Sweat |
21–17, 21–18 (0:45) |
Win | 2–1 | Jun 2018 | New York City, New York[60] | $100K | Summer Ross | Nicole Branagh Brandie Wilkerson |
21–14, 21–19 (0:52) |
Win | 3–1 | Jul 2018 | Hermosa Beach, California[61] | $79K | Summer Ross | April Ross Alix Klineman |
19–21, 21–19, 17–15 (1:28) |
Loss | 3–2 | Sep 2018 | Chicago, Illinois[62] | $125K | Summer Ross | April Ross Alix Klineman |
23–25, 16–21 (0:54) |
Loss | 3–3 | Sep 2018 | Waikiki, Hawaii[63] | $75K | Summer Ross | April Ross Alix Klineman |
21–18, 19–21, 10–15 (0:59) |
Performance timeline
- Key
W | F | SF | QF | #R | RR | Q# | A | G | S | B | NH | N/A | DNQ |
Current through the 2018 FIVB World Tour Finals.[28]
Tournament | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | SR | W–L | Win % | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
World Championships | |||||||||||||
World Championships | A | NH | 2R | NH | 0 / 1 | 3–2 | 60% | ||||||
Grand Slam tournaments (discontinued in 2017)[64] | |||||||||||||
Long Beach | Q1 | 2R | NH | NH | 0 / 1 | 2–3 | 40% | ||||||
Major Series tournaments | |||||||||||||
A1 Major Klagenfurt | NH | 1R | NH | NH | 0 / 1 | 2–2 | 50% | ||||||
Fort Lauderdale | NH | NH | 2R | 2R | 0 / 2 | 5–3 | 63% | ||||||
Poreč | A | A | QF | NH | 0 / 1 | 4–1 | 80% | ||||||
Gstaad | A | A | 2R | 2R | 0 / 2 | 5–4 | 56% | ||||||
Vienna | NH | NH | NH | QF | 0 / 1 | 3–2 | 60% | ||||||
World Tour Finals | A | A | A | RR | 0 / 1 | 2–2 | 50% | ||||||
Career statistics | |||||||||||||
Titles / Finals | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 0 / 0 | ||||||||
Overall win–loss | 0–0 | 4–5 | 16–9 | 9–7 | 24–16 | ||||||||
Year-end ranking | 161[65] | 60[66] | 16[37] | 9[47] | 60% |
Note: Only main draw results are considered.
References
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- ^ "AVP Athletes: Sara Hughes". Association of Volleyball Professionals. Archived from the original on October 11, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
- ^ a b "Loiola Looking For Olympic Return With Hughes/Summer". Fédération Internationale de Volleyball. August 16, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g "2017 USC Beach Volleyball Roster: Sara Hughes". USC Trojans. Archived from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ "Wild cards Hughes & Cheng claim historic Beach Pro Tour title". Volleyball World. January 29, 2023. Retrieved August 23, 2023.
- ^ Orange County Register. Archivedfrom the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
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- ^ Feinswog, Lee (May 25, 2016). "Wong-Orantes, Hughes: A lifetime of friendship, success". Volleyball Magazine. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
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- ^ Villa, Walter (February 3, 2012). "Long Beach chasing another national title". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
- ^ a b Olsen, Kirstin (January 7, 2012). "Sara Hughes follows her heart to the sand". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ a b Vaughn, Austin R. (May 5, 2016). "NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship: 5 things to watch from Gulf Shores". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
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- ^ a b c Villa, Walter (March 2, 2018). "This duo could be the next 'Golden Girls' of beach volleyball. And they are in town". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ a b c d Bolch, Ben (May 12, 2017). "USC beach volleyball standouts Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes have post-graduation sights set on Olympics". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ Hawthorne, Jonathan (May 4, 2017). "NCAA beach volleyball pioneers Kelly Claes and Sara Hughes look to finish what they started". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2017. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ a b "No. 2 USC Faces Four For East Meets West Challenge". USC Trojans. March 6, 2018. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
- ^ "NCAA: Claes/Hughes streak snapped, Long Beach clinches MPSF top spot". Volleyball Magazine. April 9, 2017. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
- ^ "American Volleyball Coaches Association Division I Collegiate Beach All-America History (through 2017 season)" (PDF). American Volleyball Coaches Association. Retrieved October 15, 2017.
- ^ a b "American Collegiate Champion Hughes Breaks Through With Claes". Fédération Internationale de Volleyball. September 13, 2017. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ a b "Champions of Troy". USC Marshall School of Business. May 7, 2018. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Sara Hughes: 2011–19". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ "USA's Hughes/Claes Enjoy 'Summer School' on the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour". Fédération Internationale de Volleyball. August 27, 2016. Archived from the original on August 20, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Spirit of the Beach: Hughes/Claes". Beach Volleyball Major Series. November 30, 2017. Archived from the original on August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ Roenigk, Alyssa (July 10, 2017). "A Line in the Sand". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ Peter, Josh (August 22, 2017). "Olympic champion Kerri Walsh Jennings wants to finish her career on top". USA Today. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ Rubinroit, Seth (July 31, 2017). "The beach volleyball player who turned down Kerri Walsh Jennings". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ "Women's US$115,000 Long Beach Presidents Cup July 13–15, 2017". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ United States Olympic Committee. Archived from the originalon August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ a b "Women's AVP $112,500 Chicago Championships August 31 – September 3, 2017". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ a b "FIVB 2017 Women's Team Rankings". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ Mewhirter, Travis (March 12, 2018). "Beach shakeup: Sara Hughes to partner with Summer Ross". Volleyball Magazine. Archived from the original on August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- United States Olympic Committee. Archived from the originalon August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ "AVP New York: Dalhausser–Lucena, Hughes–Ross take gold". Volleyball Magazine. June 10, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 11, 2018.
- ^ Galluzzo, Steve (July 29, 2018). "Sara Hughes and Summer Ross win Hermosa Open". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
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- United States Olympic Committee. Archived from the originalon September 27, 2018. Retrieved September 27, 2018.
- United States Olympic Committee. Archived from the originalon August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ Zaccardi, Nick (August 12, 2018). "Sara Hughes, Summer Ross net U.S. beach volleyball's biggest breakout in a decade". NBC Sports. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
- ^ a b "Women's FIVB US$150,000 Moscow Four Star August 8–12, 2018". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
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- ^ a b c Mewhirter, Travis (January 24, 2018). "Sara Hughes embraces new responsibility: Beach volleyball's role model". Volleyball Magazine. Archived from the original on August 19, 2018. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
- ^ D'Arpe, Dan (December 1, 2017). "Up & coming women's beach volleyball players". Volleyverse. Archived from the original on January 24, 2019. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
- ^ "Dalhausser, Ross dominate VolleyballMag.com All-Pro Beach Awards". Volleyball Magazine. October 14, 2017. Archived from the original on August 18, 2018. Retrieved August 20, 2018.
- ^ "Best Players". Beach Volleyball Major Series. Retrieved August 22, 2018. Select Season 2018. Enter Sara HUGHES (USA), Women in the search field and then press Enter.
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- ^ "FIVB 2016 Women's Team Rankings". Beach Volleyball Database. Archived from the original on August 19, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
External links
- Sara Hughes at the Association of Volleyball Professionals
- Sara Hughes at the Beach Volleyball Major Series
- Sara Hughes at FIVB beach volleyball database
- Sara Hughes at Beach Volleyball Database
- Sara Hughes at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (archived)