Sara Elizabeth Hughes is an American beach volleyball player. With teammate Kelly Cheng she achieved a career-high world ranking of No. 2 in August 2023. Hughes has won six tournaments on the AVP Pro Tour and seven gold medals, one silver medal, and three bronze medals on the FIVB World Tour/Pro Beach Tour.
Hughes began her beach volleyball training in Huntington Beach, California, at the age of eight. As a junior, she partnered with Cheng to win bronze medals at the 2013 U19 and 2014 U21 World Championships. Her partnership with Cheng continued through college, where the pair won 103 consecutive collegiate matches and led the USC Trojans to back-to-back NCAA Championships in 2016 and 2017. Soon after turning professional in mid-2017, Hughes and Cheng became the youngest team to win an AVP event when they won the season-ending Championship. Hughes split from Cheng in early 2018 and teamed up with Summer Ross. In their first year playing together, Hughes and Ross won their first World Tour title and entered the top ten of the world rankings. Hughes re-partnered with Cheng in late 2022, winning several Beach Pro Tour events including the Finals in Doha in January 2023.
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.
Hughes was born in Long Beach, California, to Rory and Laura. She has an older brother, Connor, and an older sister, Lauren. Her 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.
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. 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. After a successful tryout, she began training under Lovelace every summer in Huntington Beach until she was 15.
A standout junior beach volleyball player, Hughes won numerous tournaments on the Amateur Athletic Union and California Beach Volleyball Association circuits. From 2004 to 2012, she was mostly partnered with Justine Wong-Orantes, playing as a blocker. With Wong-Orantes, Hughes placed ninth at the 2011 and 2012 U19 World Championships. She also finished fourth at the 2012 U21 World Championships with Summer Ross.The following year, Hughes began playing with Kelly Claes and transitioned into a full-time defender. The duo won bronze medals at the 2013 U19 and 2014 U21 World Championships.
Hughes also 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. She played indoor volleyball for Mater Dei High School as well and was the Orange County Player of the Year as a senior.
Regarded as one of the top high school recruits for both beach and indoor, Hughes committed to playing beach volleyball for the USC Trojans in her junior year of high school. Beach volleyball had just become an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women at the time and Hughes decided to forgo collegiate indoor volleyball as “sand was real passion.”
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 AVCA Pairs Championship and recorded 42 wins and 4 losses by the end the season. She was teamed with Claes as the Trojan’s top-flight pair for the next three seasons. As sophomores, Hughes and Claes won the AVCA Pairs title and led the Trojans to their first AVCA National Championship, completing the season with a 44–3 win–loss record. In their junior year, they won the inaugural Pac-12 Pairs Championship and were named the Pac-12 Pair of the Year. Women’s beach volleyball was also promoted to an NCAA Championship sport that year, and Hughes and Claes helped the Trojans win the first-ever NCAA Beach Volleyball Championship, defeating the Florida State Seminoles’ top pair in straight sets in the finals. They ended the season with an undefeated 48–0 record and were selected to the NCAA All-Tournament Team. Hughes and Claes capped off a dominant year by winning the 2016 World University Championships without dropping a set the entire tournament. As seniors, the duos repeated as Pac-12 Pairs Champions and were once again named Pair of Year. They led the Trojans to their second consecutive NCAA title, coming back from a first set loss in the finals to beat the top-flight duo from Pepperdine. Hughes and Claes completed their senior year with a 55–1 win–loss record, amassing an overall record of 147 wins and 4 losses in their three seasons together.
Between their sophomore and senior years, Hughes and Claes had a win streak of 103 collegiate matches, losing just seven sets during this run. Their streak began in April 2015 and was broken two years later in a three-set loss to a team from the Saint Mary’s Gaels. Hughes was named an AVCA Division I Collegiate Beach All-American in all her four years of college. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2017, and earned a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation the following year
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. Hughes and new partner S. Ross continue to be coached by Loiola.
Achievements and titles
Highest world ranking No. 2 (August 23, 2023)
Medal record
Women’s beach volleyball
Representing the United States
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2023 Tlaxcala Beach
World Tour Finals
Gold medal – first place 2022 Doha Beach
World Tour
Gold medal – first place 2018 Moscow Beach
Gold medal – first place 2020 Siem Reap Beach
Gold medal – first place 2021 Rubavu Beach
Gold medal – first place 2022 Itapema Beach
Gold medal – first place 2022 Torquay Beach
Gold medal – first place 2022 Torquay Beach
Gold medal – first place 2023 Tepic Beach
Gold medal – first place 2024 Ostrava Beach
Silver medal – second place 2023 Gstaad Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Espinho Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Yangzhou Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2021 Itapema Beach
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Doha Beach
U21 World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Larnaka
U19 World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Porto
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Sara Hughes an exceptionally talented American Beach Volleyball Player and World Championships Gold Medalist, here she talks about her fitness routine, her diet, her beauty secrets and success story.
Full Interview is Continued on Next Page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
You were born in Long Beach, California, US. You began your beach volleyball training in Huntington Beach, California, at the age of eight. As a junior, you partnered with Cheng to win bronze medals at the 2013 U19 and 2014 U21 World Championships. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been at the top of the world as a beach volleyball player. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance?
Sara Hughes:
My professional journey has been filled with so many amazing moments and a fair share of adversity. I started playing volleyball at a very young age and my passion, drive, and love for the game have remained strong. There have been a lot of hard times and bumps in the road but they have all taught me important lessons, and most importantly have made me a better person and player. I believe if you outwork everyone else and remain authentic and true to yourself, you can go very far.
Namita Nayyar:
It is a dream for a beach volleyball player to play in the Beach Volleyball World Championships. You won the Gold medal in the 2023 Beach Volleyball World Championships that was held in Tlaxcala, Apizaco, and Huamantla, Mexico from 6 to 15 October 2023. Tell us more about this spectacular achievement of yours?
Sara Hughes:
Winning a World Championship for Team USA is something I will never forget. It had not been done in fourteen years and being able to bring it back home meant everything. I could not have achieved this without the amazing people and team around me.
Namita Nayyar:
You were named an AVCA Division I Collegiate Beach All-American in all your four years of college. How does such honour being bestowed upon you act as a catalyst in your metriotic rise as a world leading beach volleyball player?
Sara Hughes:
I am very proud of my time at USC. Being named All-American all four years was truly an honor. I am grateful for all of my coaches and fellow teammates who pushed me hard and made me better. My goal was always to play professionally after USC and they gave me all of the tools and support to do so.
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Sara Hughes:
My workout routine is different every time I step into the gym. My trainer focuses on speed, strength, plyometrics, stretching, and rehab. My fitness regime is related to all of the movements I use and create in the sand. I play on an uneven service and it is important to recreate that in the gym so when I step in hole or land unevenly my muscles are used to it and can help prevent injury. My workout routine has helped me build strength and power while remaining fast and dynamic.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Sara Hughes:
Abs workouts are a daily part of my routine. It varies from week to week but one of my favorite routines I can always count on is a bicycle series. 20 seconds on of slow and controlled big forward bicycle movements, making sure your elbow makes contact with your opposite leg. 10 seconds off in between 8 total rounds. Alternating forward and reverse movements.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Sara Hughes:
Currently I am not on any special diet but I try and have a healthy balance within my life. It is important for me to eat Whole Foods and stay away from processed foods and sugar. I strive to reach certain protein goals every day to keep my body fueled and energized. I am not perfect but I have found it very fun lately to learn new recipes and try out new things in the kitchen.
Namita Nayyar:
Five foods you absolutely love and five you keep to a minimum.
Sara Hughes:
Five foods I love: steak, shrimp, fruit, roasted vegetables, dark chocolate
Five foods I also love but keep to a minimum: chocolate chip cookies, pasta, Indian food, chips and salsa, pancakes
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your haircare and skincare routine.
Sara Hughes:
Appreciate the kind words but I’m trying to find the right routines for myself currently. My hair is all natural coloring and I credit the sun for keeping it blonde with some streaks of highlights.
I keep my skincare routine simple. Cleansing balm to remove everything at night, gentle face wash, and a light moisturizer. I love wearing a tinted sunscreen every day because I am constantly in the sun and it gives a little extra coverage.
Namita Nayyar:
You have been coached by famous Volleyball Hall of Fame inductee José Loiola who has been a catalyst who helped you pave the way to rise in your career with discipline and a never stopping attitude. Elaborate about his influence on your professional life?
Sara Hughes:
-I worked with Jose for a very long time and enjoyed every minute of it. He taught me so much and continues to support me in every step of my career. I find his aggressive mentality and positive outlook refreshing and inspiring. His passion shows whether he is playing or coaching and I try to do that within my own career.
Namita Nayyar:
Athletic leisure brand you love to wear.
Sara Hughes:
Nike
Namita Nayyar:
Five travel destinations on your wish list.
Sara Hughes:
Bora Bora
South of France
Japan
Puglia coast of Italy
Philippines
Namita Nayyar:
Quote you live by.
Sara Hughes:
“Win the same way you lose, with respect and integrity”. I created this personal motto in college and continue to live by it.
Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about a day in the life of ‘Sara Hughes’.
Sara Hughes:
Wake up around 6am. Roll out and stretch while doing red light therapy. Heat up bone broth and drink water. Get dressed for practice and make protein oatmeal with fruit.
Head to practice at 7:15. Practice on the beach from 8-10. Head home and shower and make a quick second breakfast (usually avocado toast). Leave at 10:45 to head to lifting (my trainer lives an hour away). Train from 12-1:15ish. Drink an Optimum Nutrition protein smoothie and ice bath.
Depending on the day get in my car and drive to USA volleyball to get a massage or treatment.
Making sure to eat in between everything.
Get home around 4-5. Make dinner and relax. Watch some TV and read my kindle before bed. Usually asleep by 9:30 pm.
Namita Nayyar:
During the Covid pandemic. Tell us more about your routine to remain fit in those challenging times?
Sara Hughes:
Covid was challenging times for everyone but it was especially hard when they shut down the beaches and we could no longer practice. I maintained my workout routine as best as I could by borrowing some gym equipment and typically worked outside 3-4x a week. I incorporated cardio by doing hill sprints near my house. Our volleyball season completely shut down but it was important for me to stay ready and fit for when it was time to compete again.
Namita Nayyar:
In sports like beach volleyball how were you able to overcome any physical or sports injury setbacks and what advice can you give to those in a similar situation
Sara Hughes:
I unfortunately hyperextended my knee in practice two days before the Olympics. I had never really suffered a bad injury before this but I needed to keep pushing forward to play in the biggest tournament of my career. I credit my trainer with strengthening all of my small muscles because the injury could have been a lot worse. I was working with a PT every day that helped align my body and keep my knee as healthy as possible. My trainer traveled to the Olympics with me and completely changed my workout routine so I could remain confident that my body could battle and push through the injury while competing on the world’s largest stage.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and the message for its visitors?
Sara Hughes:
I’ve always enjoyed reading articles from womenfitness.net and I am so excited to be featured! I would just like to say that your workout and fitness journey can take time but don’t give up. It can be frustrating at times and in moments could seem like it’s not worth it. I didn’t find the types of workouts that I love and work best with my body until two years ago. Now I look forward to every workout and proud of what my body has transformed into. Work hard, take your time, and stay healthy!
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding beach volleyball girls, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of playing beach volleyball?
Sara Hughes:
One of my main professional goals in this sport is to motivate and inspire young girls. My main piece of advice would be to play with love and passion for the game. There will be hard times in your career and it is important to learn from those mistakes and work even harder. Don’t let it beat you down. Find that passion and most importantly have fun.
Namita Nayyar:
You have an impressive Instagram following of 143k followers. A message for your ardent admirers.
Sara Hughes:
Thank you for all of your support! I hope I continue to make you proud and couldn’t do this without you! Can’t wait for more to come.
Sara Hughes Social Media Presence
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahughesbeach/
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2026 Women Fitness