Meet Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes of Team USA Beach Volleyball – NBC Chicago

During the Olympic Games in Paris, one of the best beach volleyball duos will come together again: Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes.

At USC, the duo won 103 consecutive matches and left a legacy of dominance on the collegiate circuit. After graduating, the duo began their professional beach volleyball careers together in 2017 before parting ways in 2018.

In late 2022, the two reunited and just a year later they captured the World Tour Final title. In October 2023, they won the world championship together.

Cheng (formerly Claes) returns to the Olympic volleyball court with a new name, a new partner, and a new chance to bring home gold. As one half of the reigning Beach Volleyball World Champion, Cheng has a lot to prove under the shadow of the Eiffel Tower this summer as she competes for her first gold medal with Team USA.

Hughes, a 29-year-old former college champion, will make her Olympic debut this summer in Paris.

Meet the world champion beach volleyball duo as they prepare for their Olympic participation this summer.

How old is Kelly Cheng?

Cheng is 28 years old. She was born on September 18, 1995.

How tall is Kelly Cheng?

Cheng is 1.88 meters tall.

Where is Kelly Cheng from?

Cheng is from Fullerton, California.

Where does Kelly Cheng live now?

Cheng lives in Huntington Beach, California.

“If it goes too fast, I can’t stop the train,” said Kelly Cheng.

Who are Kelly Cheng’s parents?

Cheng was born to parents Paul and Quincy Claes. Paul played baseball for two years at San Diego State.

When did Kelly Cheng start playing volleyball?

Cheng started playing beach volleyball when he was 10 or 11 years old and was recruited by a local coach.

As Cheng recounted, “…he (local coach) kind of looks around and he scouts the tallest person in the gym, which was my dad, sitting in the stands. He’s 7 feet tall, big guy. And he just starts talking to him, like, ‘Hey. Who’s your daughter?'”

Where did Kelly Cheng go to college?

Kelly Cheng attended the University of Southern California (USC) from January 2014 to March 2017. She received a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Cheng played for USC’s beach volleyball team for four years, winning the player of the year award twice. She was named an All-American three times and led the USC Trojans to back-to-back national championships, winning the NCAA national championships in 2016 and 2017.

Who is Kelly Cheng’s husband?

Kelly Cheng’s husband is Jordan Cheng. Jordan Cheng is a beach volleyball coach and has been coaching Cheng since 2019. The couple started dating in 2020 and got married in 2022.

More fun facts about Kelly Cheng

• Cheng can juggle volleyball
• Cheng, a self-described nerd, enjoys video games, Dungeons and Dragons, anime, and comic book conventions
• Eager to play at a higher level, Cheng graduated from high school a semester early to join USC’s beach volleyball program

How old is Sara Hughes?

Hughes is 29 years old. She was born on February 14, 1995.

How tall is Sara Hughes?

Hughes is 1.78 meters tall.

Where is Sara Hughes from?

Hughes was born in Long Beach, California, but grew up in Costa Mesa, California.

Where does Sara Hughes live now?

Hughes lives in Hermosa Beach, California.

Does Sara Hughes have any siblings?

Hughes has two older siblings: a brother, Connor, who played outside forward at UC Irvine and was named tournament MVP during the 2013 NCAA title run, and a sister, Lauren, who played collegiate volleyball at Fairfield.

When did Sara Hughes start playing beach volleyball?

Hughes started playing beach volleyball at the age of 8.

Where did Sara Hughes go to college?

Sara Hughes attended the University of Southern California (USC). She graduated in 2017 with a degree in business administration and then stayed at USC to earn her master’s degree in entrepreneurship in 2018.

Hughes was one of the first athletes ever to accept a full four-year scholarship for beach volleyball, and the first at USC. During her time at USC, Hughes helped the Trojans win five national championships; two individual and three team championships. Hughes was team captain from her sophomore through senior year, and was named an All-American four times.

More fun facts about Sara Hughes

• Hughes grew up in Huntington Beach, just outside Los Angeles, and was a huge idol for three-time Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor, who lived and trained in the area. Hughes often watched May-Treanor’s sessions and even joined in on some of the workouts.
• Hughes made competing in the Olympics her goal when she was 8 years old

“Ever since I was 8 years old, it was my goal to represent the U.S. and go to the Olympics,” she said in September 2023. “I can still remember that moment. I was on the north side of the pier, a few lanes down, and I just knew I had found exactly what I wanted to do.”

NBC Sports Olympics Editor-in-Chief Nick Zaccardi explains what Kelly Cheng needs to do to keep fans entertained at the Paris Olympics.