Sara Hughes is looking to defend her pairs national championship in 2015 (John McGillen/USC Athletics).

Friday, USC faces No. 4 Florida State (4-2) and No. 6 Loyola Marymount (1-3) all at Merle Norman Stadium. Then, on Saturday, 20 pairs from the three schools will compete in a single elimination championship bracket. 

In the tournament last year, sophomore Sara Hughes and Kirby Burnham won the tournament and proceeded to win the AVCA Pairs National Championship at the end of the season. 

Heavily-favored USC heads into their season set on capturing the National Championship at the end of the season. In the program’s three years, the Women of Troy have come up just shy of winning by placing third nationally in 2013 and 2014; however, pairs Stevi Robinson and Kirby Burnham in 2013 and Burnham and Sara Hughes in 2014, secured the Pairs National Championship. 

Hughes is looking to defend her title with sophomore Kelly Claes, along with capturing the first team title.

“We’ve been working on team goals together, ultimately looking for another championship, both individual and team,” Hughes stated.

Claes, who enrolled early last spring, has been playing with Hughes over the past couple of summers. The two are no strangers to success on the sand together; they captured the silver medal of the NORCECA circuit on the beaches of Puerto Rico this past September. In the title match, they put up quite the fight against Mexico’s Bibiana Candelas and Martha Revuelta, 21-19, 15-21, 10-15. Candleas is a Women of Troy indoor volleyball alumna All-American and national champion.

 Hughes and Claes are favored to be quite successful on the sand this season. 

“I’m so stoked that we get to play together,” Kelly exclaimed. “I’m ready to play.” 

Head Coach Anna Collier has high hopes for the squad as a whole this season. In the offseason, she focused a significant amount on building the team’s camaraderie. 

“I think we’re more mature than last year,” Collier explained. “If we get into tight situations, we’ll handle them better than before.”

Volunteer Assistant Coach Dain Blanton echoed Collier thoughts. 

“They really willing to learn and they’re not afraid to ask questions,” Blanton commented. “That’s the sign of a true winner.”

Blanton is no stranger to success on the sand. A two-time Olympian who won gold in the 2000 Sydney Games—one of few to win a championship in college, professionally, and in the Olympics—Blanton brings years of knowledge to the squad. 

“I like to teach, I like to win, I like to be successful,” Blanton stated. “I think everybody is onboard with that.”

Last Thursday, some Women of Troy alumni stopped by for the Cardinal and Gold Alumni Match. The current team welcomed All-American Stevi Robinson, Olympic silver medalist Jennifer Kessy, AVP stars Tracy (Lindquist) Jones and Geena Urango, and former indoor collegiate star and pro Jeanne Vetter. 

Robinson reflected on her time at USC and was excited to see how much the atmosphere has changed talking about “how lucky these girls truly are.”

“It’s time for them to finally win the team championship,” Robinson pointed out.

Even Misty May-Treanor—three-time Olympic Gold medalist (2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing, 2012 London) and former volunteer assistant coach—stopped by to play a few sets with the girls. One of the most recognizable names in sand volleyball, May-Treanor shared her thoughts on the team’s growth from when she helped coach them last season.

“The talent across the board is really good,” May-Treanor commented. “I think they’re going to do great things.”

Considering the program is relatively young, Collier reflected on the new “connection to the past” that came along with the upgraded facility. She pointed out that the team now has some well-deserved recognition in the sport. Next season, the NCAA Championship will officially be held for sand volleyball, and Collier wants to make sure her team builds a strong foundation of success and victories this season.

“This year is preparation to make sure that we bring home the big one next year,” Collier mentioned.

With past national success, current national attention, and endless support, the sky is the limit for the Women of Troy on the sand this season.

If you missed them on Thursday night against TCU, see them continue their season Friday at 12:30pm and 2pm against FSU and LMU, respectively. Catch them in pairs single-elimination bracket play on Saturday as well. 

Contact Staff Reporter Jodee Sullivan here. Follow her on Twitter here.