Right when you meet these Women of Troy, the admiration, respect and friendship that they share are obvious.

On the court, they are always in sync and run like a well-oiled machine. Off the court, they laugh and joke with each other like they’ve been best friends for years. The relationship that they share is so vital to their success on the sand, so it’s no wonder that they are the top pair of the highest-ranked sand volleyball team in the nation. 

Sophomores Sara Hughes and Kelly Claes are more than just one of the most talented duos on the sand. Both Orange County natives, neither are strangers to success.

Hughes was a four-year varsity setter and opposite indoor for Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana where she was an Orange County Registrar All-Orange County Player of the Year as a senior and 2013 Female Athlete of the Year at Mater Dei, among many accolades. Hughes was named the top sand volleyball recruit in the nation in 2013 and was the first declare to only play sand volleyball at the college level.

Claes attended El Dorado High School in Placentia where she was a setter and opposite. As a senior, she earned All-Orange County first team and All-CIF Division 1A honors, recorded a school-record 39 kills in one match, and was named the top sand volleyball recruit in the nation.

In high school, both Hughes and Claes were recruited to play indoor. 

Hughes brought up that she played sand before indoor and that “it’s always been close to [her] heart.”

“I came [to USC] and knew right away it was the perfect fit for me,” she added.

Claes was seriously recruited by Long Beach State to play indoor, but she was drawn to play beach because she loved the two-person aspect and because of Hughes’ influence.

“She forced me to come,” Claes joked. “It was not my decision.”

Whoever’s decision it was, it was definitely the right one. 

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They’ve found success as a pair by competing in and winning on the national stage. In 2013, they won the gold at the USA Volleyball Beach High Performance Championships and the USA Junior Beach Tour Santa Monica Open in 2013. They captured the silver medal in both the 2014 FIVB Beach Volleyball U21 World Championships in Cyprus, the 2014 NORCECA in Boquerón, Puerto Rico. 

While the talented pair has been playing together for the past two years at the youth level, last season they had different partners. Claes played with junior Alexa Strange going 33-7. Hughes played with Kirby Burnham, now graduated. The two were 42-4 on the season, 21-0 in tournament matches: they won the AVCA Pairs National Championship together. 

“We each had learning experiences because we weren’t playing together,” Hughes explained. “It made us better players and people.”

Now, as pairs on USC’s team, they are virtually unstoppable. They are 36-3 overall on the season and 21-3 in tournament play specifically. They also captured four tournament titles this season. 

Of all their tournament victories, their favorite was when they were crowned Queens of the Beach with headpieces and trophies after winning in Hawaii. 

“They called us Queen Sara and Queen Kelly,” Hughes shared.

Considering their past experience playing together, it is a huge help. In sand volleyball, the relationship of the pair and how they balance each other on the court is key to success. For Claes and Hughes, that isn’t much of a problem.

“We already have that connection—that chemistry,” Hughes stated. 

They attribute their success to turning their focus away from their opponents and on to themselves when they play. 

“We worked on our side of the court,” Hughes explained. “We focused more on what we can do than on our opponents.”

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Head coach Anna Collier implemented that strategy throughout the entire team, and the results are clear; the team is undefeated with a 24-0 record, winning 16 of those with a 5-0 sweep. Also, only one pair this season, sophomores Nicolette Martin and Allie Wheeler, had any collegiate experience playing together. 

Speaking of Collier, Hughes mentioned that she and the rest of the coaching staff inspire everyone to do better and play their best. She mentioned specifically that Collier is a huge inspiration and motivator for her.

“Every practice she brings it,” Hughes shared. “She’s always there for us.”

Claes gushed about how Hughes inspires her.

“I’d have to say that this one inspires me,” Claes smiled as she hugged Hughes. “I love Sar-bear. You’re so good, you inspire me.”

“You inspire me too,” Hughes laughed as she genuinely returned her partner’s compliment.

The laughter that the two share, in moments like that, speaks volumes of their friendship and the success that is translated on the sand. 

This weekend, the team kicks off tournament play for the AVCA Collegiate National Championship. The past two years, the team took third overall.

For a program that was founded in 2012, USC sand volleyball has surpassed expectations. All they need now is the team national championship, which is clearly within their reach this year. 

“We want that national championship this year as a team,” Hughes commented. “If we got that together, it’d be amazing.”

A national championship would solidify USC as the college for sand volleyball. This will be a huge selling point when it comes to recruiting future players, especially considering that the NCAA has officially recognized sand volleyball with a full-fledged NCAA national championship coming in spring of 2016—the 90th NCAA Championship. 

SEE MORE: Sports SCene: Episode 11

Starting with this weekend, the pair has a busy schedule ahead of them throughout the summer. Currently, the team is fundraising to play in Europe this summer. 

“Right after the semester ends, our team will be traveling to play three international tournaments,” Claes stated. “I’m really excited for it.”

As a pair, they’ll pick up where they left off playing for the USA team. 

“We’re going to be playing in a lot of tournaments together,” Hughes added. “I’m excited for any opportunity we have to play with each other and get better.” 

They even touched a bit on their Olympic goals for the future.

“Especially for us, that’s our main goal,” Hughes stated.

“Tokyo 2020,” Claes added, finished Hughes’ sentence, as they both laughed. 

When it comes down to it, Hughes and Claes are set for success. If they continue their dominance and remain together, it’s quite possible that they could become the next Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh Jennings and inspire a whole new generation of sand volleyball athletes.  

Whether you’re a sand volleyball fan or a Trojan, you should keep your eye on Hughes and Claes—they’re destined for success. They’re the real deal. 

Contact Staff Reporter Jodee Sullivan here and on Twitter here.