Sara Hughes/Kelly Claes Become Youngest AVP Tourney Winners

September 05, 2017 | Women's Beach Volleyball, Features

Hughes also named FIVB Rookie of the Year.

Former USC All-American beach volleyballers Sara Hughes and Kelly Claes became the youngest team ever to win an AVP tournament when they captured the season-ending AVP's The Championship on Sunday (Sept. 3) in Chicago.

The 22-year-old Hughes and 21-year-old Claes defeated Summer Ross and Olympian Brooke Sweat, 21-17, 21-18, in the final to win the $22,000 first place prize money. To get to the final, Hughes/Claes beat two-time Olympian and former Trojan April Ross and Olympian Lauren Fendrick, 21-14, 21-19.

This summer, Hughes/Claes also finished third, seventh and ninth in AVP events. On the FIVB Tour, they finished fifth twice and ninth twice.

On Tuesday (Sept. 5), Hughes was named the FIVB's Rookie of the Year, becoming the second Trojan woman so honored, along with Ross (in 2007). Ross won her fifth FIVB Best Server this season. The awards are voted on by players, coaches, referees and FIVB officials.