The U.S. women’s beach team, consisting of Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, kicked off their 2024 Olympic run with an impressive victory at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour challenge event in Torquay, Australia.
In a thrilling final match, Cheng and Hughes, the tournament’s top-seeded team, defeated Lvwen Yuan and Jie Dong of China in straight sets (21-11, 21-16). The chemistry between Cheng and Hughes was palpable, as they showcased their hard work and skill on the court.
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In an interview with Volleyball World, Hughes expressed her excitement about the win, saying, “We’ve been working really hard since we got back together, and it showed. It was so much fun, and I’m thrilled to be bringing home the gold with Kelly.” Cheng also chimed in, stating, “We are a force to be reckoned with. We wanted to make a statement, and I believe we did just that.”
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Cheng and Hughes previously played together at USC, helping the Trojans secure national titles in 2016 and 2017. After their collegiate success, they continued to compete together on the AVP and FIVB tours before briefly parting ways in 2018.
Another U.S. women’s team, Megan Kraft and Emily Stockman, had a strong showing in Torquay, finishing in fourth place. They defeated China’s Jinjin Zeng and Xinxin Wang in the quarterfinals but fell to Cheng and Hughes in the semifinals. In the third-place match, Kraft and Stockman lost to China’s Xinyi Xia and MeiMei Lin in a hard-fought battle.
On the men’s side, Tim Brewster and Kyle Friend made their international debut in Torquay, finishing tied for 17th after a challenging competition.
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Looking ahead, the U.S. teams are gearing up for the Torquay Elite 16 event in the World Beach Pro Tour. Alongside Cheng and Hughes, Taryn Kloth, Kristen Nuss, Betsi Flint, Julia Scoles, and Olympic indoor player Paul Lotman, paired with Miles Evans, will be representing the United States.
To stay updated on the competition, visit the Volleyball World website.
FAQs
Q: Who won the gold medal at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour challenge event in Torquay?
A: Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, the U.S. women’s beach team, emerged victorious, securing the gold medal.
Q: Have Cheng and Hughes played together before this event?
A: Yes, Cheng and Hughes played together at USC, where they helped the Trojans win national titles in 2016 and 2017. They also competed as a team on the AVP and FIVB tours.
Q: How did Megan Kraft and Emily Stockman perform in Torquay?
A: Kraft and Stockman had a strong performance, finishing in fourth place after showcasing their skills and defeating notable opponents.
Summary
The U.S. women’s beach team, composed of Kelly Cheng and Sara Hughes, made an outstanding start to their Olympic journey by securing the gold medal at the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour challenge event in Torquay, Australia. They displayed exceptional chemistry, having worked tirelessly since reuniting, and showcased their skills to emerge victorious. Cheng and Hughes previously achieved success at USC and continued to excel on the AVP and FIVB tours. Megan Kraft and Emily Stockman also had an impressive performance, finishing fourth in Torquay. The U.S. teams are now preparing for the Torquay Elite 16 event, where they will compete against top-level opponents. Stay updated on the competition by visiting the Volleyball World website.
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