University of Maryland Women's Volleyball

Hughes has been instrumental in raising the talent on the court and excitement around the program. The Terps brought the 16th-ranked recruiting class in for 2016, the first time in program history the freshman class has been ranked. In 2015, the Terrapins began the season on an 8-0 run, trumping the season before for the program's best start since 2005. Maryland moved to 10-1, matching 2014's season total in wins. In the team's Big Ten opener vs. Illinois, the Terps set the highest Pavilion attendance with 1,752 fans. Maryland earned its first win over a ranked opponent since 2010 with a three-set upset of No. 12 Ohio State on Nov. 6. Hughes helped coach Maryland through its most difficult schedule in 2014 as the Terps took on 12 ranked opponents in their first season in the Big Ten Conference. He played a crucial role in increasing interest and support from the community as the Terps set four top-10 attendance records in program history, including the No. 1 attendance record (4,522 vs. Penn State, Oct. 23).  Hughes also has community ties as a coach for Metro American Volleyball Club's 15 Travel team. On April 1, 2015, Hughes was named a recipient of the prestigious 'Thirty Under 30' award by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, which honors the top-30 up-and-coming volleyball coaches under the age of 30. Hughes' duties as the Director of Volleyball Operations at Penn State included team travel logistics and day-to-day organization, as well as being the primary technical operator of the Data Volley and Data Video software. The Nittany Lions captured the national title in 2013. In addition, Hughes was also the volunteer assistant coach for the women's volleyball team at UC Irvine in 2008-09. At UCI, Hughes handled video exchange, statistical analysis, helped build scouting reports and developed and implemented practice plans. Hughes served as a volunteer assistant and manager for the Nittany Lion women from 2003-08. During that time, he assisted in team training, worked with Data Volleyball and DigVid, supported recruiting efforts and served as gym coordinator for four courts during the Penn State individual and team summer camps. During his nine seasons at Penn State, Hughes helped the Nittany Lions capture three NCAA National Championships and eight Big Ten Conference championships. Following graduation, Hughes was an assistant coach with the State College Area High School boys varsity volleyball team and the head coach of the junior varsity squad. He was responsible for player development, served as the State College Invitational Director, where he oversaw a 24-team tournament, and also built and coached the Nittany Elite Volleyball Club program for off-season training. Hughes earned a bachelor's degree in Economics from the Penn State Smeal School of Business in 2006.