Two-time American collegiate champions, Claes and Hughes qualified for their first FIVB World Championship appearance via their international ranking. The pair’s prior FIVB world championship experience was in the youth competition where Claes and Hughes captured bronze medals together in 2013 (under-19) and 2014 (under-21). In addition to the youth medals, Claes and Hughes have captured three titles on the NORCECA tour and defeated Rio 2016 Olympic champions Laura Ludwig and Kira Walkenhorst of Germany in a pool play match at the 2016 Klagenfurt Major. It was the Germans last defeat prior to winning 13-straight matches enroute to topping the podium in Klagenfurt followed by the Olympic gold medal on Copacabana.