Elaine Youngs

Elaine Youngs, born on February 14, 1970, is a distinguished American former professional volleyball player who excelled in both indoor and beach volleyball. Her athletic journey began at UCLA, where she made an immediate impact as a freshman, contributing to an undefeated season and leading the Bruins to the NCAA semi-finals. Despite a setback due to a knee injury in 1990, Youngs returned to the court in 1991, helping her team clinch the national title. Over her four-year collegiate career, she consistently led the Bruins to the Final Four and earned All-American honors each year.

Youngs' prowess extended beyond the collegiate level as she joined the USA Volleyball indoor team, securing a silver medal at the 1994 Goodwill Games and competing in the 1996 Olympics, where the team finished seventh. Her transition to beach volleyball began in 1997, where she quickly made her mark by finishing third in her first professional tournament. Partnering with notable players like Liz Masakayan and Holly McPeak, Youngs showcased her talent on the sand, culminating in a bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Throughout her career, Youngs achieved remarkable success, winning fifty-one professional beach volleyball tournaments and being named the MVP of the Association of Volleyball Professionals in 2002. Her dedication to the sport was recognized with her induction into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2006. After a successful career, she retired from professional volleyball at the end of the 2010 season, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in both indoor and beach volleyball.