Kent Steffes

Kent Steffes is widely regarded as one of the greatest beach volleyball players of all time, earning his place in history as the first Olympic gold medalist in men’s beach volleyball at the 1996 Atlanta Games alongside legendary partner Karch Kiraly. A standout from Palisades High School in California, Steffes earned national recognition as the 1986 National High School Player of the Year before playing collegiate volleyball at Stanford and UCLA, where he balanced academics with elite-level competition. Turning professional in 1988, he quickly became the sport’s brightest young star, winning 110 professional tournaments — including 53 between 1992–1994 — and amassing nearly $2.5 million in career prize money. Known for his complete skill set, Steffes excelled in serving, blocking, defending, setting, and side-outs, earning AVP Most Valuable Player, Comeback Player of the Year, and Special Achievement honors in 1996.

Steffes’ success extended beyond physical talent; his mental toughness, strategic preparation, and dedication to fitness and nutrition set a new standard in professional beach volleyball. He helped establish the modern era of the AVP, inspiring both players and fans while gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated and People magazines. Over his storied career, he earned induction into the California Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame (2004), was named a USAV All-Time Great Male Beach Player (2020), and will join the Volleyball Hall of Fame in 2025. Kent Steffes’ legacy endures as both a trailblazer and one of the sport’s most complete and dominant athletes.