“You have to learn little things like wind, and you’re outside and it’s only two of you, so little things like that are an adjustment for sure,” Ally Batenhorst told NBC while discussing her foray into beach volleyball. However, it seems the 23-year-old will have to adjust to a lot more than just the unique challenges of playing on the beach vs. the court. So, what’s the extra adjustment?

Earlier, Batenhorst uploaded a clip after getting her hands on her beach volleyball uniform with a sarcastic caption. “Just a subtle change from indoor,” Batenhorst joked in the caption and even added more in the closed captions. “Me realizing my new volleyball is literally a bikini,” she added. Soon, curious fans started asking her about the drastic outfit change. So much so that the former USC Trojan responded in a separate TikTok.

“A lot of comments about my last TikTok, about our beach volleyball uniform,” Ally Batenhorst started the video. However, this time she was with the woman who helped make the leap, Sara Hughes. “I’m with Sarah. This is my beach partner… We actually love them,” admitted the former Husker to make sure no one got the impression that she disliked them after the first video.

“I like playing in a bathing suit,” said Hughes, who is not only an Olympic veteran but the 2023world champion. Yet, there’s a good reason why Hughes and Batenhorst said they loved their uniform. Just like the various differences between indoor and beach volleyball, the sun is a huge factor in beach volleyball. “When you’re on the beach, it’s just so hot,” added the 23-year-old.

What’s more? The former Nebraska Huskers’ outside hitter is free to make alterations to the uniform if she wants. “You have the decision, you can wear shorts or tights if you’d like. You’re not forced to wear them,” Hughes added. “You’re not forced, but it is cute and we like it,” Ally Batenhorst chimed in. Furthermore, a change in uniform will be the least of the former pro’s concerns if she can’t perform, and that’s why Batenhorst isn’t taking any breaks.

Ally Batenhorst has already embarked on her journey

While partnering with Sara Hughes for beach volleyball will have its challenges, it’s not like the 23-year-old is an absolute rookie. Despite never having played beach volleyball professionally, the outside hitter did play her fair share of beach volleyball at Nebraska. The former Omaha Supernovas outside hitter earned a collegiate record of 39-28, going 15-5 with Bergen Reilly in 2023.

However, her prior beach volleyball experience wasn’t the only reason why Sara Hughes approached the rookie pro. “She looks like a true leader on the court. She’s very passionate, and I thought all those would translate to the beach,” Hughes told NBC about why she chose Ally Batenhorst as her partner. The duo also understood they had made the right choice after their very first practice.

“After practicing together. I could just feel how much she believed in me. It’s actually weird how similar we are,” Batenhorst said about the instant chemistry between her and the Olympian. Unfortunately, Hughes suffered an Achilles tendon injury earlier this year and can’t play full-fledged matches just yet. But that hasn’t stopped Batenhorst.

On August 1 and 2, Ally Batenhorst featured the Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament in Southern California. As per the official website, the annual tournament is quite popular, drawing a 50,000-strong crowd, and guess what? Battenhorst found a place on the Gummy Gainz team. “BACK-TO-BACK CHAMPS,” Gummy Gainz posted on social media. It seems the uniform won’t be a problem at all.