Rising beach volleyball star Ally Batenhorst, the partner of world champion Sara Hughes, has been suspended by the sport’s international governing body after testing positive for a banned substance, the Southern California News Group has learned.

Batenhorst is appealing the decision, her agent Thomas P. McCarthy confirmed to SCNG.

Batenhorst, 23, tested positive for what McCarthy described as a prescription medication after a match at the Elite 16 tournament, a Beach Pro Tour stop in Newport Beach last month. Batenhorst was notified of the positive test by FIVB, volleyball’s worldwide governing body, Tuesday night.

FIVB has not announced the suspension.

“Ally has a Dr. prescribed prescription/medication that both the FIVB and USA Volleyball were and are aware of prior to the FIVB drug

See Full Page