Competition will begin with the spring 2013 season
The addition of sand volleyball gives the Huskers 24 intercollegiate programs, including 14 women’s teams and 10 men’s teams. Sand volleyball is the first sport Nebraska has added since women’s rifle began competition in the 1998-99 season.
Sand was approved as a women's sport in 2009 and began play in the 2011-12 school year. More than 20 schools currently sponsor sand volleyball, with that number expected to grow in the coming years.
Nebraska Volleyball Coach John Cook said the growing popularity of sand volleyball made the addition of the sport at Nebraska an attractive option. “We have talked a great deal about our vision for sand volleyball,” Cook said. “We plan to start small and grow as the sport continues to develop. We understand the challenges in terms of our location, but we have a good plan on how to manage our sand volleyball team and grow with the sport.”
Nebraska does not intend to offer scholarships for sand volleyball players, but all members of the Huskers’ court volleyball team can participate in the sand season. Sand volleyball teams may have a maximum of two coaches, and Cook said he and assistant coach Dan Meske will fill those positions.
Sand volleyball teams are required to play at least eight matches with three of them being dual matches. The Huskers will begin sand volleyball practice later this week.
