2014 Women's Collegiate Sand Volleyball National Tourney

Sand Volleyball, known to most of us as beach volleyball, is on track to be recognized by the NCAA as a championship sport by 2016. The sport has passed a number of important hurdles since being approved as an emerging sport by the NCAA in Division I and Division II in the spring of 2009. Starting from scratch meant creating rules and regulations governing everything from uniforms to scholarships, scoring and scheduling, as well as surpassing the threshold of 40 schools with sand volleyball programs.

The first college beach volleyball match was played on March 3, 2012. The match was played between Florida State and Auburn University.

Currently the sport has over 45 four-year colleges and universities, 20 two-year colleges, and 4 NAIA college sponsors. Sand volleyball is a growing sport that is popular internationally and domestically. An Olympic sport since 1996, seats at the Men's and Women's beach volleyball tournament are among the most difficult tickets to obtain.

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) held a championship beginning in 2012. The championship tournament was hosted in Gulf Shores in 2012 and 2013. The tournament is again being hosted in Gulf Shores from May 2-4. The tournament is hosted by the Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Sports Commission (GSOBSC). You can check it out here:

Gulf Shores Public Beach at the Hangout
101 E Beach Blvd
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
251-948-3030

It's always a great time to be in the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach area, but if you are a fan of beach volleyball, this is the time to come to the Gulf and stay at one of our Orange Beach condos or Gulf Shores rentals. Teams from the University of Southern California, Pepperdine, Florida State University, the University of Hawaii, Florida International University and Stetson University will be competing for the third annual AVCA Collegiate Sand Volleyball National Championship. The top Pairs team from the 6 schools competing for the championship and 10 pairs from the "Best of the Rest" will compete in a 16-team Pairs Championship. Pairs were selected from Long Beach State, the University of North Florida, Grand Canyon University, the University of Louisiana Monroe, Jacksonville University, Saint Mary's College of California, Loyola Marymount University, Tulane and UAB.

The college beach volleyball tournament schedule is posted below:

Team Tournament
Friday, May 2
9 a.m. - No. 4 Hawaii vs. No. 5 Florida International
10 a.m. - No. 3 Florida State vs. No. 6 Stetson
Noon -- No. 1 Southern Cal vs. Hawaii/Florida International winner
1 p.m. - No. 2 Pepperdine vs. Florida State/Stetson winner
4 p.m. - Hawaii/Florida International loser vs. 1 p.m. loser
5 p.m. - Florida State/Stetson winner vs. noon loser

Saturday, May 3
11 a.m. - Semifinal
Noon -- Semifinal
3:30 p.m. -- Championship
Pairs Tournament

Best of the Rest Schedule
Friday, May 2
Pool-play matches are at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Saturday, May 3
Pool-play matches are at 9 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Play-in matches are at 2 p.m.

Sunday, May 4
8 a.m. - Round of 16 matches
10 a.m. - Quarterfinals
Noon - Semifinals
2 p.m. ? Championship

Portions of the college beach volleyball tournament will be broadcast on CBS Sports. The event will be aired on 5/26 at 7:00PM, 5/30 at 7:30PM and 6/2 at 7:00PM.

Book your stay at one of our Gulf Shores condos or Orange Beach rentals and enjoy some excellent women's beach volleyball today!