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ATHLETICS
Serving up a Stand-Out Sport
The growing sport of competitive beach volleyball comes to UMHB
UMHB’s athletic program gains a new sport this spring semester. Starting in February, UMHB adds beach volleyball to its growing list of competitive sports.
Since UMHB will be one of only a handful of colleges in Texas that has beach volleyball, Coach Mark Pryor says this is an exciting time for the athletics program and will help the university stand out from other schools.
Students and coaches are excited to have this new competitive sport played at UMHB since it brings something new for students to experience on campus.
“The university is always looking for ways to add value and add experiences for students,” said Mark Pryor, who is also head coach for indoor volleyball. “With the courts already on campus as well as the growth of the sport, it provides UMHB an opportunity to attract more students and be on the cutting edge of a growing sport.” The new beach volleyball program will start playing games in February, kicking off the season at A&M Kingsville. They will have the possibility to play against Division III, II, NAIA, and even Division I programs. In order to have a beach volleyball team, there needs to be 12 players which will make up six teams of two players on each team. Even though, this year the beach volleyball teams will not be eligible to go to the national tournament, Pryor is hopeful that UMHB will be represented in the future Beach Volleyball National Tournament.
“In future years, we will definitely be looking to compete at the national tournament, and I believe we will be able to represent the university well at the national tournament in the not too distant future,” Pryor said.
- Victoria Kuntz, student writer
Freshmen beach volleyball players Aliana Rojas, in the foreground, and Olivia Sherbert prepare for the first competitions beginning in February.