Just a few years ago one of the most popular activities of the summer wasn’t even a collegiate sport, but now beach volleyball is thriving in the college community.

Long Beach State, Pepperdine, St. Mary’s, and many Pac-12 colleges are already making an addition to their sports programs. Beach Volleyball is emerging as a game to be remembered in the college world.

It began here in California and spread its way over to the east coast and the south. Places such as South Carolina, Tulane, and Stetson are all finding a way to create teams on their own soil, even without beaches.

Lauren Utchen, senior here at Monte Vista and experienced beach player, is ecstatic for the addition of this new sport. Having attended the Beach High Performance A2 program and being a part of the USA Beach Volleyball National team, she is delighted this great sport will now be an even bigger part of the world.

“I know the CSUs are going to start adding some [teams] next year, like in Monterey Bay!” Lauren Utchen said.

Many other programs, associations and players are excited for this event.