Northwest Notes

Boise State to add

sand volleyball in 2014

BOISE - Boise State athletic director Mark Coyle has announced the addition of women's sand volleyball to the list of sports sponsored by the Broncos.

The Boise State Board of Trustees gave its approval to add the sport at its last board meeting in Pocatello. Sand volleyball will begin next spring.

NCAA sand volleyball began with 15 teams in 2012, then doubled in size this past spring with 16 more. At this time Boise State is the seventh school to announce the addition of the sport in 2014, joining Arizona, Arizona State, Cal Poly, LSU, UC Irvine and South Carolina, bringing the total number of teams nationwide to 38.

Boise State is the first school to add sand volleyball in the Pacific Northwest and Intermountain regions, as well as the Mountain West Conference. Other schools in the region and conference reportedly exploring the addition of the sport include Washington State, Washington, Oregon, San Jose State, Air Force, Colorado State, Colorado and Utah.

Shawn Garus, the head coach for the volleyball (indoor) team will take on that duty for both programs on a permanent basis.

"I am excited for the opportunity to coach sand volleyball at Boise State," said Garus. "This is not only going to benefit our current volleyball players, but will increase opportunities for other women to compete in this sport on our campus. It's a great sport that has grown in popularity since being added to the Olympics. I look forward to running camps, clinics and tournaments to help grow sand volleyball in the Boise area."

Initially the Bronco sand volleyball team will be composed of members from the current volleyball program, many of which had experience in sand volleyball during their high school careers. Most notably were sophomore setter Sarah Baugh, a standout in Washington and freshman libero Hannah Hubbard from southern California, both were highly accomplished sand volleyball players in the prep ranks of their respective states.

It is unlikely that the Broncos would host any matches during its first season.