SALEM, Ore. – Corban University Director of Athletics Twiggs Reed announced on Wednesday that the Warriors would be adding women's Beach Volleyball as a varsity sport, beginning in the 2019-2020 academic year.

"I am thrilled to announce the addition of Beach Volleyball for the 2019-20 season of competition," said Reed. "Beach Volleyball has been one of the fastest growing sports on the west coast, and it is a fast and exciting game to play as well as to watch. I am grateful for the opportunity so many young ladies will have in the coming years to compete at the highest level while obtaining a Christ-centered education."

Beach Volleyball becomes Corban's 15th varsity program that will compete in the 2019-20 campaign, as well as the institution's eighth varsity women's program. Corban is the first Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) school to add Beach Volleyball and the third institution in the state of Oregon to officially offer the sport.

The Warriors will compete in a non-conference schedule for the 2019-20 season, with Beach Volleyball playing as a spring sport. In order to prepare for this new varsity program, Warrior Athletics will soon be breaking ground this spring to add four sand volleyball courts on campus.

"I am extremely excited for what Beach Volleyball brings to Corban Volleyball, Corban University, and the overall community around our area," said Warrior Volleyball head coach Kim McLain. "Not only does Beach Volleyball provide an opportunity for female athletes to play the sport at Corban University, but also receive an education while providing them a community and culture of academic excellence, spiritual, and personal growth."

The Beach Volleyball program will join the nationally-ranked and recognized Warrior indoor volleyball program – a team that has advanced to the NAIA National Tournament three straight years, earning berths in the NAIA Final 16 twice and the NAIA Quarterfinals once. Faith, hard work, and excellence will drive both programs as a whole.

News will be announced soon as to who the head coach of the Beach Volleyball program will be. For more information about Warrior Volleyball, head to CorbanWarriors.com.