Cuesta Athletics debuts its newest sport this Friday when Beach Volleyball opens its initial campaign at El Camino College in Torrance.  The 'Sand Spikers' represent the Cougars' 16th active sport and its first new Cuesta sport since adding women's water polo in 1999.  Beach was able to beat out Women's Wrestling as Cuesta's 20th sport, while Football (1965-77), Men's Golf (1980-94), and both Men's (1970-93) Women's Tennis (1978-09) remain retired.  Cuesta Women's Volleyball Coach Whitney Meyer has helped make the transition to the new sport seamless as eleven players have signed up for the program, despite it only being announced over the Thanksgiving Holiday.  

Beach Volleyball is similar to indoor volleyball in the same way as skiing is to snowboarding or baseball to softball with strong similarities and vast differences.  The venue, of course, is a huge factor in moving from the climate-controlled gymnasium with a quick, yet unforgiving, hardwood floor to San Luis Obispo's unpredictable Spring weather and the gritty comfort of sand.  The addition of Beach was natural for the Cougars, who have had a Sand Volleyball facility on campus since the Beach Volleyball boom landed in Pismo Beach in the early eighties and Cuesta's indoor team was winning State Championships.  Beach Volleyball teams are comprised of five pairs each playing a best-of-three sets.  The first two sets are played to 21 points, with a two-point lead, while, if needed, a third set is played to 15 points. 

Cuesta's Beach team shall make its debut this Friday in Torrance with a doubleheader against Rio Hondo (Noon) and host El Camino (1 PM).  The Cougars' current roster contains some familiar names, including all-Conference Indoor Stars Bailey Woodside and Taylor Vannest, plus five of their teammates from the indoor squad.