SSAC to serve up beach volleyball as high school sport in Florida

The Sunshine State Athletic Conference, which Legacy Charter, CFCA and Windermere Prep compete in for football, is adding the growing sport of beach volleyball to its offerings. 

With the rise in popularity of beach volleyball nationally, both the SSAC and the Florida Region of USA Volleyball have partnered to initiate beach volleyball as an official high school sport in the state of Florida. The announcement came April 19.

"Offering girls beach volleyball to our members was a decision that just made sense," SSAC President Stuart Weiss said. "It only requires a few players, Florida is the state of sun and sand and girls beach volleyball is the fastest-growing sport in the country."

Central Florida's own Jim Hoffman has been hired as the commissioner of the new league within the SSAC.

"I'm convinced this program is destined to expand rapidly and become one of the favorite sporting events for the member schools," Hoffman said.

The first SSAC High School Beach Volleyball Championships will be held in April of 2017 in Tavares at Hickory Point Beach, a 21-court facility.

The league’s spring season will replicate most of the NCAA formula for matches and adapt USA Volleyball rules and regulations for play. The competition aspect will involve a minimum of three pairs of girls per squad, competing against the opponent school’s squad in the best two out of three matches.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].