South Carolina joins rebranded beach volleyball conference

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina beach volleyball program is joining a conference, the rebranded Coastal Collegiate Sports Association.

The school announced the move Tuesday. The Gamecocks will compete next year in the CCSA’s eight-member beach volleyball league, which includes Florida State, LSU and Tulane. South Carolina will start its third season of beach volleyball next spring.

The first conference championship will be held at LakePoint Sports Complex in Emerson, Georgia, next April. The NCAA will have its first beach volleyball championship in Alabama in May.

Coach Moritz Moritz said joining the CCSA is a positive step for his team. He said playing in a competitive league will help the team goal of reaching the NCAA tournament.