In 2003, St. Paul’s expanded their athletic program with the introduction of Beach Volleyball. Under the guidance of Mr. Voth, the sport has grown at the school with a number of teams competing at each grade level annually.
The sports of Indoor Volleyball and Beach Volleyball, though sharing the fundamentals, differ greatly in several key areas. One of the most notable differences are the number of players on the court. On the beach, only two players form a team. There are no additional players – such as substitutes or liberos – so players must be versatile and experienced, with a solid skillset. As there are only two players, the court measures a smaller size, allowing players to cover the space more easily. Yet, as the court is made of sand, mobility and movement are limited. To contend with the outdoor setting, a specialized ball is used that is a lighter weight and larger in size. This allows the ball to float through the air more, giving players more time to get under the ball, while increasing the impact of wind and weather on the movement of the ball.