March 7, 2013

STANFORD, Calif. -Stanford University has announced the addition of women's sand volleyball, bringing the athletic department's varsity sports lineup to 36 programs. In its inaugural season, the Cardinal will play an eight-match schedule, starting April 2.

Sand volleyball was added to the list of NCAA emerging sports for women prior to the 2011-12 academic year. Fifteen schools competed in sand volleyball during the spring of 2012 and 15 more, including Stanford, have added the sport in 2013.

The Cardinal will be coached by John Dunning, the head coach of Stanford's indoor team, associate head coach Denise Corlett and volunteer assistant coach Sara Dukes Johnson. Jason Mansfieldwill serve as the Director of Operations. Stanford's roster will include the 11 returning players from the Cardinal's 2012 indoor roster.

Stanford women's volleyball already has a rich tradition of developing players for the beach volleyball professional circuit. Three Cardinal alumnae have further represented the United States in the Olympics, including three-time gold medalist Kerri Walsh(2004, 2008 &2012), Barbara Fontana (1996) and Nancy Reno (1996).

Stanford is scheduled to play eight matches against other local squads. Six of the eight matches will be played on the Stanford campus during the month of April. Matches will be played on the ACSR Sand Volleyball Courts. All dates and times are still subject to change.

2013 Stanford Sand Volleyball Schedule
April 2 vs. Santa Clara (3:30 p.m.)
April 7 at Sacramento State (12 p.m.)
April 7 vs. Saint Mary's (3 p.m.) *at Sacramento State
April 9 vs. Santa Clara (3:30 p.m.)
April 16 vs. Pacific (3:30 p.m.)
April 21 vs. Sacramento State (9 a.m.)
April 21 vs. San Francisco (12 p.m.)
April 23 vs. Santa Clara (3:30 p.m.)