Simpson Volleyball Embraces the Beach Life

By Mackenzie Tataryn

After a historic indoor season, Simpson University volleyball is transitioning to the sand courts.

Photo by: Simpson Athletics

The Lady Red Hawks closed the indoor Fall 2025 season with an overall record of 17-17, as the most successful women’s volleyball season in program history. Competing in the California Pacific Conference, they captured their first ever conference championship followed by their victory in the Continental Athletic Conference in Kansas. After their regular season, the girls traveled for their first ever NAIA National Tournament appearance where they faced the nation’s top ranked team, Eastern Oregon University, in the opening round. Although the season ended there, it was an unforgettable season for Simpson University.

Now, many of the same athletes are continuing their season together, but in the sand. 

As the team transitions into their beach season, all but two players from the indoor roster return, allowing them to enter their season with strong chemistry. However, despite having some familiar faces, the beach season presents a new challenge: competing in the Cascade Collegiate Conference. 

The team began their season on Saturday, January 31, winning both duels against Sacramento City College and Lassen College. They will travel to Arizona next where they face Ottawa University, the defending NAIA Beach Volleyball National Champions from last year. This matchup looks familiar to the team as they face the no.1 ranked team in America yet again.

Beyond their competitions, the future of beach volleyball at Simpson University might look different.

Currently, the Red Hawks play at Caldwell Park, about 10-15 minutes off campus. However, conversations are ramping up about the possibility of building sand courts on campus. This development could drastically impact the program’s culture and recruitment. 

Student Body President, Sean Rodriguez, shared how this idea came to light. It began last semester when Trey Bumstead came into his office talking about Friday nights at Caldwell Park. Friday nights at Caldwell are notorious for bringing together a volleyball community. 

“Dude, why can’t we bring that here?” Bumstead wondered.

After many conversations, the plan is to turn the fire pit which used to be a sand volleyball court, back into one.

“Everyone could use it. Sand recovery is an idea, there are a bunch of different possibilities with it, not just beach volleyball,” Rodriguez said.

This vision could mark a new chapter for Simpson athletics and strengthen the program’s long-term goals. Simpson Volleyball has a historic past and an exciting future.