By: Cassie Langdon

Throughout the whole season, a remarkable overall of 1,500 matches happen, however eventually, the spotlight shines on the last 15 matches that will identify the nationwide champ. This interesting journey includes 3 extreme rounds to crown one supreme nationwide champ.

The prominent 2025 National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship will include a choice of sixteen groups competing for splendor. The action begins on the early morning of Friday, May 2, with a complete day of matches showcasing 8 awesome contests. Following this, the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds will unfold on May 3, culminating in the nationwide champ’s crowning on May 4. All matches will unfold at the beautiful Gulf Shores Public Beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama, a precious location for the champion because its creation in 2016, and it will stay the champion’s home through a minimum of 2031.

This season has actually been absolutely nothing except exciting, filled with unanticipated upsets and various groups contending increasingly for the leading area. The 2025 champion is set to provide a captivating level of competitors, appealing fascinating contests and extreme competitions that will keep fans on the edge of their seats.

Current Season Highlights and Rankings

This season has actually seen impressive efficiencies from 3 groups presently holding the leading rank: the dominant Southern California and UCLA, in addition to TCU. An overall of twenty-one groups have actually been acknowledged in different rankings throughout the season, highlighting the competitive landscape, with 7 groups making a considerable effect by getting into the leading 5 at various points.

Interestingly, no group has actually handled to keep an unbeaten record; in truth, every group has actually experienced a minimum of 4 losses. The season has actually been defined by a series of close calls, nail-biting upsets, and firmly objected to head-to-head matches. As the champion choice methods, more than 1,400 double matches have actually currently been objected to throughout the routine season, showcasing the strength and unpredictability of college beach volley ball.

Teams Competing for the Gulf Shores Championship

The total lineup of the 16-team field will be formally revealed on Sunday, April 27. Out of these, 8 groups will protect their areas through automated credentials, while the staying 8 will be picked at-large from a swimming pool of gifted groups throughout the country. The Women’s Beach Volleyball Committee assembles routinely throughout the season to assess and pick the at-large groups while likewise seeding the whole champion field. This committee, which includes 7 devoted members, is chaired by Ashley Armstrong, the Deputy Athletic Director and SWA at Loyola Marymount University.

“The level of competition in collegiate beach volleyball is higher than ever before. Participation in beach volleyball continues to rise, and the collegiate format offers a team-based model that generates excitement and engagement. The National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship stands out as one of the premier NCAA championships to be a part of, and we eagerly anticipate returning to Gulf Shores for the 2025 event,” stated Armstrong.

“The collaboration between Alabama’s Beaches Sports & Events and the University of Alabama at Birmingham has played a pivotal role in bringing the national championship back to Gulf Shores this May. The community has worked tirelessly to support the event, warmly welcoming teams and fans from all over the country, and creating a first-class venue to witness the top collegiate beach volleyball teams compete for the coveted title,” she included.

“We are excited to see fans, parents, and beach volleyball enthusiasts securing their tickets to join us in Gulf Shores and cheer for the 16 teams competing for the esteemed title of 2025 NCAA national champion.”

Conferences that have actually made automated certification for this champion consist of:

• ASUN Conference
• Big West Conference
• Conference U.S.A.
• Mountain Pacific Sports Federation
• Ohio Valley Conference
• Southland Conference
• Sun Belt Conference
• West Coast Conference

For the choice of the 8 at-large groups, the committee will execute the following requirements to direct their choices:

• Head-to-head competitors results
• Results versus typical challengers
• Strength of schedule analysis
• Overall efficiency record (need to be .500 or above)

In simply 8 years of the champion’s history, 25 various groups have actually defended the prominent title. Since the champion started, just 2 groups have actually declared success: Southern California with 6 titles and UCLA with 2. The 2025 routine season has set the phase for numerous groups excited to engrave their names into this renowned history – however the concern stays: who will emerge triumphant and take the champion crown in Gulf Shores?

Experience Every Moment of the Championship

All 16 seeds will fight it out in a single-elimination bracket beginning on Friday, May 2. The champion occasion will be transmitted throughout ESPN networks, with ESPN2 offering live protection on May 2 and May 3, while the champion match will be streamed live on ESPN on May 4. Each court for each double match will likewise be readily available for live streaming on ESPN+.

For those excited to witness the action first-hand in Gulf Shores, tickets can be quickly acquired at ncaa.com/beachvolleyball. Options for all-session and day passes are easily readily available for fans.

Competition will start on Friday, May 2, at 8 a.m. Central Time, marking the start of a thrilling champion weekend.

The post Who’s Heading to Gulf Shores appeared initially on Volleyballmag.com.