JOHN HUNT PARK | HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The Coastal Alabama - North Volleyball program, led by head coach Steven Dickey, made history this past week by sending several Coyotes to compete in the inaugural National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Beach Volleyball Pairs Event, held alongside the 2026 NJCAA Beach Volleyball Championship in Huntsville, Alabama.

Representing the Coyotes in the program's first national beach volleyball appearance, the duo of Ella Sprouse and Morgan Dykes delivered an impressive showing, advancing to the Silver Bracket Finals and finishing the tournament with a 3-2 overall record. Their run came to an end against Mesa Community College (Ariz.) in the championship match of the bracket.

The second Coastal Alabama pair, Savannah Creamer and Joleigh Parmer, along with alternate Abbie Mathews, also gained valuable experience on the national stage, finishing 1-4 overall in the highly competitive field.

The event marked a significant milestone not only for Coastal Alabama but for the state as well, as the Coyotes were the only NJCAA program from Alabama represented in the tournament.
 

The NJCAA introduced the Beach Volleyball Pairs Event in 2026 as a way to expand access and participation in the growing sport. The event featured 16 pairs competing over two days, beginning with pool play and followed by a single-elimination bracket.

In a unique format designed to encourage growth of the sport, institutions were not required to officially sponsor beach volleyball in order to participate, opening the door for emerging programs like Coastal Alabama.

"The addition of the Pairs Event reflects our commitment to growing the sport of beach volleyball and providing more opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the national level," said NJCAA Beach Volleyball Committee Chair Marci Henry.

Currently, Beach Volleyball at Coastal Alabama operates as a club program, but the experience in Huntsville underscores the program's upward trajectory. The college is actively exploring the possibility of elevating beach volleyball to a fully sanctioned sport in the coming seasons.

With a strong debut performance and national exposure now under their belt, the Coyotes return home with momentum and a clear vision for the future of beach volleyball at Coastal Alabama - North in Brewton.