Seventh Annual Fiesta on Siesta Key slated for April 8-10, 2016
Siesta Key, Florida – The Fiesta on Siesta Key, the largest collegiate sand volleyball competition in the U.S., returns for its seventh year to Siesta Key, FL, on April 8-10, 2016.
David Carstenson, Event and Competition Director and founder of the event, comments, “Now that the NCAA has made Beach Volleyball an official sport (number 90 for NCAA), dual competition will be the main focus of this event. The National Championships, held in Gulf Shores, is being conducted for the first time under the NCAA, who will be watching this event for results.”
The format for the 2016 Fiesta on Siesta Key will differ from past years. FIU, FSU and other institutions that have added Beach Volleyball programs are lining up to compete.
“The Fiesta will be a three-day event, with Sand Volleyball programs participating to fulfill their NCAA Sand scheduling requirements,” says Carstenson. “We have added to the mix a small-college National Championship with D2 schools such as Eckerd along with D3 schools and NAIA.”
Schools will also compete in a one-day format in pool play, with the players from some D1 schools mixing with D2 and NAIA schools. State colleges will again be playing match-play to highlight their players.
USA Volleyball will also hold its Florida tryouts for the National HP program on Saturday.
Players in the top five spots from participating beach volleyball programs will compete in true NCAA competition on all three days in April.
Institutions committed to participating in the 7th Annual Fiesta on Siesta Key as of 2/3/2016, are:
- St Leo University
- College of Charleston
- Eckerd College
- Florida Atlantic University
- Florida Gulf Coast University
- Florida International University
- Florida State University
- Texas Christian University
- University Of Tampa
- Jacksonville University
- Pasco-Hernando State College
- South Florida State College
- St. Catherine
- Nova University
- University of South Carolina
- Principia College
- Missouri Baptist University
- St. Petersburg College
- St Thomas University
- State College of Florida
- Stetson University
- Florida Southern College
- University of Alabama-Birmingham
- Grand Canyon University
- University of Louisiana-Monroe
- University of North Florida
- University of NC Wilmington
- Palm Beach Atlantic University
- Warner University
- Webber International University
- Lynn University
- HCC
- Polk State College
- Palm Beach State
- Eastern State College
- St Johns State College
FIESTA ON SIESTA KEY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS (ALL TIMES EASTERN)
Friday, April 8, 2016
NCAA Sand Dual Matches 12noon-5pm
Open courts 2pm-Dusk
Individual Team Practices Times T.B.D.
Saturday, April 9, 2016
Fiesta on Siesta Key
Dual Play commences for Varsity Sand schools 8:30am
Fiesta on Siesta play-match play pool play 10am
Small College National Championships 11am
Play-Offs begin Approx. 2pm
USA Volleyball HP National Team Tryouts 9am-1pm 2-6pm
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Dual-play NCAA Sand Programs 8:30am
Open fun play for all others 9am
– www.fiestaonsiestakey.com –
