NCAA Division II schools have taken the lead on implementing sand volleyball, approving the game as an emerging sport for women beginning in the 2010-11 school year. D-II schools voted 249-13-13 in favor of the legislation at the NCAA Convention in January.

A spring sport, sand volleyball will be played two-on-two. Though specific playing rules have yet to be finalized, it’s likely that schools will field five pairs each, similar to intercollegiate tennis. Individual matches would be scored the same as Olympic beach volleyball—best of three sets, with rally scoring up to 21 in the first two and to 15 in the third. Playing season parameters, financial aid, and scholarship limits are still to be determined.

Sam Cibrone, Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at Saint Leo University, believes the addition of sand volleyball could open up scholarships for more all-around players. “Being able to do everything well in the sport doesn’t always result in a college scholarship to play indoor volleyball,” he says. “With the sand game, though, those 5-foot-8 outside hitters who just aren’t big enough to play at upper NCAA levels indoors can be competitive beach players.”

The NCAA Division I Legislative Council did not approve a similar measure, deciding instead to seek more input. It will vote on the proposal again in late April, when it’s likely to pass.

Holding the “emerging sport” designation means sand volleyball would need just 40 schools—across all divisions—within 10 years to gain championship status and become an official NCAA sponsored sport. Division III has not yet looked at adding the sport.

While few high schools currently offer the game, Tom Teeters, Head Girls’ Volleyball Coach at Northville (Mich.) High School, thinks it would be viable.

“Sand volleyball is not an expensive sport to sponsor,” he says. “You could even have co-ed doubles teams. It’s the perfect sport for high schools to teach men and women to work together, while being competitive.”