Thirty-two Bearcats gathered at the District Office beach volleyball courts on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025 spending four hours of their weekend covered in sand and competing in the Beach Volleyball club’s first tournament. With 16 two-person teams, pools were divided into skill levels and brackets were created, setting up a sure-to-be competitive atmosphere on the sunny November day.
After an intense day of sand, setting, and serves, senior Kate Harrington and club advisor Daniel Diaz emerged victorious, winning a signed volleyball and bragging rights.
The Beach Volleyball club is a new addition this fall, originally founded by junior Nolen Burr as a way for male volleyball players to play on the beach courts, due to there not being a Boys Beach Volleyball team at PRHS. Now, the club hosts co-ed volleyball practices and tournaments weekly, bringing together experienced volleyball players and curious beginners to have fun.
The club meets every Tuesday during lunch in advisor Diaz’s room 306, with president Burr, vice-president Kaile’a Stoltzfus, treasurer Joey Deliema, and secretary Kingston Anguiano present to lead. In these meetings, members sign in, discussing when their next practice at the courts will happen and organizing tournament logistics. These weekend or weekday sessions typically draw 10+ people to simply match up and play laid-back 2 on 2 games to unwind.
Their most recent tournament included more planning and organization for the leaders who pushed to get as many people to play,
“It was really just to kind of jumpstart the club as much as we can, just to get people interested,” Burr said. “After the tournament, we did get a few people to start showing up to weekly practices pretty consistently.”
Beyond the draw of improving volleyball skills and practicing with other dedicated students, the club also serves as an escape from busy life, especially for those with large families or intense schoolwork.
“The best part of the club is just getting away from school and family and having fun with friends,” Burr said.
This opportunity to connect with others while being productive draws many Bearcats in.
In the future, Burr hopes the club will continue to expand and gather people from all different sports backgrounds, not limited to just volleyball and beach. backgrounds, not limited to just volleyball and beach. Their second tournament was Christmas-themed and took place on Sunday, Dec. 7, so show up to the next meeting to participate in the next one!
