ATLANTA, Ga. – Missouri State's beach volleyball program will have a conference affiliation for the upcoming 2020 season, with the Bears officially joining the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA) on Friday. MSU will compete at the 2020 CCSA Championship April 17-19 in Huntsville, Ala., at the John Hunt Sand Volleyball Complex.

Jerome P. Rodgers, Commissioner of the CCSA said, "We are delighted to welcome the University of Louisiana Monroe and Missouri State University as our newest conference members and we look forward to their future contributions."

Louisiana Monroe and Missouri State become the 13th and 14th members of CCSA Beach Volleyball. They join current members UAB, College of Charleston, Florida Atlantic, Florida International, Florida State, Georgia State, LSU, South Carolina, Southern Miss, TCU, Tulane and UNCW.

"The CCSA is a strong conference and gives Missouri State a platform for national recognition," said MSU head coach Terri Del Conte. "We are excited for the chance to play high-profile teams and that our student-athletes have the opportunity to be spotlighted for their accomplishments."

Now in its third season, MSU's beach program went 13-11 last season and owns a 20-21 overall record with 10 all-time matches against current CCSA membership and a victory over Tulane last season.

"I'm excited for our team to have a conference affiliation moving forward," added Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. "That certainly helps with their identity and gives them something tangible to play for every year. I know our student-athlete experience will certainly be enhanced with this move."

The 2020 season will mark the fifth season of beach volleyball for the CCSA as it added the sport in the summer of 2015, its first sport addition since formation of the league in 2008. The CCSA was one of only five conferences to sponsor vbeach volleyball in its first year as an NCAA sport in 2016.