Women's volleyball team planned for fall 2023 at Warren Wilson

Warren Wilson plans to introduce women's volleyball as a new varsity sport, the college announced June 29. 

“This is an exciting addition and step as we look to continue to grow our department,” Robin Martin-Davis, interim athletic director at Warren Wilson, said in a press release. “We are thankful to have an administration that continues to support the initiatives of Warren Wilson athletics.”

The college has started a nationwide search for a coach to recruit and prepare for a debut competition season in fall 2023. Ideally, the college hopes to have a coach hired in the 2022-23 academic year. 

The creation of a new team comes as the latest development in Warren Wilson's NCAA Division III membership process. The introduction of women's volleyball will help satisfy membership as well as Title IX requirements, according to a statement from the college.

Currently, 433 Division III schools in North Carolina sponsor women's volleyball. Warren Wilson stated that the addition of the sport shows growth in the athletic department while boosting the school's Division III membership profile.

“The popularity of women’s volleyball makes this an exciting addition to the athletics department,” Martin-Davis said.

According to the college, more than 500 high school volleyball programs exist throughout the state. Asheville has two volleyball clubs and "most of" Asheville-area high schools feature girls volleyball.

Warren Wilson seeks to hire as coach someone to oversee all aspects of coaching including team management, recruitment, budgeting and fundraising.

Warren Wilson offers men's and women's basketball, cross-country, lacrosse, cycling, soccer and swimming. The college also offers club sports and intramurals. 

Ezra Maille covers the town of Black Mountain, Montreat and the Swannanoa Valley. Reach him at 828-230-3324 or emaille@blackmountainnews.com. Please support local journalism with access to more breaking news by subscribing.