JOURNAL SPORTS
LSU Shreveport plans to launch a varsity women’s volleyball program, set to begin competition in Fall 2026, the school announced Monday.
This addition marks the first time in university history that LSUS will sponsor the sport, expanding opportunities for student-athletes and strengthening the department’s footprint within the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
“We are thrilled to announce the addition of women’s volleyball at LSUS. This growth reflects our continued commitment to expanding opportunities for female student-athletes and strengthening the overall university goal of creating more on-campus activity,” said LSU Shreveport athletic director Lucas Morgan. “We look forward to building a team that will represent our university with excellence both on the court and in the classroom. This is a massive step forward for Pilot Athletics.”
The Pilots will play their home matches inside The Dock, joining the six other Red River Athletic Conference institutions currently sponsoring volleyball. The addition aligns with nationwide momentum, as volleyball continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, officials said.
“With the many successes of LSU Shreveport athletics, and the rapid growth in our on-campus enrollment, LSUS has decided to add women’s volleyball,” said Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith. “This will add one more exciting sport to our champion athletics portfolio.”
According to the Sports Planning Guide, volleyball participation at the school level remains exceptionally strong. Data from the NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey shows that volleyball ranks as the number one girls’ team participatory sport in both high school and college, reflecting both sustained popularity and the sport’s appeal to student-athletes across the country.
The regional appeal for volleyball in Northwest Louisiana is particularly strong. There are currently 27 high school teams in the 10-parish area of Northwest Louisiana, a number that has significantly grown in the last decade, indicating strong local interest and player development. Additionally, volleyball-rich areas of East Texas, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans are easily accessible, providing LSUS with a broad recruitment base within driving distance, officials said.
LSUS plans to hire the first head coach in program history by Jan. 1. The coaching staff will also include an assistant coach and graduate assistant.
Women’s volleyball is LSUS’s seventh varsity sport, joining men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, baseball, and tennis as a member of the NAIA. LSUS also sponsors three club sports (Olympic weightlifting, bass fishing, Esports).