Beach volleyball with more players, the most widely played version of the game, and the only one contested at an elite level, has only two players per team. Beach volleyball grew in popularity in the United States during the Great Depression in the 1930s as it was an inexpensive activity. The sport also began to appear in Europe during this time. By the 1940s, doubles tournaments were being played on the beaches of Santa Monica for trophies. In 1948 the first tournament to offer a prize was held in Los Angeles, California. It awarded the best teams with a case of Pepsi.
Georgia State Panthers women's beach volleyball Georgia State Panthers women's beach volleyball The Georgia State Panthers women's beach volleyball team represents Georgia State University in the sport of beach volleyball. The Panthers compete in NCAA Division I as a member of the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA). The Panthers play their home matches at the GSU Sand Volleyball Complex on the university's Atlanta campus, and are currently led by head coach Beth Van Fleet. With the emergence of football at Georgia State University, due to Title IX scholarship restrictions, it was necessary for GSU to increase the amount of women's scholarships available in their athletic program