News Summary
Newberry College is expanding its athletic offerings with the introduction of a men’s varsity intercollegiate volleyball program starting in January 2026. The program will be overseen by Kiko Santos, who also coaches the women’s team. This initiative aims to enhance the student-athlete experience and attract a diverse range of students. The decision aligns with trends in collegiate athletics, focusing on inclusivity and the growing interest in men’s volleyball. The college is optimistic about building a competitive team under Santos’s leadership.
Newberry, SC – Newberry College is set to introduce a men’s varsity intercollegiate volleyball program that will begin competition in January 2026. This expansion comes as part of the college’s initiative to broaden its athletic offerings and enhance the student-athlete experience.
The college has appointed Kiko Santos, who is currently the head coach of the women’s volleyball team, to oversee both the men’s and women’s programs in his new role as the Director of Volleyball. This dual responsibility underscores the college’s confidence in Santos’s coaching capabilities and vision for the growth of volleyball at Newberry College.
Newberry College’s Athletics Director, Sean Johnson, has expressed enthusiasm for the addition of the men’s volleyball team. His support, along with that of Dr. Scherrens and Interim President Dr. David Harpool, indicates a collective commitment to fostering a vibrant athletic environment that appeals to a wider range of students and bolsters the overall student-athlete population.
The decision to add men’s volleyball aligns with trends seen across collegiate athletics, where programs are increasingly inclusive and aimed at engaging more male athletes. Newberry College seeks to attract a broader range of students, highlighting the importance of men’s volleyball in achieving this goal.
Kiko Santos, appointed as the women’s volleyball head coach in March 2023, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Having spent 12 years as the head coach at NCAA Division 1 UNC Asheville and an additional three seasons at NCAA Division 2 Barry University, Santos has gathered extensive knowledge in both coaching and player development. His exceptional career as a player also adds significant value to his coaching philosophy; he was a standout setter for the University of Nevada-Reno club team from 1992 to 1996, a team that achieved a notable fifth-place ranking nationally by USA Today.
Santos’s coaching journey extends internationally, encompassing experiences in countries such as Brazil, Iceland, Poland, and Switzerland. His successful stint with the Stjarnan Club team in Iceland resulted in a commendable 7-3 record and a first-place finish in a fall tournament. Additionally, Santos has worked closely with both the men’s and women’s Brazilian national volleyball teams, further solidifying his standing in the volleyball community.
As Newberry College prepares for its inaugural season of men’s volleyball in early January 2026, the emphasis will be on building a competitive and dynamic team. Under Santos’s leadership, the program aims to instill values such as teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship, preparing athletes for success both on and off the court.
This initiative marks a significant step for Newberry College in diversifying its athletics programs and catering to the growing interest in volleyball at the collegiate level. It hopes to provide student-athletes with opportunities to excel in a sport that has seen increasing popularity and participation nationwide.
In summary, the launch of the men’s varsity volleyball program at Newberry College represents a strategic effort to enhance the college’s athletic offerings, foster a sense of community among athletes, and appeal to prospective students. With Kiko Santos at the helm, the college is optimistic about the potential success and growth of this new program in the coming years.
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Additional Resources
- Newberry Observer: Newberry College to Add Men’s Volleyball in 2025-26
- Wikipedia: Volleyball
- Index Journal: Greenwood’s Tim Cox Becomes Eagles’ First Ever Boys Volleyball College Signee
- Google Search: volleyball programs
- Main Street Daily News: Three Newberry Volleyball Players Sign NLI
- Google Scholar: volleyball coaching
- Hendrix Warriors: Brittany Newberry Coaching Profile
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Volleyball
- UCA Sports: John Newberry Coaching Profile
- Google News: Newberry College Athletics
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