Starting in 2017, beach volleyball will become a sanctioned sport as part of the Sunshine Sports Athletic Conference.

The partnership between the SSAC and USA Volleyball was announced Wednesday on the heels of a sprawling education bill that was passed into law on April 14 by Gov. Rick Scott that allows private and public schools to join other athletic conferences outside the Florida High School Athletic Association without penalty.

“We believe that partnering with the Florida Region of USA Volleyball is a logical choice, as they are the established expert in this sport and will help give the SSAC and its members a great platform to grow beach volleyball," said Stuart Weiss, President of the Sunshine State Athletic Conference.

The league’s spring season will mirror the NCAA requirements for matches and abide by USA Volleyball rules and regulations. Games will consist of a minimum of three pairs of girls per team in matches that will cover the best two out of three matches.

"Since I’ve been down here for eight years, beach volleyball has done nothing but grow," said Bishop Verot coach Jeremy Ridgeo, whose team won its 17th district championship in 18 seasons this fall. "It’s a really good idea. It grows the game. I think it will add a lot to the area."

The SSAC high school beach volleyball championships will be held in April 2017 at Hickory Point Beach located in Tavares, Florida.

"I think schools (in the FHSAA) will consider it," Ridgeo said. "What you will see, I think, is schools waiting for others who will do it. My guess is that top volleyball schools like Bishop Verot, ECS and schools in Collier County will jump on it because it gives girls opportunities.

"It make sense. It gives them opportunities for college scholarships," he added. "That can't be bad."

The Sunshine State Athletic Conference currently offers football and basketball to 29 schools in the state.