Louisville, Ky. – University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Beach Volleyball Head Coach Darin Van Horn was named to the AVCA Thirty Under 30 Beach Award list. The AVCA announced the recipients on Wednesday afternoon.

"It is an honor to be given this award in such a fast progressing sport," said Van Horn. "There are many people trying to positively impact and develop opportunities for beach volleyball. To be recognized means a lot."

Van Horn is in his third year as the beach head coach after starting the program in 2020. This season, the Mocs have already eclipsed multiple program firsts. The team will finish with an above .500 record for the first time in program history after concluding the regular season with a 16-12 mark. Additionally, a Chattanooga pair has been named the Ohio Valley Conference Beach Volleyball Pair of the Week three times, also the most in a single season.

Last season, Van Horn and assistant coach Juliana Van Horn were tabbed OVC Co-Coaching Staff of the Year. In addition to his head coaching duties, Darin has been an assistant coach for the Mocs' indoor program for the last seven seasons. He also is a part of the AVCA Collegiate Beach Coaches Top-20 Poll voters and will join the AVCA All-American Committee this year.

"My goal has been to provide more opportunities for young beach volleyball athletes while developing a competitive program," Van Horn added. "I believe we have been able to do that so far."  

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