Northwest Shoals Community College’s Patriots athletic director Taylor Franks announced July 9 the college will add women’s volleyball for the 2025 fall semester.

“We are thrilled to add volleyball to our cross country teams on the Phil Campbell campus,” said NWSCC president Dr. Jeff Goodwin. “We look forward to hosting matches on campus and have our tremendous community come and support them.”

The arrival of Patriot volleyball on the Phil Campbell campus this fall and of the gym’s renovation will mark the completion of the first phase of renovations on the Phil Campbell campus. The gym renovation is scheduled to finish by December of 2024. The volleyball team will join the four other Patriot athletic teams – baseball, men’s cross country, women’s cross country and softball, in the Alabama Community College Conference.

The Patriots have not competed in women’s volleyball since fall 2010. The search for a head volleyball coach is underway. Applications can be completed at https://nwscc.edu/college-departments/humanresources/.

According to Franks, volleyball has a history of being very successful at Northwest Shoals.

“Volleyball is popular in our state, and we have proven that we can compete at the highest level,” Franks explained. “We have six ACCC volleyball state championships to our credit, and with the talent in our area, I truly believe we can get back to that level. However, more important than championships, we are looking forward to welcoming and nurturing student athletes that truly understand what it means to be a part of the Patriot family and a community that wants to help each other be successful in life.”

The Patriot volleyball team will consist of 14 scholarship student athletes, and walk-on opportunities will be determined by the coach.