CONWAY – The 2019 campaign begins tomorrow morning for the University of Central Arkansas beach volleyball team who is looking to take the next step in the young program's evolution to becoming one of the premier programs in the country.

In its third year of existence all under head coach Jeni Jones Chatman, the Beach Bears program will mix some established veterans with talented newcomers as they look to navigate the most difficult schedule in program history.

"We are certainly excited to get things started and finally get to play other competition," said head coach Jones Chatman. "This team is different because we have graduated most everyone, with the exception of a few, that had any real experience on the court. Having said that, I feel like we are significantly better with our beach volleyball I.Q. than we have been the last couple years. I am excited about the way we play the game and our knowledge of the game this season."

THE KEY RETURNERS
Central Arkansas returns seven student-athletes from last year's squad, six of which saw significant playing time and all of whom will play a vital role in the success of the 2019 group. Haley Tippett, Kimmy Schnars Jr., Jessica Martinez, Colene Hamilton, Mackenzie Dear and Aly Brinkley round out the returning contributors for UCA. Brittany Whiting was a member of the '18 team, but did not compete.

Tippett and Hamilton are no strangers to elite competition and for now will lock down the No. 1 pairing. With different partners a season ago, the duo combined for a 35-10 record, one of the highest returning winning percentages in the country.

Schnars Jr. posted a 14-5 record last season in 19 matches, the fourth-highest winning ratio on the squad followed closely by Dear's 15-6 mark. Martinez and Brinkley will bring a much needed veteran presence as nine new faces.

"Haley and Colene were probably our two most productive players last season in terms of getting points for our team," Jones Chatman said. "They have each been playing beach for four-straight years now so they are probably our most experienced duo.

"Mackenzie has made such a big jump from last year to this year in terms of her progression and how much better she is now. She wants to get better every single day. Jessica and Aly have grown a lot mentally with their knowledge of the game and how they think plays are developing. I am excited for the pairs we have put together and am looking forward to seeing what they can do."

THE WHO'S WHO OF NEW

There are eight fresh faces that will don the purple and gray this season. Here is a rundown of the newcomers for 2019:

Kelsie Sager

Redshirt freshman and Wichita Fall, Texas native. Was named Texas Nacy Academic Athlete of the Year in 2017...Was a 5A UIL Academic All-State Selection in 2016...Named the Rider High School Most Valuable Player in 2015 and 2016...Selected as a member of the Texas 5A All-State Team...Named District Server of the Year (2015) and District Offensive Most Valuable Player (2016) for the Raiders.

Hailey Weber

Freshman from Conway…Selected to the 2017 All-State Tournament Team and 2017 All-Conference Team for Conway High School...Named All-Conference Honorable Mention in 2016...Led the Wampus Cats to the 2015, 2016 and 2017 Conference Championships.

Kellen Dunn

No stranger to UCA athletics as a four-year member of the UCA indoor team…2014-15 Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All-State honoree...Four-time UIL District 15-5A Academic All-District Honoree (2011-15)...2014-15 UIL District 14-6A All-District First Team...2014-15 "Big Dawg" Outstanding Achievement Award in memory of Coach Jason Landers...named UIL District 15-5A All-District First Team, Bowie High Team MVP and Offensive MVP during 2013-14 season...Four-year varsity letterman...three-time team captain (2012-15).

Kayla Cook

Freshman out of Heath, Texas…Was selected First Team All-District in 2016 and 2017 for Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas...Named Academic All-District for three consecutive years from 2015-2017...Chosen as the Freshman Most Valuable Player for the Hawks in 2014...Guided RHHS to district championships and bi-district championships from 2015-2017.

Elleson Dunagin

Senior who will bring a veteran presence from Rogers, Ark…Three-time All-Conference and All-State honoree…Earned MaxPreps Player of the Week and Player of the Month awards...ArkansasPreps Sophomore Newcomer of the Year honoree...Three-time Heritage High School varsity MVP...Current Heritage High School record-holder in kills, attack percentage, and service aces.

Kelly Douglas

Another indoor specialist…a Junior from St. Louis, Mo…Earned All-Conference First Team Honors during junior (2014) and senior (2015) seasons...Two-Time All-Distirct Second Team honors (2014 & 2015)...led Parkway West High School in kills (216) and serve receptions (329), and ranked second in digs (322).

Annie Berry

Little Rock native….Selected First Team All-Conference in 2016 for the Pulaski Academy Bruins in Little Rock...Named to the 2016 All-State Team and was chosen to play in the 2017 All-Star game...Was a member of the National Honor Society.

Faith Hasness

Freshman from Spring Branch, Texas…Was selected Captain, Most Valuable Player, First Team All-District, Academic All-State and Tex-Fest All-State her senior season at Canyon Lake High School in Fischer, Texas...Guided the Hawks to the District 27 4A Championship in 2015...Led CLHS to the bi-district championship for three consecutive years from 2015-2017.

"While we may be missing some of the height we have had in the past, we make up for it in athleticism," Jones Chatman said. "Some of the new faces we have this year will bring things to the table from an athleticism stand point that we haven't had before."

HIT THE BEACH

A daunting schedule awaits the Bears who are looking to build on their 15-9 record from a year ago. UCA will open with the Austin Peay Tournament where they will take on the Governors as well as Jacksonville State and Southern Miss.

The Fight in the Fort will pit some of the nation's elite programs against each in Forth Worth, Texas March 23-24. The Bears will tackle Cal Poly, host-TCU and Southland-foe Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

UCA will open its home slate with a dual doubleheader against UT Martin March 28. The Bears will return to the road for the ULM Warhawk Beach Challenge April 5-6, a three-match competition against UL Monroe, Houston Baptist and New Orleans.

The 2019 UCA Beach Tournament will consist of Houston Baptist and Ottawa University and will take place at the Bear Beach Sand Courts April 12-13. The following weekend the Bears will conclude their regular season schedule with the SLC Conference Showcase against the Southland's top talent in New Orleans, La.

WHERE TO START

Central Arkansas will begin its season with a pair of matches tomorrow morning at the Austin Peay Beach Volleyball Tournament in Clarksville, Tenn. The Bears and Gamecocks will battle it out at 8 a.m. followed by a 2 p.m. showdown with Southern Miss. UCA will conclude its stay in the event with a 12 p.m. match against host-Austin Peay Saturday.

FOLLOW ALONG

For all things UCA beach volleyball, follow us on Twitter @UCABeachVB or @UCASports. You can get the latest photos and updates on our Instagram account: ucabeachvball.