CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Austin Peay beach volleyball team just wrapped up its 2026 season. If you’re not familiar with the beach volleyball team at Austin Peay, you should know that this 2026 season represented a massive turnaround for the program.
In 2025, the team finished with a record of just 3-22. It was a tough year that was capped off by a month-long long losing streak. However, the 2025 season was Michael Hobson’s first as the head coach at Austin Peay, and growing pains are expected in any sport.
After the 2025 season concluded, Hobson was optimistic that things would improve in 2026. The coach added eight new players to the roster, including four freshmen, and expectations were higher. Hobson’s team delivered, and perhaps even exceeded expectations, finishing with a 14-19 record. The team tied its 2025 full season win total in the first weekend of the 2026 season and sported a fantastic 8-4 record at home.
Coach Hobson on his team’s turnaround
Hobson has had success at previous stops, including Louisiana Monroe and Seattle, and he has now breathed life into the Governors’ program as well.
“The turnaround for our program is the result of the commitment and support we have received from everyone who is involved,” said Hobson. “Starting with President (Michael) Licari and Jordan (Harmon), they give us amazing opportunities to compete for Austin Peay. We thought we could accomplish something special with hard work, and that’s exactly what this team did.”
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Before the hiring of Hobson, the beach volleyball and indoor volleyball teams at Austin Peay shared a roster and coaching staff. 2025 was the first year of the change, so Hobson essentially started from the ground up.
“We set out to earn the respect of our peers in the sport and even our own community,” Hobson said. “And, through our hard work, we were able to accomplish that. Sometimes, goals can be achieved by just controlling what we can control.”
The Govs ultimately dropped their first two games in the ASUN Tournament, ending their season, but that doesn’t take away from the massive improvement overall.
“This group is very special, and they are leaving a legacy,” said the head coach. “They are laying the groundwork for the others who join to come and accomplish things that have never been accomplished in program history.”
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