Around 10 p.m. on Thursday nights, the sand volleyball courts at the Chester E. Peters Recreation Center start filling up. Friends circle up to select teams, volleyballs start flying and the games continue for the next two hours. The only thing that can officially call it a night is midnight, when the lights go out.

The group, connected through St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center, usually draws around 25 students each week. Some come for the volleyball, others for the people, but everyone has a place in the sand — regardless of skill level or how well their team plays.

For Joshua Juenemann, junior in physical education and health, the weekly gathering has come a long way since he first played during a college visit in 2023. A friend brought him along when he was a high school senior, and he had such a good time that he kept coming back after enrolling at K-State.

After his freshman year, though, participation started to fade as fewer people knew about the games. Juenemann decided to help bring the tradition back by creating a GroupMe for St. Isidore’s sand volleyball.

The effort paid off. On Aug. 27, the group reached a high of about 80 people. Now, a typical Thursday still brings around 25 students to the courts, no matter if it’s 70 or 50 degrees outside — even pouring rain can’t keep spirits down.

“It was awesome to see how much the group had grown!” Juenemann said.

But the growth isn’t just about getting more people to play. It’s about giving them a reason to return.

Will Lingenfelser, senior in integrative physiology, started playing last year after an upperclassman invited him to the GroupMe. He was excited to play volleyball but nervous during his first few visits because he didn’t know anyone.

Those nerves didn’t last long.

“From the start, I was shocked by how welcoming the community was,” Lingenfelser said. “I was amazed by how many people truly cared to get to know me and how supportive everyone constantly was.”

Lingenfelser now takes pride in welcoming new players into the group. He said some of his favorite nights are when more than 40 people come together through their shared faith and desire to support one another. 

That welcoming atmosphere also keeps sophomore Jessica Kempf coming back. Kempf, majoring in marketing, first heard about sand volleyball during St. Isidore’s 2025 welcome week, when an announcement after 9:09 p.m. Mass introduced her to a new way to spend Thursday nights.

For Kempf, it’s a chance to play a sport with friends while meeting people she might not otherwise have known. One of her favorite memories was playing with a group she’d never met. They lost almost every game, but that hardly mattered.

“We played for hours, and even though it was super late, it was a blast,” Kempf said.

Kempf sees casual activities like sand volleyball as a chance to build community outside the classroom and away from the usual college routine.

“I think these activities like sand volleyball are super beneficial for the community because they provide other options for college students on Thursday nights rather than going out to Aggieville,” Kempf said.

Joseph Charles, freshman in nutrition and health, learned about the games when Rev. J. Trevor Buster mentioned them during his homily at Mass. He said the people make him want to return every week.

The group has even given itself a name, courtesy of Charles, the Holy Sanders.

“We are the holy sanders looking to get a little sandy,” Charles said.

Not every court memory involves a big play or a close game. One of Charles’ favorites was making a turtle out of the sand and naming it Shelly. It’s the kind of moment that captures what the group is about — spending time together, laughing and not taking the game too seriously.

For Juenemann, the volleyball itself has never been the main attraction.

“Sure, I’m not the greatest at volleyball, but it’s such a blast because of the people who come and make it fun,” Juenemann said.

That attitude is part of the invitation. Players don’t need high school experience or polished skills to join. Juenemann said new people show up almost every time, and he encourages anyone interested to give it a shot.

“And if you think you aren’t good at volleyball, that’s okay too,” Juenemann said. “There’s no way you’ll be worse than me!”

For Lingenfelser, the group has become one of the things he’ll remember most about college. He’s grateful for the community he found and hopes it continues giving other students a place to belong.

“I’m truly blessed to be part of this community, and I hope this group continues so many more people can find a place where they feel they belong,” Lingenfelser said.

Whether they’re meeting new friends, losing nearly every game or building sand turtles, the Holy Sanders keep coming back. Volleyball might bring them to the courts, but the people keep them coming back.