In 2012, Charleston was one of 15 teams in the nation to establish a beach volleyball team. The Cougars have been successful in the beach volleyball arena, qualifying for the first AVCA National Championship in 2012, finishing fourth. Charleston also qualified a duo for the 2015 AVCA National Championship in 2015, finishing fourth. In the 2016 season, with the NCAA sponsoring an official national championship for the first time, the Cougars competed as an independent. For the 2017 season, Charleston beach volleyball became a member of the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association. For the 2021 season, they became a member of the ASUN Conference, and moved from there to the Sun Belt Conference for the 2023 season.
