The TCU Beach Volleyball program is using its recent success to strengthen its recruiting process.

The team held its annual ‘Purple and White scrimmage’ Saturday afternoon. The scrimmage is the final preseason event before the team’s season starts next week.

Coach Hector Gutierrez hopes that events like this will help build a sense of community and improve recruiting.

“They get a chance to see what it is like on game day,” Gutierrez said.

Fans and recruits watched as players competed in an inter-squad, bracket-style tournament. Recruits also got a chance to mingle with players and learn more about what drew players to a small school like TCU.

The team is coming off its most successful season, setting a school record with 18 wins. The Costal Collegiate Sports Association recently announced that TCU will be joining the conference at the start of the 2019 season.

These recent milestones make TCU a more attractive destination for recruits. New players are excited for the opportunity to be a part of a quickly growing program.

“Just being able to build it ourselves and be a part of that building is really important,” first-year Jordan Westendorff said.

The program hopes to make a push for its first NCAA tournament appearance. Only the top eight teams in the nation make the tournament. The Horned Frogs finished last season ranked No. 13, their best finish in program history.

The 2018 season will start Feb. 24 at home as the team hosts the ‘Horned Frog Challenge’ tournament. It will be one of the only two regular-season events the team will host this season.