Former Utah Beach Volleyball Player Joins BYU Lacrosse
After the University of Utah shuttered its beach volleyball program in 2025, Londyn Giles pivoted to the BYU lacrosse team.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Volleyball
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Following the University of Utah's decision to discontinue its beach volleyball program in May 2025, former athlete Londyn Giles has transitioned to the lacrosse field at Brigham Young University. Giles officially enrolled at BYU in 2025 after her previous program was cut due to budgetary constraints.
Why it matters
The transition highlights how student-athletes adapt when collegiate programs are eliminated, with Giles leveraging her prior experience in indoor and beach volleyball to master a new sport at a high level. Her successful shift underscores the resilience of athletes seeking to fulfill their athletic ambitions after unexpected program closures.
The University of Utah shuttered its beach volleyball program in May 2025, leaving only 6 players present at the time compared to a standard roster size of approximately 15 to 16 athletes. Giles began her new training regimen early, famously arriving at a pre-tryout clinic by 5 a.m.
The players
Londyn Giles
She is an All-American defender for the BYU women's lacrosse team who has previously competed in indoor and beach volleyball.
Brigham Young University
This private university located in Provo serves as the current home for the women's lacrosse program where Giles now competes.
University of Utah
This public research university in Salt Lake City previously hosted a beach volleyball program before discontinuing it in May 2025.
Northwest Nazarene
This institution is a Christian university where Giles played indoor volleyball during the fall of 2023.
The details
Giles discovered the opportunity to play for the BYU women's lacrosse team via an Instagram announcement and quickly adapted by applying her existing communication skills and ability to read body language. She transitioned to lacrosse to maintain a dedicated athletic obsession after previously competing in indoor volleyball at Northwest Nazarene and beach volleyball at the University of Utah.
Timeline
Londyn Giles graduated from high school in 2023.
Giles played indoor volleyball at Northwest Nazarene in the fall of 2023.
She competed in beach volleyball at the University of Utah in the spring of 2024.
The University of Utah discontinued its beach volleyball program in May 2025.
Giles made the decision to attend BYU on August 10, 2025.
Season Trajectory
The closure of the University of Utah beach volleyball program in 2025 marks a definitive end to that team's competitive history, forcing athletes like Giles to explore new paths. Her move to the BYU lacrosse roster reshapes the team's defensive prospects while demonstrating how sudden roster instability can influence individual collegiate trajectories.
Giles successfully leveraged her background in reading body language from volleyball to earn a spot as an All-American defender on the lacrosse team. Prospective athletes in the area should note that specialized skills from one sport can frequently transfer to roster positions in completely different athletic disciplines.
The takeaway
Giles successfully transitioned to a new sport by applying her existing communication and analytical skills to the rigors of lacrosse. Her story demonstrates how collegiate athletes can successfully pivot their competitive careers when faced with the sudden loss of a program.
Further reading
For more news on local athletic developments, visit Volleyball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BYU Daily Universe.
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