TAMPA, Fla. – The University of South Florida has stepped into new territory as its first-ever beach volleyball team takes to the sand.
Led by head coach Pri Piantadosi-Lima, a Brazilian native with deep roots in the professional circuit, the Bulls have transitioned from months of intense practice at Tampa’s McDugald Park to their first competitive season.
For Piantadosi-Lima, the role is a long-held ambition realized, fueled by a desire to build a program from scratch in a city she already calls home.
“To do this with these student-athletes is going to be so sweet. They’re invested. They understand alignment, being uncomfortable, and putting the program’s goals ahead of personal feelings. That’s rare. I know this is going to be a special group. It’s going to be a special year,” Piantadosi-Lima said to USF Athletics.
The roster features a mix of international talent and experienced transfers drawn to the unique “blank slate” of a first-year program.
READ: Self-Inflicted Errors Hurt USF Against Michigan, But Mindy McCord “Feeling Good” About Her Team
Sophomore Sasha Pasloski and graduate student Josephine Sek, both hailing from Canada, noted that the opportunity to play year-round in Florida’s climate was a major draw, alongside the leadership style of Piantadosi-Lima.
The coach emphasizes a holistic approach to the sport, requiring players to balance their athletic performance with strict attention to academics, nutrition, and personal growth.
The University of South Florida beach volleyball team kicked-off its inaugural weekend Saturday at the Green Wave Invitational, defeating Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 3–2, and No. 20 Tulane, 3–2, at the White Sands Volleyball Courts in New Orleans, La. South Florida (3–1) secured its first multiple-win day in program history and recorded its first win over a ranked opponent, defeating No. 20 Tulane in its Conference USA debut.
In the matchup against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, the Bulls rallied by winning three of the final four courts to secure the dual.
Local fans will have multiple opportunities to support the new team, with a matchup at the University of Tampa on March 6- 7 and home events scheduled for March 27-28 and April 17-18.
USF will test its mettle against established Top 25 programs, including Florida State and LSU. Home matches will be held on courts near Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, on Clearwater Beach, and the university has announced that public admission will be free.
2026 USF Beach Volleyball Inaugural Season Schedule
- February 20–21: at Tulane – New Orleans, La.
- February 27–28: at Florida State – Tallahassee, Fla.
- March 6–7: at University of Tampa – Tampa, Fla.
- March 13–14: at Coastal Carolina – Conway, S.C.
- March 27–28: Stampede Beach Opener – Clearwater Beach, Fla.
- April 3–4: at Georgia State – Atlanta, Ga.
- April 10–11: at Boise State – Boise, Idaho
- April 17–18: The Gulf Front Invitational – Clearwater Beach, Fla.
- April 23–25: Conference USA Championship – Youngsville, La.
- May 1–3: NCAA Championship – Gulf Shores, Ala.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
