USF beach volleyball joins Conference USA
USF beach volleyball will become a Conference-USA affiliate member in the program’s first season of play.
Being an affiliate member means that USF will compete in the CUSA only in beach volleyball, while still remaining a member of the American Athletic Conference in other sports.
South Florida’s membership in CUSA will be effective July 1, 2025. The Bulls will spend the remainder of this season preparing for their first set of competitive Division I games in the 2025-26 season.
The CUSA has now expanded its beach volleyball membership to 10 schools for the upcoming season, including FIU, Tulane and Florida Atlantic.
Related: USF beach volleyball to begin exhibition play this month
“Competing in Conference USA will elevate our beach volleyball program and provide the student-athletes with competitive opportunities and increased visibility as we work to build a rich tradition of success,” athletic director Michael Kelly said
Beach volleyball is the latest expansion to USF’s athletics program. The program has not yet been certified by the university, a requirement for Division I sports. In September, USF president Rhea Law said the university will soon certify the program.
USF’s first beach volleyball head coach, Pri Piantadosi-Lima was hired in June last year. Piantadosi-Lima is a former professional beach volleyball player and six-time South American champion while representing her home country of Brazil.
She also serves as the head coach of the beach national team development program and was named the USA Volleyball Female Junior Coach of the Year in 2022.
The team will spend the 2024-25 season in training and competing in exhibition matches before starting conference play the following season.
Related: USF announces first head coach of beach volleyball team
The Dallas-based CUSA is currently home to 10 NCAA Division I schools that participate in a wide range of sports including FBS football, basketball and baseball.
“We are eager to collaborate with [South Florida] and its leadership team and are excited about the bright future of this sport within the league’s portfolio,” CUSA Commissioner Judy MacLeod said.
South Florida was a regular member of the CUSA in several sports such as football and basketball, but their time in the conference was different for each of them. The Bulls left for the Big East Conference in 2005.
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