DALLAS – Conference USA has added the University of South Florida as an affiliate member in beach volleyball for the 2025-26 season. The league’s Board of Directors unanimously affirmed the recommendation to extend an invitation for affiliate membership.
 
“We are excited to welcome South Florida as an affiliate member as we continue to elevate our national presence in beach volleyball,” CUSA Commissioner Judy MacLeod said. “We are eager to collaborate with the university and its leadership team and are excited about the bright future of this sport within the league’s portfolio.”
 
The addition of South Florida increases the current league membership to 10 schools for the 2025-26 season, as the Bulls join FIU, Florida Atlantic, Jax State, Missouri State, Sam Houston, Tarleton State, Tulane, UAB and UTEP as members of CUSA.
 
"We are thrilled that our beach volleyball program is joining Conference USA,” said Michael Kelly, USF Vice President for Athletics. “This move represents an exciting opportunity specifically for our beach volleyball student-athletes, coaches, and fans. 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.”
 
USF’s first beach volleyball student-athletes arrived on campus in August 2024 and will spend the 2024-25 academic year training and playing in exhibition matches to prepare for the program’s first year of competition in 2025-26.
 
The Bulls are led by head coach Pri Piantadosi-Lima, a former standout professional beach volleyball player and founder of Optimum Beach, a St. Petersburg-based club program. She’s also a co-founder of the Beach Volleyball Women's Coaches Alliance (BVWCA).