KNOXVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 29, 2025 – The University of South Florida volleyball team battled in front of more than 7,600 fans at the Food City Center but came up short in a 3-0 decision (25-13, 25-14, 25-17) against Tennessee on Friday night. With the result, the Bulls move to 0-2 on the season.

South Florida showed flashes of momentum throughout the match, including a 7-6 opening-set stretch highlighted by kills from Ally Cavanaugh and Arianna Beckham, but the Lady Vols' size and efficiency at the net made it difficult for the Bulls to sustain rallies.

Cavanaugh paced the Bulls with eight kills, while Beckham added seven on a .533 clip to lead USF's offensive effort. Addy Brus contributed five kills and a service ace, and Raegan Richardson chipped in two blocks at the net.

Defensively, libero Samiha Foster collected 18 receptions and seven digs, while Miya Thomas added six digs to help steady the back row. The Bulls produced 5.0 total team blocks, led by Iyanna Garvin and Cavanaugh, combining on a key stuff in the first set.

Tennessee, however, controlled the tempo with 14.0 total blocks and a .284 team hitting percentage.

Up Next

The Bulls will return to Tampa for a three-match home stand, starting with No. 16 Florida Gators on Tuesday, September 2, inside the Yuengling Center. The match will be streamed on ESPN+ and will start at 6 p.m. The first 500 fans will receive a 2024 American Conference Regular Season Championship rally towel.   

Tickets

Fans can purchase women's volleyball tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls or at USFBullsTix.com. The 2025 Olympic Pass can be purchased here.

Follow

Be sure to follow USF women's volleyball on social media (X / Instagram / Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. 

About USF Volleyball

Head coach Jolene Shepardson enters her sixth season at the helm of her alma mater in 2025. Named head coach on January 8, 2020, Shepardson led the Bulls to a conference championship and the program's last NCAA tournament appearance as a student-athlete in 2002. South Florida won the 2024 AAC regular-season title, earning Jolene Shepardson her first Coach of the Year Honor. In 2023, the Bulls won the AAC East Division title, made a postseason appearance in the NIVC, won three matches, and advanced to the Fab Four to mark the longest postseason run in program history. South Florida Volleyball has won eight Player of the Year honors, most recently in Maria Clara Andrade in 2024. The Bulls have also had four Setter of the Year honors, most recently in Caroline Dykes in 2024. South Florida has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances and won 13 conference titles since its inception in 1972. The Bulls play in The Corral (1,000), located adjacent to the Yuengling Center on the USF campus in Tampa.

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