TAMPA, Sept. 2, 2025 – The University of South Florida volleyball team turned in a gritty performance on Tuesday night at the Yuengling Center, battling in front of 2,467 fans before falling to in-state rival No. 12-ranked Florida, 3-1 (18-25, 25-17, 20-25, 24-26).

The Bulls (0-3) found themselves in an early hole after Florida used a late first-set run to grab the opener, 25-18. South Florida quickly answered in the second, surging to a 19-8 lead behind aggressive serving and a stout blocking presence. The Bulls out-hit the Gators .444 to .094 in the set and closed out a commanding 25-17 victory to even the match at 1-1.

Momentum swung back and forth in the third, with the teams trading long rallies and momentum shifts. Florida managed to pull away late, using a decisive block and timely serving to take the frame, 25-20, and regain control of the match.

The fourth set proved to be the most dramatic of the night. South Florida erased multiple deficits and fought off match points to tie the score at 24-24, keeping the Yuengling Center crowd on its feet. Florida, however, managed the final two points to secure the narrow 26-24 win and close out the match.

Notables

• Maria Clara Andrade led the Bulls with 23 kills, five from tying her career-high, and three solo blocks.
• Arianna Beckham followed offensively with 14 kills.
• Raegan Richardson and Sarah White posted 24 assists each.
• Iyanna Garvin led the Bulls with four total blocks.
• Addy Brus recorded her first solo block as a Bull. 

Up Next

The Bulls will stay home for the South Florida Invitational, where they will welcome the Florida State Seminoles and the South Carolina Gamecocks this Friday and Sunday. The Bulls will start the weekend with the Seminoles on Friday, Sept. 5, in the Yuengling Center. The match is set for 6 p.m. South Florida will close out the weekend with South Carolina on Sunday, Sept. 7, with their first match in the Corral.
 

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.

- #GoBulls –