TAMPA, Sep. 24, 2025 – The University of South Florida volleyball team opened American Conference play on a high note Wednesday night, defeating Florida Atlantic 3–1 inside the Corral.

The Bulls (5-7, 1-0 American) defeated the Owls (9-5, 0-1 American) with scores of 21-25, 26-16, 25-23, and 25-21.

 
The night began with the Owls taking advantage of a few early USF miscues to grab momentum in the first set. South Florida responded quickly in the second, finding rhythm on both sides of the ball and using a decisive mid-set run to even the match with a commanding 25–16 finish.
 
The third set proved to be the turning point. Neither team led by more than three points, but the Bulls delivered in the closing moments, capitalizing on timely plays to edge the Owls, 25–23, and take a 2–1 lead in the match.
 
In the fourth, South Florida maintained control with steady execution, building an early cushion and fending off multiple FAU rallies. A composed finish secured the set, 25–21, and clinched the Bulls' first conference victory of the season.
 
Notables

• Addy Brus set a season-high of 18 kills in the match. It's her sixth match this season with double-digit kills.
• Maria Clara Andrade and Arianna Beckham also produced double-digit kill performances. Andrade had 20 while Beckham had 14.
• Raegan Richardson produced her eighth multi-ace match of the season and her fourth in a row.
• In the last four matches, Richardson has served 10 aces.
• Andrade, Miya Thomas, and Samiha Foster registered 10+ digs. Andrade led with 15, while Foster had 14, and Thomas produced 10.
• This is the third straight season the Bulls have won their conference opener.

Up Next
The Bulls will continue conference play and welcome the East Carolina Pirates to the Corral on Friday, September 26. The first serve is set for 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.
 
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.