USF Is Getting a New Beach Volleyball Home
Beach volleyball at University of South Florida just got a serious upgrade.
USF Athletics announced plans for a brand-new six-court beach volleyball facility that will be built inside the Tampa General Hospital Athletics District on campus. Instead of playing off-site long term, the Bulls are getting a true home base — right next to the track and field stadium and the new tennis facility.
What’s Being Built?
Think more than just sand.
The new space will include:
- Six lighted courts
- A large digital scoreboard
- A full sound system to bring some real energy on match days
The scoreboard will carry the name of Steve and Teresa Oscher, recognizing a major gift that helped move the project forward. The goal is to have the facility ready to host competition next season.
For a program that’s just kicking off its first varsity year, that’s a big deal.
A Program Starting From Scratch
Head coach Pri Piantadosi-Lima has been building this thing from the ground up since she was hired in 2023. That meant developing the roster, organizing training, and basically laying the foundation for what Bulls beach volleyball would become.
Before USF, she founded Optimum Beach in St. Petersburg, which was named USA Volleyball’s Beach Club of the Year in 2022. She also earned USA Volleyball’s Female Junior Coach of the Year honors that same year. On top of that, she had a 17-year professional playing career with multiple tour championships in the U.S. and South America.
In short, she knows the game — and she’s not aiming small. The vision is national recognition, not just participation.
Having an on-campus facility gives the team a real identity and a place fans can actually gather around.
First Season Is Here
The Bulls officially open their inaugural season Feb. 20–21 at the Green Wave Invitational hosted by Tulane University.
They’ll also host two events this spring on Clearwater Beach:
- Stampede Beach Opener (March 27–28)
- Gulf Front Invitational (April 17–18)
That second event will bring in serious competition, including Florida State University, Louisiana State University, and Florida Gulf Coast University — all programs that finished last season ranked in the top 25.
For now, the Bulls are practicing at McDugald Park in Tampa while they wait for their permanent home to be built.
Bigger Picture for USF Athletics
Beach volleyball is the newest addition to a department that now sponsors 21 varsity teams. Since its founding in 1965, USF Athletics has grown into a program with 154 conference titles across 16 sports.
Academically, the Bulls have also put together 22 straight semesters with a combined GPA of 3.0 or higher. More than 800 student-athletes have graduated since 2015.
So while this new facility is about sand and competition, it’s also about growth. It’s another sign that USF is continuing to invest in both its athletes and the overall student experience.
And honestly? A lighted beach volleyball complex on a Tampa campus just feels like it fits.