USF Beach Volleyball Set to Compete at AVCA National Championships and UAB Tournament
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The University of South Florida beach volleyball team is gearing up for a pivotal week, splitting its efforts between the 2025 AVCA Beach National Championships in Huntsville, Alabama, and the UAB Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama, as it concludes its fall season.The Bulls will be represented at the national championship by the duo of Abigail Lagemann and Josephine Sek.
National Championship Bid for Lagemann and Sek
The women’s pairs national championship, scheduled for Friday through sunday at John Hunt Park, will feature a competitive 64-pair bracket without preliminary pool play. Lagemann and Sek are slated to begin their tournament journey against Arizona State University on Friday at 8 a.m. ET. This event will showcase a field of elite programs, including Cal Poly, Stanford, USC, Long Beach State, UCLA, TCU, Loyola Marymount, Texas, Florida State, California, North Florida, Stetson, LSU, Washington, and Hawaii – many of whom were highly ranked in last season’s AVCA Collegiate Beach Final Poll. Teams secured their bids based on performance throughout spring 2025, recent qualifying events, and at-large selections.
Recent Competition Prepares Bulls for Championship Run
Prior to the national championship, USF athletes gained valuable experience in the West Qualification Bid division competition. Josephine sek, paired with Zoey Mitchell, demonstrated resilience against formidable opponents, pushing both No. 3 UCLA and Pepperdine to decisive third sets, with each match decided by a mere two points. They opened competition against Boise State, ultimately falling 13-15 in a closely contested match.
Simultaneously occurring, Abigail Lagemann, competing alongside Morgan Anderson, also showcased their competitive spirit, extending Boise State’s second-ranked pair (receiving votes for national ranking) to a third set, narrowly losing 13-15. The duo also faced nationally ranked Florida State (no. 8) and Long Beach State (No. 10), and also Saint Mary’s, were they fought hard in a frist set that ended 21-19.
According to team reports, Lagemann and Sek are leveraging these hard-fought matches as readiness for the challenges ahead at the National Championships.
Dual Competition Strategy
While Lagemann and Sek compete in Huntsville, the remainder of the USF team will participate in the UAB Tournament in Birmingham. This strategic split allows the program to maximize competitive opportunities and continue its development on the national stage. A senior official stated that “competing across two locations this weekend represents an crucial opportunity for South Florida’s young program to continue developing against top-level collegiate competition.”
Building a Championship Foundation at USF
The University of South Florida Beach Volleyball program, established as the university’s 21st varsity sport, is rapidly ascending in the collegiate ranks. The program is led by Head Coach Pri Piantadosi-Lima, appointed on June 6, 2023. Coach Pri is a nationally recognized leader in the sport, currently serving as the head coach of the U.S. Beach National Team Development Program and having been honored as the 2022 USA Volleyball Female junior Coach of the Year. Prior to joining USF,she successfully guided Eckerd College to its first AVCA national championship and two consecutive NCAA championship podium finishes.
USF Beach Volleyball will officially compete as a member of Conference USA beginning with the 2025-26 season. The Bulls are focused on building a championship foundation through elite competition, a strong team culture, and dedicated player development.
Stay up-to-date with the latest information on USF Beach Volleyball by following the program on X, Instagram, and Facebook. – #GoBulls –
