Photo courtesy of USF St. Pete Beach Volleyball Club.
By Kendall Bulkiewicz
The St. Petersburg campus is gearing up for beach volleyball club tryouts on Friday, Sept. 6.
The tryouts will be held at the beach volleyball courts next to the University Student Center, with men’s tryouts scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. and women’s tryouts from 6 to 8 p.m. A makeup day is set for Sunday, Sept. 8, with men’s tryouts from 2 to 4 p.m. and women’s tryouts from 4 to 6 p.m.
All participants should arrive from 15 to 30 minutes early to check in and warm up. Those unable to attend on either date should email the club president Lucas Johnston at johnston157@usf.edu to make arrangements.
To participate, players must complete the 2024-25 club sports waiver and register on BullsConnect.
The club practices four to five days a week and participates in four to five community tournaments each semester, and its members are frequently seen showing their skills both on and off the courts Johnston stated.
Johnston describes his experience as “nothing short of life-altering and eye-opening.” He encourages students to try out, sharing how he was persuaded by his RA to join during his first semester.
“Just the step I took to try out surprised me, and the reward was plentiful. These people have been my support system since day one. They truly make me feel like I belong and have a place on the team and on campus,” Lucas said.
The club participates in tournaments hosted by the Sunshine State Outdoor Volleyball Association (SSOVA), playing at venues like St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach, Treasure Island, Anna Maria Island and Siesta Key. A highlight is the College v. College tournament, scheduled for October 5 and 6 at Siesta Key, where universities like Florida State University, University of Central Florida and University of North Carolina compete for the trophy.
Tripp Tucker, the club’s treasurer, also speaks highly of his time with the team, describing it as “nothing but incredible.” He believes the club offers a great opportunity to enjoy the sport and meet new people.
To help fund these tournaments, the club is hosting a Spikeball tournament fundraiser on Sept. 5. Check-in starts at 4:30 p.m. and the tournament starts at 5:30 p.m. USF students play free with their ID, while non-USF students have a $5 entry fee. Donations are accepted to support the club’s tournament participation and growth.
Alex Leuschen, another club officer, reflects on his growth since joining the club, stating, “I started with very minimal experience and have learned so much throughout the last year I played.” He values the sense of family and camaraderie within the club, saying, “Practice and tournaments are always such a fun time.” Alex looks forward to a successful season and meeting new members at the upcoming tryouts.
Follow the Beach Volleyball Club on Instagram at @southflorida_bvc for updates and to join GroupMe for notifications about tryouts and other events.
