South Carolina Beach Volleyball Begins Big 12 Era at Dolphin Duals

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – South Carolina beach volleyball opens its 2026 spring season in Jacksonville, Florida, for the Dolphin Duals weekend tournament. The Gamecocks will face No. 17 North Florida at 8 a.m. And Florida Gulf Coast at noon on Friday. Saturday’s competition includes matchups against Jacksonville at 10 a.m. And No. 14 Stetson at 3 p.m.

New Era for the Gamecocks

The 2026 season marks a significant transition for South Carolina, with head coach Jose Loiola beginning his first season at the helm. Loiola, a former Olympic standout, previously served as an assistant coach at UCLA, where he was named the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Collegiate Beach Assistant Coach of the Year in 2025 after leading the Bruins to a 30-6 regular season record and a national semifinal appearance.

South Carolina likewise joins the Big 12 Conference this year, alongside Boise State and Florida State, having previously competed in the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association (CCSA).

Returning Players and New Additions

The Gamecocks return 12 players from their 2025 roster, which finished 9-12 overall and 0-2 in conference play and welcome six newcomers – four transfers and two freshmen.

Senior Sadie Nelson is expected to be a key player, having posted an 11-10 record last season with consistent performance across multiple pairings. Junior Evie Ziffer recorded a 10-8 record and was 6-3 when paired with senior VB Trost. Sophomore transfer Brooke Balue, who previously competed at Washington, contributed to UW’s first NCAA Championships appearance with a 17-14 record at the #4 or #5 position.

Additional transfer additions include Annalyse Askew (Arizona State), Grace Travis (Saint Mary’s), and Amelia Taft (LSU).