ORLANDO — The University of Tampa secured the No. 1 seed for the 2026 Sunshine State Conference Beach Volleyball Championship, finishing the regular season at 16-9 and undefeated against SSC opponents. The Spartans enter the postseason as the highest‑ranked Division II beach volleyball program, earning a first‑round bye and a direct path into the winner’s bracket semifinal.
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Tournament seeding was determined by TruVolley’s latest Collegiate Beach Volleyball rankings released April 6. Tampa’s only losses came against nationally ranked non‑conference opponents, reinforcing their status as the SSC’s most consistent and complete team.
Tournament Format Set for April 10–11 at Saint Leo
The second‑ever SSC Beach Volleyball Championship will take place April 10–11 at Saint Leo University’s five‑court beach complex adjacent to the Saint Leo Tennis Center. The event follows a double‑elimination format, with the winner’s‑bracket finalist needing just one victory in the championship match. All contests will be played to a decision.
Saint Leo’s setup provides a centralized layout for simultaneous matches, creating a fast‑moving bracket and a strong environment for teams and spectators.
SSC Seeds and First‑Round Matchups
Palm Beach Atlantic claimed the No. 2 seed with a 16‑12 record, dropping only two conference matches — both to Tampa. Like the Spartans, the Sailfish also receive a first‑round bye.
Saint Leo earned the No. 3 seed and will open against No. 6 Barry. The Lions finished 18‑5 and swept Barry 3‑0 in all three meetings this season.
Florida Southern enters as the No. 4 seed and will face No. 5 Eckerd. The Mocs went 15‑8, while Eckerd finished 16‑12. Florida Southern won both regular‑season matchups between the teams.
Winners of the 3‑6 and 4‑5 matchups advance to face Palm Beach Atlantic and Tampa, respectively.
National Postseason Opportunities Await SSC Programs
Several SSC teams may earn invitations to national postseason events. The National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Tournament will be held May 1–3 at Gulf Place Beach in Gulf Shores, Alabama. The AVCA Small College Beach Volleyball Championships follow April 17–19 at Gulf Shores Public Beach.
Tampa, already positioned as the top Division II program, is expected to be a strong candidate for national postseason play.
