USF Athletics Recognizes Exceptional Talent with NCAA Woman of the Year Nominations
TAMPA, SEPT. 26, 2025 – The University of South Florida (USF) has proudly announced that two of its outstanding athletes, Maria Clara Andrade from the women’s volleyball team and Sammie Puisis representing women’s basketball, are among the nominees for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award.
Highlights of Maria Clara Andrade’s Accomplishments
Andrade, who was recently honored as the American Conference Player of the Year, also secured her place as an AVCA All-American in 2024. Her leadership on the court was instrumental in guiding the Bulls to an American Conference regular-season championship. Throughout the season, she amassed a total of 507 points, contributing 453 kills while participating in all 29 matches. Her efforts helped the team finish with a commendable record of 19-10, including an impressive 14-2 in conference play. In addition to her athletic prowess, Andrade also received CSC Academic All-District honors for her academic achievements.
Achievements of Sammie Puisis
Sammie Puisis, a USF graduate, demonstrated remarkable performance on the basketball court, earning American Conference First Team recognition. She ranked fifth nationally for three-pointers made, totaling 106 and averaged 15.2 points per game, alongside 3.4 rebounds. Puisis was pivotal in leading the Bulls to claim the American Conference Tournament title and secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Notable highlights of her season included a stellar 34-point game against Memphis, where she made six three-pointers, and a scoring spree of 28 points during the first round of the NCAA Tournament against No. 5 seed Tennessee. She also shone in the upset victory over No. 9/10 Duke, where she led all scorers with 23 points, earning her recognition as the USBWA National Player of the Week. Her talents were acknowledged with invitations to prestigious events, including the State Farm College 3-Point Championship and the Lily Women’s College All-Star Game.
Upcoming Games and Events
The USF women’s volleyball team, featuring Andrade, will continue their 2025 campaign with a match against ECU at The Corral on Friday at 6 p.m. Meanwhile, the USF women’s basketball team, which features Puisis, will begin their 2025-26 season on Monday, November 3, at the Yuengling Center, taking on FIU with a 6 p.m. tip-off.
About USF Athletics
Founded in 1965, USF Athletics proudly sponsors 21 varsity sports, 20 of which compete at the NCAA Division I level within the American Athletic Conference. Noteworthy additions include women’s lacrosse and beach volleyball. As the Bulls celebrate their 60th season in 2025-26, nearly 500 student-athletes train and compete in the Tampa General Hospital Athletics District, situated on the east end of USF’s Tampa campus.
USF Athletics has achieved a significant milestone, winning 154 conference titles across 16 sports, including 82 men’s titles and 72 women’s titles. Men’s tennis and soccer lead the men’s categories with 20 championships each, while women’s tennis (14) and volleyball (13) highlight the women’s programs. Since joining the American Athletic Conference in 2013, USF has claimed 36 conference team titles.
Academic Excellence
USF student-athletes have consistently demonstrated academic excellence, achieving a remarkable 21 consecutive semesters with a combined GPA of 3.0 or higher, as of spring 2025. Over 800 Bulls have graduated since 2015, underpinning the institution’s commitment to both athletics and education.
Stay Connected with USF Athletics
For ongoing updates and news regarding USF Athletics, visit GoUSFBulls.com. Fans can also follow USF Athletics on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Tickets and Inquiries
For ticket information, call 1-800-GO-BULLS (1-800-462-8557) or email BullsTickets@usf.edu for details on season and single-game tickets. The USF Bulls app, available on both Android and Apple stores, also facilitates ticket and parking purchases. More details can be found at USFBullsTix.com.
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