University Southern California Trojans
Kristi Tekavec Joins USC Beach Volleyball Staff
July 01, 2026 | Women's Beach Volleyball
The Trojans’ new assistant coach served in a similar role for seven seasons at Florida Atlantic
LOS ANGELES – The USC beach volleyball program has hired Kristi Tekavec to the position of assistant coach, eighth-year head coach Dain Blanton announced on Wednesday, July 1.
Tekavec—a two-time recipient of the AVCA's Thirty Under 30 award—comes to Troy after seven seasons at Florida Atlantic (2019-26) where she served as an assistant coach for six and was promoted to associate head coach in October 2025. Prior to her first coaching appointment, she played indoor volleyball and was a team captain for the Owls (2013-17, redshirt in 2015) and was a Sandy Owl for the beach volleyball program in 2019.
"We are excited to have Kristi join our staff at USC," said Blanton. "She brings a wealth of experience in the box and has had proven success developing beach athletes over the course of her career at FAU. Kristi is committed to producing well-rounded student-athletes and aims to provide her athletes with broad experiences that deliver results in the classroom and on the sand. We feel her coaching style fits our team culture and the goals of our program and can't wait to have her join our team."
With Tekavec on staff, FAU beach volleyball produced four 20-win seasons, made three NCAA championship appearances (2022, '23, '25), won three conference titles (2021, '23, '25), and achieved a program-best No. 8 national ranking in the AVCA coaches' poll in 2022.
"Joining USC is truly an honor," said Tekavec. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this program. I've always believed that championship teams are built on meaningful relationships, intentional athlete development, and a culture that brings out the best in everyone. My hope is to help create transformative experiences that shape our student-athletes not only as competitors, but as leaders and people. I'm excited to grow alongside this incredible staff, invest in our student-athletes, and help continue the championship tradition that makes USC beach volleyball so special. Fight On!"
Tekavec helped guide the Owls to 22 wins in 2026, one shy of matching the program's single season record. In 2025, Florida Atlantic captured the Conference USA crown to earn the program's third berth into the NCAA championship. In 2022, Tekavec's third with the Owls, FAU collected a school-record 23 wins and earned its first win at the NCAA championship to advance to the national quarterfinals. As the No. 8-seed, Florida Atlantic defeated ninth-seeded Stanford, 3-0, in the opening round and ended the season with its best ranking in school history at No. 8 in both the AVCA and CBVB national polls.
While at FAU, Tekavec helped coach four AVCA All-Americans: Erica Brok, Mackenzie Morris, Ashleigh Adams, and Marketa Svozilova. The Owls had four AVCA Top Flight selections, three CUSA Pairs of the Year, three CUSA Freshman of the Year selections, 18 All-CUSA first-team honorees, and 10 CUSA All-Freshman Team players. FAU also earned the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award twice (2023, '25) and had two AVCA National Pair of the Week selections.
Tekavec is active on the AVP pro tour with a career-best fifth-place finish at the 2023 Waupaca Open event with partner Erika Brok. As a collegian, Tekavec played in 91 matches as an outside hitter for the FAU indoor women's volleyball team. She totaled 719 kills, 265 digs, and 82 blocks in her career.
A native of Solon, Ohio, Tekavec graduated from Florida Atlantic with bachelor's degrees in communications studies and sociology in 2017 and received a master's in higher education leadership in 2020.
The Women of Troy (29-12) made their 10th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2026 and reached the quarterfinal round before falling to Florida State. USC finished tied for third in the MPSF with a semifinal finish at the conference championship. Two Trojans—junior Zoey Henson and sophomore Kennedy Coakley—were named to the AVCA All-America second team and were joined by junior Ashley Pater and freshman Sarah Wood on the All-MPSF first team. Wood was named the MPSF's Freshman of the Year. Seventh-year head coach Dain Blanton reached 198 career wins at the close of the season.
For more information on the USC beach volleyball team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com/beach. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and on X @USCBeach.
Tekavec—a two-time recipient of the AVCA's Thirty Under 30 award—comes to Troy after seven seasons at Florida Atlantic (2019-26) where she served as an assistant coach for six and was promoted to associate head coach in October 2025. Prior to her first coaching appointment, she played indoor volleyball and was a team captain for the Owls (2013-17, redshirt in 2015) and was a Sandy Owl for the beach volleyball program in 2019.
"We are excited to have Kristi join our staff at USC," said Blanton. "She brings a wealth of experience in the box and has had proven success developing beach athletes over the course of her career at FAU. Kristi is committed to producing well-rounded student-athletes and aims to provide her athletes with broad experiences that deliver results in the classroom and on the sand. We feel her coaching style fits our team culture and the goals of our program and can't wait to have her join our team."
With Tekavec on staff, FAU beach volleyball produced four 20-win seasons, made three NCAA championship appearances (2022, '23, '25), won three conference titles (2021, '23, '25), and achieved a program-best No. 8 national ranking in the AVCA coaches' poll in 2022.
"Joining USC is truly an honor," said Tekavec. "I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this program. I've always believed that championship teams are built on meaningful relationships, intentional athlete development, and a culture that brings out the best in everyone. My hope is to help create transformative experiences that shape our student-athletes not only as competitors, but as leaders and people. I'm excited to grow alongside this incredible staff, invest in our student-athletes, and help continue the championship tradition that makes USC beach volleyball so special. Fight On!"
Tekavec helped guide the Owls to 22 wins in 2026, one shy of matching the program's single season record. In 2025, Florida Atlantic captured the Conference USA crown to earn the program's third berth into the NCAA championship. In 2022, Tekavec's third with the Owls, FAU collected a school-record 23 wins and earned its first win at the NCAA championship to advance to the national quarterfinals. As the No. 8-seed, Florida Atlantic defeated ninth-seeded Stanford, 3-0, in the opening round and ended the season with its best ranking in school history at No. 8 in both the AVCA and CBVB national polls.
While at FAU, Tekavec helped coach four AVCA All-Americans: Erica Brok, Mackenzie Morris, Ashleigh Adams, and Marketa Svozilova. The Owls had four AVCA Top Flight selections, three CUSA Pairs of the Year, three CUSA Freshman of the Year selections, 18 All-CUSA first-team honorees, and 10 CUSA All-Freshman Team players. FAU also earned the USMC/AVCA Team Academic Award twice (2023, '25) and had two AVCA National Pair of the Week selections.
Tekavec is active on the AVP pro tour with a career-best fifth-place finish at the 2023 Waupaca Open event with partner Erika Brok. As a collegian, Tekavec played in 91 matches as an outside hitter for the FAU indoor women's volleyball team. She totaled 719 kills, 265 digs, and 82 blocks in her career.
A native of Solon, Ohio, Tekavec graduated from Florida Atlantic with bachelor's degrees in communications studies and sociology in 2017 and received a master's in higher education leadership in 2020.
The Women of Troy (29-12) made their 10th consecutive appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2026 and reached the quarterfinal round before falling to Florida State. USC finished tied for third in the MPSF with a semifinal finish at the conference championship. Two Trojans—junior Zoey Henson and sophomore Kennedy Coakley—were named to the AVCA All-America second team and were joined by junior Ashley Pater and freshman Sarah Wood on the All-MPSF first team. Wood was named the MPSF's Freshman of the Year. Seventh-year head coach Dain Blanton reached 198 career wins at the close of the season.
For more information on the USC beach volleyball team, a complete schedule, and results, please visit USCTrojans.com/beach. Fans of the Women of Troy can follow the team on Instagram and on X @USCBeach.
Players Mentioned
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