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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 17, 2025) – Two USA Volleyball beach teams are in Rhine Ruhr, Germany, for the 2025 World University Games, July 16-27. The beach volleyball competition will run from July 22-26, where the U.S. teams will compete against top collegiate athletes from around the world.
Representing the U.S. on the women’s side are Alexis Durish and Audrey Koenig, both standout athletes from Florida State University. The duo has been on a roll this summer, winning gold at the U23 NORCECA Beach Continental Tour in the Cayman Islands. They followed that performance with another gold at their first Beach Pro Tour Futures event in Geneva, Switzerland, and added a bronze medal at the Futures stop in Montpellier, France. Koenig and Durish earned their spot in Germany by winning the 2025 World University Games Trials earlier this year.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work with them (Alexis and Audrey),” said women’s head coach Patty Dodd. “They are a dynamic and steady duo.”
On the men’s side, Gage Basey (University of Colorado) and Thomas Hurst (UC Irvine) will compete for the red, white and blue. The pair has shown strong form in 2025, highlighted by a silver medal at the NORCECA U23 Intercontinental Tour in the Dominican Republic. They’ve also claimed top finishes at home, including winning the AVP Virginia Beach tournament and the men’s open division at the Pottstown Rumble. Basey and Hurst also won the 2025 World University Games Trials to secure their roster spots.
“I’m excited to work with USA Volleyball at the World University Games coming up,” said Dan Friend, head coach of the men’s team. “We have a great USA staff – coaches, trainer, analyst and lead. We also have some phenomenal and talented athletes that will represent the USA at the highest level, helping USA compete for medals.”
This event marks a return to the World University stage for several members of the U.S. delegation. Both coaches, Dan Friend and Patty Dodd, led the U.S. beach teams at the 2024 FISU World University Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Durish earned a silver medal at that event alongside partner Xolani Hodel, while Basey and Hurst placed ninth overall.
Coaches and Support Staff
Men’s Head Coach: Dan Friend, Lewis University men’s indoor head coach
Women’s Head Coach: Patty Dodd, USA Volleyball Beach NTDP Coach, MB Sand
Medical Provider: Alexis Colon, Long Beach State
Performance Analyst: Will McDonald, Baylor
Team Lead: Chelsea Tupuola, USA Volleyball Beach NTDP Lead