Hall of Fame
Outside Hitter
All-Pacific Region, 2003
2x All-WCC First Team 2002 and 2003
USF Single-Season Record For Kills (556, 2003)
USF Career Years: 2000-2003
Birthdate: December 7, 1981
Hometown: Encinitas, CA
High School: La Costa Canyon High School
Brittanie Budinger was born on December 7, 1981 in Encinitas, CA and attended her local La Costa Canyon High School. She was a four-year letter-winner in volleyball at La Costa Canyon High School, and earned First-Team All-League selection her senior year. She was also named to the 1999 San Diego Union-Tribune’s All-Academic Team. A versatile and dynamic player, Budinger teamed to win the bronze medal in doubles at the 1999 Junior Olympic Beach Volleyball Championships.
At USF, Budinger's talent was evident as a freshman: she ranked third on the team in kills and fourth in digs. She continued to demonstrate brilliant play as a sophomore, ranking third on the team in kills and digs. That same year she registered six double-double efforts, including a 15-kill and 13-dig outing against then 12th-ranked Pepperdine.
As a junior, she became the first player in USF history to surpass 500 kills in a single season. Her ability to dominate matches was unparalleled as she paced the team, averaging 4.58 kills per game, and ranking third among the conference leaders.
Budinger finished her senior year by driving the USF volleyball team to a record-setting season, including its first NCAA Tournament. She completed her four-year career as USF's career kill leader (1,518), ranked second in career digs (1,191), and was named Tournament MVP in the Washington State Cougar Challenge, the Fiesta Bowl Classic and at the Butler Invitational. Budinger also earned 2003 All-Pacific Region Honorable Mention and 2003 All-WCC First Team Honors.
As the most dominant player in program history, Brittanie Budinger is the first volleyball player and the ninth USF athlete to have her number retired. She played professional volleyball in Europe before returning to the Bay Area to pursue business opportunities in 2006.
