TAMPA, Fla. (June 26, 2023) – University of South Florida head volleyball coach Jolene Shepardson has announced the 2023 schedule for her fourth season at the helm of the Bulls, as more teams are welcomed into the American Athletic Conference.

South Florida's full slate includes 31 total matches with 14 set to be played in Tampa, including seven at the Yuengling Center and one at Amalie Arena.

All home matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.

"I couldn't be happier with the way our schedule landed for us," head coach Shepardson said, "It has been a challenge to bring forward a new competitive schedule with the additions and growth of the AAC. I appreciate how we have been able to lighten the travel demands on our student-athletes while keeping things equitable."

The season kicks off with an exhibition match at Jacksonville University on August 19 at 2 p.m.

The Bulls will then participate in the Road to Tampa Bay Tournament, playing Georgia Tech on August 25 p.m. at Amalie Arena and University of Florida on August 26 at 8 p.m. in the Yuengling Center. Those three teams, along with Penn State, will also face off against each other as part of a season-opening tournament in Tampa.

"Our preseason is set up to have an incredible opening weekend at home in Amalie Arena August 25!" said Shepardson, "Everyone in the state of Florida needs to come out for a match up against my former South Florida teammate, and All-American Hall of Famer, Michelle Collier, who is the head coach at Georgia Tech. The very next night we turn around and play Florida in the Yuengling Arena. This is exciting and significant to me because Michelle and I played an extremely competitive match against Mary Wise at the University of Florida in the 2nd round of the 2002 NCAA tournament.  UF was able to advance on and eventually make it to the Final Four that year."

USF will continue their home game stretch by hosting FGCU and Mercer on September 1 at 10 a.m., followed by South Florida facing Idaho State at 1 p.m. Mercer and Idaho State will then compete against each other later in the day, while the Bulls will wrap up the day by playing against FGCU at 7 p.m. All matches will take place at the Yuengling Center. On September 2, FGCU will take on Idaho State as the Bulls play Mercer.

The Green and Gold will hit the road for the South Dakota Tournament, playing IUPUI on September 7, South Dakota University on the 8^th, and Drake University on the 9^th.

USF wraps up non-conference action as they continue on the road for the UNF Tournament, starting with a match against UC Upstate on September 15, followed by a match against UNF that same day. The Bulls will also face Alabama A&M the following day before returning home.

American pay begins at home with a match against Tulane on September 20, followed by back-to-back matches against Memphis on September 23 and 24.

AAC action the comes to Tampa with back-to-back matches against UAB on September 29 and 30, both at the Yuengling Center.

The team will be back on the road to face UTSA (Oct. 6) and WSU (Oct. 8), before hosting Homecoming and Alumni weekend matches against Charlotte on October 13 and 15, respectively. USF will also host UNT on October 20 at the Yuengling Center.

USF will face Tulsa (Oct. 27), SMU (Oct. 29), and Temple (Nov. 2 and 3), before returning home for their final home matches. The Bulls will host back-to-back matches against East Carolina on November 9 and 10.

USF's final road trip of the year takes the Bulls to FAU for two matches (Nov. 16 and 17), before returning home to close out the regular season against Rice on November 22 just before Thanksgiving at 12:30 p.m.

"As you can see, I am extremely pleased with our upcoming season. Please help us bring all volleyball lovers out to our opening matches in Amalie and Yuengling Arena. There will be no lack of excitement." said Shepardson.
 

About USF Volleyball
Head coach Jolene Shepardson enters her fourth season at the helm of her alma mater in 2022. Named head coach on Jan. 8, 2020, Shepardson led the Bulls' program to its last conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance as a student-athlete in 2002. USF made its last postseason appearance in 2018, posting 20 wins and appearing in the NIVC. USF Volleyball has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances and won 12 conference titles since its inception in 1972 and is entering its 50th campaign in 2021-22. The Bulls play in The Corral (1,000), adjacent to the Yuengling Center on the USF campus.
 
Be sure to follow USF women's volleyball on social media (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.