TAMPA, Fla. (Nov. 30, 2025) – The University of South Florida volleyball team is headed back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 23 years. The Bulls earned an at-large bid on Sunday night, marking the program's first NCAA appearance since 2002 and the third in school history.

It's a major milestone for a team that has steadily climbed under head coach Jolene Shepardson. The Bulls put together one of their strongest seasons in recent memory, picking up key wins throughout the year and finishing as one of the top teams in the American Athletic Conference.


"It's hard to put into words what this means," head coach Jolene Shepardson said. "I was on the last USF team that made the NCAA Tournament as a player, so to see our program get back to this stage after all these years is really special. This team has earned every bit of this opportunity, and I'm so proud of their growth, grit, and commitment. We can't wait to represent South Florida in the postseason."

USF will face the defending National Champions, the Penn State Nittany Lions, on December 5 in Austin, Texas, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. More details, including ticket and broadcast information, will be released as soon as they are available.

"This is a landmark moment for our volleyball program and for the entire USF community," CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins said. "What Coach Shepardson and this team have accomplished is a testament to their relentless work and belief in building something special. Returning to the NCAA Tournament after more than two decades is no small feat, and we could not be more proud of this group. We're excited to support them as they take the national stage and continue elevating the standard for South Florida Athletics."
 
South Florida enters postseason play with a confident, experienced lineup and momentum from a standout regular season. The Bulls will now look to carry that energy into the NCAA Tournament as they compete on the national stage once again.

The First and Second Rounds will take place December 4-6, and Regionals will go from December 11^th and 13th or the 12^th and 14^th. The National Semifinals will be held December 18 on ESPN. The National Championship will take place December 21, at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. The semifinals and championship will be held at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
 
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Be sure to follow USF women's volleyball on social media (X / Instagram / Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information. 
 
About USF Volleyball
Head coach Jolene Shepardson enters her sixth season at the helm of her alma mater in 2025. Named head coach on January 8, 2020, Shepardson led the Bulls to a conference championship and the program's last NCAA tournament appearance as a student-athlete in 2002. South Florida won the 2024 AAC regular-season title, earning Jolene Shepardson her first Coach of the Year Honor. In 2023, the Bulls won the AAC East Division title, made a postseason appearance in the NIVC, won three matches, and advanced to the Fab Four to mark the longest postseason run in program history. South Florida Volleyball has won eight Player of the Year honors, most recently in Maria Clara Andrade in 2024. The Bulls have also had four Setter of the Year honors, most recently in Caroline Dykes in 2024. South Florida has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances and won 13 conference titles since its inception in 1972. The Bulls play in The Corral (1,000), located adjacent to the Yuengling Center on the USF campus in Tampa.