AUSTIN, Texas (Dec. 5, 2025) – South Florida's historic return to the NCAA Tournament came to a close Friday afternoon, as the Bulls fell to defending national champion Penn State, 3–1, inside Gregory Gymnasium. USF won the second set convincingly but ultimately dropped the match by scores of 23-25, 25-19, 21-25, 19-25.
Making their first NCAA appearance since 2002, the Bulls showed poise on the national stage—responding to an opening-set setback with one of their best offensive frames of the season. USF hit .452 in the second set, powered by a balanced attack and steady setting rhythm. The Bulls also recorded 9.0 total team blocks, staying within striking distance throughout a tightly contested match marked by 29 ties and 12 lead changes.
Maria Clara Andrade led the Bulls with 16 kills and 20.5 points, while Laila Ivey and Imani Hartfield added efficient swings to keep USF's offense moving. Miya Thomas anchored the defense with a team-high 13 digs, and the Bulls' front line delivered key stops at the net to slow Penn State's high-powered attack.
South Florida closes the season 17-13 overall after delivering one of the program's most memorable campaigns—earning an NCAA berth, finishing second in the American, and continuing the program's resurgence under head coach Jolene Shepardson.
The Bulls graduate a decorated senior class and return a strong core as they look to build on this year's foundation and continue elevating the program on the national stage.
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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.
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