TAMPA, Fla. February 20, 2025 – The University of South Florida volleyball team's Lia Schneider will represent the Bulls at the 2025 USA Volleyball Women's National Team Open Program on February 21-23 in Colorado Springs at the Olympic Training Center.
 
Schneider is one of four players in the American Athletic Conference to represent their program.
 
Schneider was one of three Bulls to play in all 108 sets this season. Serving primarily as the Bulls starting libero, she led the team with 447 digs, setting a career-high of 27 digs against Florida Atlantic. Schneider finished second on the team with 114 assists and third with 33 aces. Schneider was named to the 2024 American Athletic All-Conference Second Team.
 
The WNT Open Program serves as a key development opportunity for potential selection to both the U.S. Women's National Team and National Team Development Program (NTDP) age-group national teams. In 2025, members of the U.S. Women's National Team will compete in the following events: Volleyball Nations League, Pan American Cup and NORCECA Final Six.
 
There are three women's age-group national teams this year that WNTOP participants may be considered for based on their birth year and eligibility: Women's U21 (athletes born in 2005 and younger) and Girls U19 (athletes born in 2007 and younger), both competing at their respective Pan American Cups and FIVB World Championships. A newly formed Women's U23 National Team (born in 2003 and younger) will train and compete internationally, replacing the domestic-only Women's Collegiate National Team.
 
Representatives from LOVB, PVF and Athletes Unlimited will also be on hand to discuss opportunities with participating athletes. Two-time Olympian Jordan Thompson and U.S. Women's National Team athlete Sarah Franklin will also do a Q&A with athletes.
 
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.
 
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.