Photo by: University of South Florida Athletics
South Florida Volleyball’s Paula Tomasa Earns Fourth-Straight Freshman of the Week Honor
October 19, 2026 | Women's Volleyball
Paula Tomasa earned her fifth Freshman of the Week accolade
IRVING, Texas (October 19, 2026) – The American Conference announced its weekly awards on Monday, and for the fourth straight week, Paula Tomasa was named Freshman of the Week. Miya Thomas earned a spot on the weekly honorable mention list, giving the University of South Florida volleyball team two selections.
Tomasa led South Florida with 28 kills and 3.50 kills per set. She recorded 12 digs, six blocks, and three service aces. Against Tulane, she tallied a team-high 18 kills.
Thomas played a key role in South Florida's back-row defense. She led the Bulls with 33 digs and 4.13 digs per set. She recorded a team-high 19 digs against Tulane and added 13 assists, leading South Florida with four aces.
Up Next
South Florida welcomes Florida Atlantic on Wednesday, October 21, at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
Follow South Florida Volleyball
For the latest updates from South Florida Athletics, visit GoUSFBulls.com. Follow the Bulls on X / Instagram / Facebook
Get your tickets today!
Call 1-800-GO-BULLS (1-800-462-8557) or email BullsTickets@usf.edu to claim your season or single-game tickets. You can also download the South Florida Bulls app on the Android or Apple stores to purchase tickets and parking. Visit USFBullsTix.com for more information.
About South Florida Volleyball
Head coach Jolene Shepardson enters her seventh season at the helm of her alma mater in 2026. Named head coach on January 8, 2020, as a player she helped lead the Bulls to two conference championships and a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. As head coach, she led the Bulls back to the NCAA Tournament in 2025 for the first time since she was a player in 2002 and guided USF to the 2024 AAC regular-season championship, earning her first Coach of the Year Honor. In 2023, the Bulls won the American Conference East Division, made a postseason appearance in the NIVC, and advanced to the Fab Four to mark the longest postseason run in program history.
South Florida Volleyball has won nine Player of the Year honors, most recently with Maria Clara Andrade winning American Conference honors in back-to-back years in 2024 and 2025. The Bulls have also earned four Setter of the Year honors, most recently with Caroline Dykes being recognized in 2024.
South Florida volleyball has made eight NCAA Tournament appearances and won 13 conference titles since the program's inception in 1972. The Bulls play in The Corral (1,000), located adjacent to the Yuengling Center on the USF campus in Tampa.
Tomasa led South Florida with 28 kills and 3.50 kills per set. She recorded 12 digs, six blocks, and three service aces. Against Tulane, she tallied a team-high 18 kills.
Thomas played a key role in South Florida's back-row defense. She led the Bulls with 33 digs and 4.13 digs per set. She recorded a team-high 19 digs against Tulane and added 13 assists, leading South Florida with four aces.
Up Next
South Florida welcomes Florida Atlantic on Wednesday, October 21, at 6 p.m. on ESPN+.
Follow South Florida Volleyball
For the latest updates from South Florida Athletics, visit GoUSFBulls.com. Follow the Bulls on X / Instagram / Facebook
Get your tickets today!
Call 1-800-GO-BULLS (1-800-462-8557) or email BullsTickets@usf.edu to claim your season or single-game tickets. You can also download the South Florida Bulls app on the Android or Apple stores to purchase tickets and parking. Visit USFBullsTix.com for more information.
About South Florida Volleyball
Head coach Jolene Shepardson enters her seventh season at the helm of her alma mater in 2026. Named head coach on January 8, 2020, as a player she helped lead the Bulls to two conference championships and a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. As head coach, she led the Bulls back to the NCAA Tournament in 2025 for the first time since she was a player in 2002 and guided USF to the 2024 AAC regular-season championship, earning her first Coach of the Year Honor. In 2023, the Bulls won the American Conference East Division, made a postseason appearance in the NIVC, and advanced to the Fab Four to mark the longest postseason run in program history.
South Florida Volleyball has won nine Player of the Year honors, most recently with Maria Clara Andrade winning American Conference honors in back-to-back years in 2024 and 2025. The Bulls have also earned four Setter of the Year honors, most recently with Caroline Dykes being recognized in 2024.
South Florida volleyball has made eight NCAA Tournament appearances and won 13 conference titles since the program's inception in 1972. The Bulls play in The Corral (1,000), located adjacent to the Yuengling Center on the USF campus in Tampa.
Players Mentioned
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