Former all-conference libero comes to USF from Tiffin University
TAMPA, APRIL 9, 2026 – University of South Florida Head Volleyball Coach Jolene Shepardson today named Sam Fallis as an assistant coach for the Bulls’ program.
Fallis, a former all-conference libero, comes to South Florida after four seasons on the coaching staff at her alma mater Tiffin University, the last three as an assistant coach.
“I’m very excited to welcome Sam to South Florida and into our Bulls family,” Shepardson said. “Sam is a dynamic young coach who connects naturally with student-athletes and brings a genuine passion for their development. Sam’s attention to detail and tremendous work ethic set her apart and make her a valuable addition as we continue to strengthen and sustain the championship culture we’ve established at USF.”
Fallis began her coaching career as a graduate assistant (2022) at Tiffin University before moving to an assistant coach position from 2023-25. From February to June 2025, Fallis served as the interim head coach for the Dragon’s program, managing all aspects of team operations, training, recruiting, and day-to-day administration through the spring season.
While a coach at Tiffin, Fallis also served as TU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) advisor, hosting weekly SAAC Board meetings and helping to coordinate events throughout the year.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Fallis has been involved with volleyball since age seven and has served in various coaching roles since her freshman season at Tiffin University where she coached a 17 American team at Black Swamp Volleyball Club. She has also coached on number of youth levels.
Fallis was a three-time All-GMAC (Great Midwest Athletic Conference) selection at libero for the Dragons during a four-year playing career from 2018-22. A three-year team captain, in her senior season she led the GMAC in total digs with 564 and ranked third in digs per set. Fallis finished her career ranking sixth in TU’s overall record book with 1,764 digs while standing third in digs in TU’s Division II record book and second in aces with 106. She served as vice president of the TU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee in her senior season, while serving as a representative to SAAC all four years.
From 2024-26, Fallis served as a 16-Black assistant coach for the Toledo Volleyball Club and from 2025-26 was the club’s social media coordinator.
Fallis earned her bachelor’s degree from Tiffin University in criminal justice in 2022 and a master’s degree in psychology in 2024.
Fallis Coaching Career
2026- South Florida, Assistant Coach
2023-25 Tiffin University, Assistant Coach
2022 Tiffin University, Graduate Assistant
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About USF 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 Andradewinning 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.
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