TAMPA, August 21, 2023 – The parallels and ironies will be everywhere this weekend when the USF Bulls open their season at the Road 2 Tampa Bay Volleyball Invitational.
USF coach Jolene Shepardson and Georgia Tech coach Michelle Collier, who were USF teammates in 2001-02, will be opponents for the first time when the Bulls and the No. 20-ranked Yellow Jackets face off in Friday night’s match at downtown Tampa’s Amalie Arena.
Shepardson still has fond memories of teaming with Collier in their final USF match — a 35-33, 30-24, 20-30, 30-18 defeat against the Final Four-bound Florida Gators in a 2002 NCAA Tournament second-rounder. The Gators are still coached by Mary Wise, entering her 33rd season. Shepardson’s Bulls face Wise’s No. 11-ranked Gators in Saturday night’s match at USF’s Yuengling Center.
The Road 2 Tampa Bay Volleyball Invitational, which also includes the No. 8-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, is an elite season-opening event that sets the stage for the season’s grand finale, when the NCAA Volleyball Final Four is hosted by USF and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission in December at Amalie Arena.
Overseeing it all is Claire Lessinger, the TBSC’s vice president of events, a former USF volleyball head coach (2004-12) and Gators player. Lessinger was also a USF assistant on the night when the Shepardson/Collier-led Bulls nearly toppled the Gators in NCAA play.
“It’s like a big reunion of so many people with so much in common in the sport of volleyball,’’ Shepardson said. “I truly don’t think you could even make this stuff up. It’s an incredible opportunity for our program and all the storylines just add different wrinkles to what is going to be a great season-opening showcase for our sport.’’
The most interesting storyline is Shepardson and Collier’s first meeting as coaches.
Collier is considered USF’s best all-time volleyball player. She was an All-American, the Conference USA Player of the Decade and a member of USF’s Athletic Hall of Fame. She also finished fifth all-time in NCAA Division I career kills (2,729).
She’s entering her 10th season as Georgia Tech’s head coach. The Yellow Jackets, seeking their fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, had a final No. 16 national ranking last season and reached the NCAA’s Elite Eight in 2021.
“This is a special moment for me,’’ Collier said. “I have tons of respect and love for USF and the opportunity I had when I was there. I’m grateful for all of it.
“On the other hand, I’m a competitor and I want to win, so we’ll be giving it our best shot and we’ll try to keep the emotional piece aside. You don’t get too many opportunities to compete against your alma mater while facing a teammate and friend like Jolene. So it’s going to be fun.’’
Shepardson (then Jolene Patton) and Collier were the dual outside hitters in 2002, when Coach Nancy Mueller’s Bulls finished 30-7 and gave UF a major scare. On that night, Wise described Collier as “one of the most special talents in the country’’ and USF “did not get the respect in the seeding they deserved … we’ve never played a team as talented as USF in the second round.’’
“I think it’s a match that Michelle and I won’t forget,’’ Shepardson said. “We were fighting so hard. Michelle and I kept getting clean kills. It was high, high, high-level playing. I remember all good, not too much bad (mistakes). Some of the scores were ridiculous and the rallies were unbelievable. I know Florida would say that USF was the toughest fight it had.
“Michelle was always an inspiration for me. She was so, so good. When she did something really awesome, I would try to do it. We weren’t built the same way. She hit harder than me. Maybe I tried to be more skilled. But we had great chemistry and I think it was a really good combination. I’m excited for her success as a Georgia Tech coach, but of course, our plan is now to beat her. The competition, emotions and connections just make for a really cool way to start the season.’’
There’s one more connection.
Friday is Shepardson’s 43rd birthday.
“I’ve been joking with my players, ‘Hey, you know, I’ve got an idea for a great birthday present,’ ‘’ Shepardson said with a laugh. “No doubt, Michelle is looking to take down her alma mater and we’re looking to start our season in a big way.
“It will be competitive. But it’s also an atmosphere of respect. It was easy for Michelle and I to play together. I think it’s going to be enjoyable and memorable to coach against each other.’’
About USF Volleyball
Head coach Jolene Shepardson enters her fourth season at the helm of her alma mater in 2023. Named head coach on Jan. 8, 2020, Shepardson led the Bulls’ program to its last conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance as a student-athlete in 2002. USF made its last postseason appearance in 2018, posting 20 wins and appearing in the NIVC. USF Volleyball has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances and won 12 conference titles since its inception in 1972 and is entering its 50th campaign in 2021-22. The Bulls play in The Corral (1,000), adjacent to the Yuengling Center on the USF campus.
Be sure to follow USF women’s volleyball on social media (Twitter/Instagram/Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
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