Aug. 23, 2018
The 2018 San José State volleyball team opens the season this weekend in Tampa, Fla., as part of the USF Invitational.
USF InvitationalAugust 24-25, 2018The Corral (inside Yuengling Center), Tampa, Fla.Friday, August 2411 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT -- San José State vs. South Florida (Live Video)
5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT -- San José State vs. Stony BrookSaturday, August 2511 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PT -- San José State vs. Jacksonville
Live stats for all three matches - http://www.sidearmstats.com/usf/wvball/
All-time series records
South Florida -- 1-1
1994 -- W, 3-1 (NIVC, Kansas City, Mo.)
1995 -- L, 3-2 (at UCSB Paul Mitchell Collegiate Classic, Santa Barbara, Calif.)
Stony Brook -- First Meeting
Jacksonville -- First Meeting
Spartan head coach Jolene Shepardson returns for her fifth season as the helm of the program after leading the 2017 team to a 17-12 overall record and 9-9 Mountain West record. The team had its best conference finish, fifth place, since joining the MW in 2013, and the program's first winning season since 2006 most overall wins since 2012.
Shepardson opens the 2018 season by facing her alma mater, South Florida. The former Jolene Patton helped the Bulls win two Conference USA Regular Season Co-Championships (2000 and 2002) and make two NCAA Tournament appearances those seasons. Shepardson graduated from USF in 2002 with a degree in psychology.
The Spartans return four starters plus libero and seven letterwinners from last season's team. Libero Luiza Andrade was named to the Mountain West Preseason Team. She begins the year fourth in Spartan history in digs with 1,155, and is the eighth player in school history to record 1,000 digs.
Two Spartans traveled to Europe this summer as part of the MW All-star team that came home with the silver medal at the European Global Challenge. Thaliana Grajeda and Laura Parts represented San José State on the team. Grajeda is a returning starter at middle blocker, while Parts started on the right side and middle last season.
Eight newcomers join the Spartan team, led by junior transfer outside hitter Caitlin Bettenay. She was a 2017 All-Big Sky first team selection at Portland State. Setter Mamie Garard comes to San Jose from Noblesville, Ind., where she graduated from Zionsville High School. She was a two-time all-state honoree and three-time All-Hoosier Conference selection.
After a quick trip to Florida, the Spartans return home next week for the annual Blue/Gold scrimmage on Saturday, September 1, inside Spartan Gym at 2 p.m.