In a remarkable feat, Maria Clara Andrade, a star player on the University of South Florida (USF) volleyball team, has been honored with a prestigious mention. The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) has named her to the All-American Honorable Mention Team for the 2025 season, marking her second consecutive year on this esteemed list.
Andrade's achievement is a testament to her outstanding performance on the court. She has been a powerhouse for the Bulls, leading them back to the NCAA Tournament after a long hiatus. As a two-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, Andrade has consistently demonstrated her offensive prowess, solidifying her role as the team's offensive anchor.
Her statistics are impressive: leading the American Conference in kills per set (4.39), total points (519), and points per set (4.99). With 1,622 career kills, she ranks fourth in the program's history. This season alone, she achieved 11 double-doubles and seven matches with 20 or more kills, showcasing her versatility and dominance.
But here's where it gets even more exciting: USF's recent return to the NCAA Tournament, where they faced the defending national champion, Penn State, in the opening round. Andrade's recognition adds a brilliant touch to an already memorable postseason for the Bulls.
The AVCA Division I All-America Committee, comprised of esteemed volleyball experts, selected the 2025 All-America team. This committee includes Matt Ulmer (Kansas), Bre Henry (Ole Miss), Branden Higa (UC Riverside), Kim Lambert (Delaware), Kelli Miller Phillips (Ball State), Rob Neilson (Utah State), Lauren Ramatowski (Tulsa), Jackie Simpson Kirr (Clemson), Erin Virtue (Michigan), Jason Williams (TCU), and Leanne Williamson (South Dakota).
Stay connected with USF women's volleyball on social media (Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the latest updates on this dynamic team.
USF volleyball is led by head coach Jolene Shepardson, a former student-athlete who led the team to a conference championship and the NCAA tournament in 2002. In 2025, she enters her sixth season at the helm of her alma mater. Under her guidance, the Bulls have achieved remarkable success, including winning the 2024 AAC regular-season title, which earned Shepardson her first Coach of the Year honor. The team also won the AAC East Division title in 2023 and made a deep postseason run in the NIVC, reaching the Fab Four.
South Florida Volleyball has a rich history of accolades, including eight Player of the Year honors, most recently awarded to Maria Clara Andrade in 2024, and four Setter of the Year honors, with Caroline Dykes being the latest recipient in 2024. Since its inception in 1972, the team has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances and claimed 13 conference titles. The Bulls play their home games at The Corral, a 1,000-seat arena located next to the Yuengling Center on the USF campus in Tampa.
Andrade's recognition as an AVCA All-American Honorable Mention is a significant milestone, not just for her but for the entire USF volleyball program. It highlights the team's talent and potential on a national stage, leaving fans eager to see what the future holds for this rising volleyball powerhouse.
