She received a contract extension after leading the Bulls volleyball back to the NCAA tournament for the first time in more than two decades - when she was a player here! Darek starts this catch-up with Coach Jolene Shepardson discussing the incredible non-conference schedule that includes trips to defending national runner-up Kentucky, as well as Stanford and Penn State. The roster features a mix of returning hitters like Addy Brus and Laila Ivey, but must try and fill the hole left by the graduation of Maria Clara Andrade (already playing professionally in Brazil).

Note - this was part of the volleyball team's Media Day so stay tuned for conversations with the entire team as well!

After a summer break, we're back to posting plenty of interviews and other content for you! We start with a couple of quick chats that Darek Sharp had with the two players chosen to represent the Bulls at the 2026 American Kickoff event at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront.

The last of our sitdowns definitely comes with a story - an amazing one, of perserverance and patience. Joey and Darek speak with Garrett Johnson, a transfer from George Washington whose ACL tear two seasons ago was nothing compared what happened in 2021 during his senior year in high school when a hip tumor (fortunately, benign) threatened to end his playing days. Full story on that is available HERE.

But great news, he's healthy and ready to run with the Bulls.

The Texas native had an interesting three years in Chapel Hill, being held out his second season, last year breaking into the starting lineup - and playing a career high in minutes, and scoring career highs (15, 13 points) in those two starts - but is ready to be a bigger part of his team's offense, something High says Chris Mack emphasized will be the case here.

The former Orlando prep star (Oak Ridge HS) was recruited by Chris Mack to Louisville but suffered an Achilles injury and never got to play for him. James, a versatile guard, did excel with the Cardinals in the two seasons after Mack departed, starting every game and averaging 11.3 points. James then transferred to NC State only to suffer a career-threatening knee issue (read more on that HERE), and last year at Vanderbilt never got on track averaging less than two points in about 10 minutes per contest.

Needless to say Mike is thrilled to have the chance to regain his health and production.

Hear from two of the three freshmen on the squad, starting with a point guard from the northeast in Moore, and (at the 3:30 mark) a Kentucky kid who knows plenty about Chris Mack being from Louisville, and has some words on the other freshman Jake Feldhaus having competed with him plenty on the hardwood.

Was the High School Player of the Year in Michigan and carried that to college with a very productive three seasons at Toledo - which led Akron by 12 points in the MAC finals this March before losing on a 3-pointer with 6 seconds left. He's definitely looking to get to the NCAA tournament with his new team.

Joey and Darek get Dancler's thoughts on coming to USF, where he marvelled at the facilities which made it a done deal upon arrival. Averaged more than 15 points each of the past two seasons, last year at Coastal Carolina, and at LeMoyne prior.

Longtime Bulls fans will have no problems recalling Fred Lewis, the Chamberlain standout who was a key part of the 1991-92 team that reached the NCAA tournament. Naturally Joey and Darek went straight to that storyline when they sat down with his son Joshua, who played for Fred at Blake High School, and reached the state finals there. Originally Joshua committed to USF under Amir Abdur-Rahim but his tragic passing changed those plans, and he spent his freshman season at Louisiana, but is quite happy - as is Dad - to be with the Bulls.

In the first of our nine sitdowns with members of the men's basketball squad, Joey Johnston and Darek Sharp chat with Davis Jr. - the interview begins with his 5 quick points for the Cougars in a game this past season at the Yuengling Center!

Davis Jr. famously averaged 40.8 points during his junior season in high school playing in Wisconsin.

He admits he felt the scoring would come freely in college but he adjusted - and it showed, as after carrying a 6.2-point average into February, he scored no fewer than 7 in the remaining nine contests, twice establishing college career highs of 14 and 16.