Full Circle: Analyst Shelby Coppedge Returns to Her Texas Roots for the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Tournament

For volleyball analyst Shelby Coppedge, Thursday evening’s matchup between third-seeded Texas and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi is more than just a game—it’s a homecoming of sorts.

Born and raised in Austin, Coppedge’s love for volleyball began in Gregory Gymnasium, where she attended Texas matches with her mom and little sister. Watching towering athletes dominate the court under head coach Jerritt Elliott, who took over in 2001, sparked a lifelong passion for the sport. “Elliott is the Nick Saban of volleyball,” she says, recalling how those early experiences shaped her connection to the game.

Now in her third season with ESPN, Coppedge has carved out an impressive career, calling marquee matches, traveling overseas for the Volleyball Nations League and serving as a sideline analyst for NCAA Tournament regionals. This week, she’ll bring that expertise to the highly-anticipated Texas vs. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi matchup, airing tonight, Dec. 5, at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+—a game featuring her alma mater, TAMUCC.

Coppedge reflects on her Texas roots, her journey in volleyball and what fans can expect from Thursday night’s showdown.

How did growing up in Texas, from attending UT Austin games to playing for A&M-Corpus Christi, influence your perspective as a volleyball analyst?
Playing volleyball and being surrounded by the sport in Texas my whole life allows me, for the most part, to put myself in the players’ shoes during broadcasts. I played volleyball from fourth grade to the collegiate D1 level at TAMUCC, so I know the sport like the back of my hand. Being born in Austin, my earliest memories were going to the Texas matches in Gregory Gym. This started my love for the game.

As a former player turned analyst, explaining something as simple as a service error can be challenging. No one wants to miss a serve, especially in front of a home crowd. As an Islander, I hated missing serves and struggled to let mistakes go. Now, as an analyst, I see critiquing as different from being negative. Players want to improve, and viewers want to understand the game. I always ask myself: Would this help the player or team if they listened to this broadcast?

In what ways did your time at A&M-Corpus Christi ignite your passion for television and sports media?
Broadcasting wasn’t on my radar in college—I dreamed of a career in law enforcement and majored in Criminal Justice. But at 24, I realized I wanted to work in sports. My first job was in sales with the Houston Rockets, eventually becoming their Digital/In-Arena Host. With no connections or experience, I worked my way up to calling games nationally and regionally.

My first volleyball match was for the Islanders, where my former coach, Tony Graystone, believed in me enough to give me that opportunity. Later, Tony, now the head coach at Texas Tech, invited me to call two of their seasons on ESPN+. Those experiences and his trust helped me build the skills and confidence that ultimately led to ESPN. I didn’t know it then, but my time at TAMUCC and relationship with my former coach would be where I got my start.

What do you think makes college volleyball such a unique and exciting experience for both fans and players?
You don’t have to know the sport to feel the thrill! Volleyball is one of the fastest-paced sports to watch, whether on TV or in person. You don’t need to know what a “kill” is to be wowed by Texas’ Madi Skinner or understand a “dig” to marvel at Nebraska’s Lexi Rodriguez diving into the bleachers. With skyrocketing viewership and players becoming household names, volleyball’s excitement is undeniable. Many NCAA Tournament matches will air on ESPN and ABC—turn on the TV, and you’ll be instantly hooked.

What can fans expect to see in this matchup between Texas and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi?
The Longhorns’ experience and strength make their offense dominant. Against TAMUCC, Texas will utilize freshman Ayden Ames and Marianna Singletary in the middle, leveraging their height and precision. TAMUCC, though smaller, is athletic and scrappy, excelling in digs and leading the Southland in hitting percentage and kills. This is their fourth NCAA Tournament under coach Steve Greene, and they thrive under pressure. It’s a clash of Texas’ powerful offense against the Islanders’ gritty defense.