Galeano Helping Lady Sharks By Focusing On Small Details
Sophomore Silvia Galeano is focusing on the small details on the volleyball court this season. She thinks eliminating distractions like chatting leads to winning.
So far, so good. The Lady Sharks have jumped out to an 12-0 record this year including a 5-0 mark in Southern Conference play.
Galeano a, 5-foot-10 outside hitter, has played an integral role on the team’s success this year. She is averaging 10.7 kills, and 26 total attacks per match to go with a .277 hitting percentage.
“She is a very hard worker; throughout the whole summer and season she’s worked very hard,” Head Coach Origenes “Kiko” Benoit said. “She always wants to get better and she wants to go to a big school.”
Galeano first played sports when she was nine-years-old, participating in a basketball league because her dad wanted her to get involved in athletics. But eventually, she realized that basketball wasn’t her sport and she tried volleyball. Galeano, who grew up in the small town of Nechi, Colombia did well, and she got an opportunity to play for her country’s national team for two years.
Although she received an an offer to play in Italy and France, Galeano came to the United States seeking a better education.
“I saw [Miami Dade College as] a really good opportunity to keep studying and play volleyball,” Galeano said.
Galeano said the transition was difficult. She struggled to learn English and had a tough time resisting fast food.
“You go crazy because you have McDonald’s and all these other restaurants and being an athlete I had to focus myself and learn to eat healthy foods,” Galeano said.
The transition on the volleyball court was a good one for Galeano. Last year, as a freshman, she made the Southern Conference first-team, averaging three kills per set for the Lady Sharks.
Benoit is confident he made the right decision in recruiting her because of the qualities and values she carries on and off the volleyball court.
“[Volleyball] is a sport that empowers women and I like that,” Galeano said.
