Lady Sharks Bulldozing Through Regular Season
The Lady Sharks volleyball team has steamrolled through its schedule, winning 10 of their last 11 games, as the end of the regular season approaches.
Currently ranked No. 3 in the nation, the squad, which won 10 straight to start the season, is 20-2. They are 9-1 in conference play with two regular season games remaining.
Their only losses this season were a tightly contested 3-2 match on Sept. 12 versus Salt Lake Community College, who is ranked No. 5 in the country, and a 3-1 loss at home to top-ranked Florida Southwestern State College on Oct. 1.
“We have a group of very talented players,” said Lady Sharks Head Coach Origenes “Kiko” Benoit.
On the stat sheet, outside hitter Luyeisy Marquez-Moreno leads the team in kills with 265, followed closely by right side hitter Angelica Rodriguez with 223. Middle blocker Eduarda Fabricio leads the squad in blocks with 1.16 per set.
Defensively, libero Katianna Mejia Betancour anchors the back row with 357 digs, while setter Eleonora Gicheva continues to direct the offense, leading the team with 635 assists.
But the team has battled through a rash of injuries this season to key players including outside hitter Juliana Laguado Raigosa and right side hitter Emelee Lopez, who have each played in only six games.
Freshman Maria Fernanda de Lima Varela, who is a middle blocker, has filled in valiantly on the outside.The position change was a major transition because middle blocker is a defensive minded position while outside hitter is an offensive one.
De Lima Varela leads the team with a .384 hitting percentage and is third on the team in kills (110) and total attacks (216).
“It’s a different position with a different way [of] playing the game,” de Lima Varela said. “It’s hard, but I can do this.”
As the Lady Sharks finish out the regular season, they remain focused as a rematch with FSW in Fort Myers on Oct. 25 looms.
“We’re gonna have more discipline,” Marquez-Moreno said. “So when that game comes closer, we’re gonna keep going and we’re gonna give it our all and try to get that win.”
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