Temple Transfer Helps Lady Sharks

Miami Dade College’s volleyball team got an unexpected boost this fall when Temple University middle blocker Brittany Ce’celia Spencer transferred.

The 6-foot-2 inch sophomore’s play has had an immediate impact on the Lady Sharks.

Spencer, 19, ranks second on the team in blocks, averaging 1.31 per game, and she is first on the team in hitting efficiency with a 38.6 percentage.

“I love this sport, ” Spencer said.

Spencer left Temple after her freshman year. The Owls were 4-25, and according to Spencer, the team lacked chemistry.

When she left Temple, several  Division I teams were interested in her, including the University of Houston and the University of Miami, according to Spencer. She wanted to attend UM, but her application was denied in late June, she said.

The decision left Spencer scrambling for a school. She approached MDC; the school has been a good fit.  Spencer found the Lady Sharks diversity refreshing. The team has players of nine different nationalities.

Spencer, who started playing volleyball during her junior year of high school in Virginia, is now studying mass communications at Kendall Campus. She is keeping her options open after MDC.

“I want her to pass all her classes because academics come first, then for her to go to a good Division I school with a full scholarship,” said Head Volleyball Coach Origenes Benoit.

Benoit has been impressed with Spencer’s hunger for learning.

“Her desire to learn and do better is going to help her,” Benoit said. “She is doing so well.”