After Nearly Winning A National Title, These Lady Sharks Received Transfer Scholarships

Four Miami Dade College volleyball players, who played significant roles on a Lady Sharks volleyball team that finished a win short of a national title, received scholarships to continue their collegiate careers.

Romina Cornelio signed with Florida Atlantic University, Kiaraliz Perez is transferring to the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Anllelivis Fernandez is taking her talents to Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and Jazmin Vergara will play at Youngstown State University in Ohio next season.

“They are good athletes and students as well,” Head Volleyball Coach Origenes “Kiko” Benoit said. “For us, Miami Dade College and the [athletics] department, [this] is a job well done because that’s the goal, not only to win but also to see them [be] academically successful.”

Cornelio, an outside hitter from the Dominican Republic, has starred at MDC since she arrived. As a freshman, she led the team with 353 points and 306 kills. She followed that season up with 419 points and 359 kills this year, once again leading the team in both categories. 

At the end of the season, Cornelio earned First-Team All America Division I volleyball honors from the National Junior College Athletic Association. In addition, she was tabbed the Florida College System Activities Association Player of The Year for the second straight season.  

Perez, a defensive specialist, has been the Lady Sharks spark plug for the past two seasons. Her style is aggressive and all out hustle on every play. This past season, she missed five games after suffering a posterior cruciate ligament injury in practice in late September but she returned for the teams playoff run.

Despite the injury, she once again led the team in digs (425) and was selected Second-Team All-Suncoast Conference this season.

“For me [this] is something great,” Perez said about her scholarship offer. “I [will] keep working hard, improve every day and give my best.”

Fernandez, an opposite hitter who transferred from State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota, contributed 413 total attacks, 233 points and 200 kills this season. 

Vergara, an outside hitter from Colombia, had 499 total attacks, 253 points and 215 kills for the Lady Sharks this season while earning Second-Team All-Suncoast Conference honors.

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