OMAR NEGRIN / THE REPORTER
Thais De Castro Andrade’s energy is omnipresent on the volleyball court.
The diminutive 5-foot-6-inch Lady Sharks libero can be heard barking instructions during games.
“I don’t shut up,” Andrade conceded.
That loquacious nature—and her skill— is what makes Andrade the team’s unquestioned vocal leader.
She currently leads the Lady Sharks in digs (442) and digs per set (5.26). Andrade received All-Southern Conference honors this year while leading the Lady Sharks to a perfect 30-0 mark as they attempt to win back-to-back national titles.
Andrade, 20, fell in love with volleyball at the age of 10 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In the beginning, it wasn’t necessarily her choice. When she struggled in school as a child, her parents searched for ways to improve her grades so they signed her up for volleyball. It worked.
The sport was a natural fit for Andrade, whose father played volleyball in Brazil until a knee injury shut down his career. He went on to use his love for the sport as a way to bond with his daughter, becoming her first volleyball coach.
At first, she didn’t receive a lot of playing time, serving as a second-string libero. In her final year, she was named a starter and she shined. Andrade’s play caught the attention of Miami Dade College.
She was recruited by Kelly Dantas, an assistant coach for the Lady Sharks. Dantas played volleyball in Brazil and knew the landscape.
When she arrived at MDC, Andrade, who is majoring in biology and plans to pursue a career as a veterinarian, had a difficult time transitioning. She had a hard time learning English, struggling to pronounce simple words. But now, her teammates can’t contain her garrulous personality.
“She understands the game better and that only comes with playing time,” said Lady Sharks head coach Origenes “Kiko” Benoit. “When you practice with great players, you’re always going to work hard and eventually you’ll get to that level.”
The Lady Sharks volleyball team will attempt to defend their national title at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson, Kansas from Nov. 16-18.
