Freshman Center Leads Lady Sharks In Scoring And Rebounding

Through 16 games, the Miami Dade College women’s basketball team is 10–6, including a 4–3 record at home and 3–2 mark on the road. Despite some uneven play early on, the Lady Sharks are finding their footing, winning six of their last seven games.

A big reason for the improvement is the performance of sophomores Jazmyne Bynum and Riana Callihan. Bynum, a combo guard, is averaging 18 points per game and Riana Callihan is snagging 8.3 rebounds and scoring 9  points per contest.

However, the team’s biggest building block this season has been freshman Meredith Venner, who is averaging a double-double. She leads the team with 19 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. 

Venner has scored at least 20 points in seven games this season, including two 30 point performances—a 32 point explosion versus Santa Fe College on Dec. 30 and a 31 point performance against Bryant & Stratton College on Jan. 3. The Lady Sharks are 6-1 in those contests. 

“She’s one of our dominant players — someone we really need on the floor to make an impact,” Bynum said. “When we’re trying to score or get something going, she’s one of the players we look to. She’s very important to what we do.”

The 6-foot-3 center’s basketball journey began long before she truly understood the game.

“My dad played basketball, and he taught me everything I know,” said Vennner, who was born in Colombia. “I started playing when I was three years old. Since then, I’ve loved the game. Basketball helped me get through problems back home and eventually brought me to the United States. It’s a blessing. It means so much to me.”

Despite her passion for the sport, Venner said opportunities in Colombia were limited for women. But she didn’t let that stop her drive.

“I played for Bogotá’s team—the capital team—when I was around 15, and I was really dominating the league,” she said.

That success opened doors.  She averaged 19.3 points at the 2023 U-17 South American Championship and 11.5 points at the 2024 FIBA U-17 Championship. 

“Little by little I started growing, learning, and noticing I was different from my teammates and friends,” Venner said. “I knew I was blessed with talent and physical gifts, so I decided to really chase it. I watched WNBA players and thought, ‘I’m not so different from them. I can do this.’”

In January of 2024, Venner moved to Orlando to attend the Academy of Central Florida. She was a starter as a junior, before tearing her ACL as a senior. 

Despite the setback, Susan Summons, the head basketball coach at MDC, continued to  recruit her.

“Even while I was rehabbing, [coach Summons] told me, ‘Come here. I’m going to help you, I’m going to take care of you, and make you a better player,’ “ Venner recalls. “Not many schools will take you when you’re injured, so that meant everything.”

She spent 10 months rehabbing the injury and now that she is healthy again, Venner is embracing her opportunity at MDC.

“Coach [Summons] expects points and rebounds—a double-double every night,” Venner said. “She wants me to bring energy and be a monster in the game, so I have to do it.”

In addition to filling the stat sheet, Venner’s unselfish play and leadership have not gone unnoticed. She is often seen offering words of encouragement to teammates who are struggling on the court.

“When teams focus on her scoring, she trusts her teammates and always puts the team first,” Callihan said. “Even through tough calls or foul trouble, she keeps everyone lifted and engaged.”

For Venner, this year is only the beginning of a larger journey. 

“At the end of the season, I see myself committing to a Division I high-major university,” she said. “I want to keep growing and using the blessing and talent I have.”

And beyond college? She’s not limiting her dreams. 

“Maybe I can play overseas. Maybe the WNBA—I don’t know, but that’s my dream,” Venner said. “I just know I’m going to keep working and doing everything I can. I believe great things are coming.”

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