Futami, Rodriguez make Region 8 First-Team volleyball team

Miami Dade College volleyball players Yukie Futami and Marifranchi Rodriguez were named to the National Junior College Association’s Region 8 Woman’s First-Team.

Before the start of the season, the Lady Sharks were ranked second overall in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll, and finished the season ranked 11th overall.

Head Coach Origenes “Kiko” Benoit believed that his two leading sophomores were one of the main reasons the Lady Sharks made it to the NJCAA Division I National Championship, where they were eliminated in the first round pairings.

Futami was the only libero, a defensive specialist, named to Region 8 First-Team. Rodriguez, a middle blocker, finished third nationally in Division I in for kills with 542, and tied for 10th in hitting efficiency at 43 percent.

Both Futami and Rodriguez haven’t decided where they will play next season, according to Benoit.