Lady Sharks Finish Season Ranked 6th In The Country In Volleyball
The Lady Sharks won two of four games this weekend at the National Junior College Athletic Association National Volleyball Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas to finish the season ranked sixth in the country.
Miami Dade College won games versus Jefferson College and Snow College during the three-day tournament to finish the season with an 18-5 record.
“I am proud of the great season we had,” defensive specialist Kiaraliz Perez said. “We placed sixth at nationals and it sounds good to me but I’m not so satisfied because I know we could give more and go further.”
The Lady Sharks won their first round match-up versus Jefferson College on Thursday (25-22, 25-11 and 25-17). Outside hitter Erika Asencio had 13 points and 11 kills, defensive specialist Kiarliz Perez added 29 digs and sophomore Carolina Takahashi contributed 24 assists.
Miami Dade College lost later that day (25-21, 23-25, 23-25 and 22-25) in a close matchup in the quarter finals versus New Mexico Military Institute. Asencio led the Lady Sharks with 22 points and 21 kills. Perez added 31 digs and freshman Romina Cornelio contributed 22.5 points and 17 digs.
The Lady Sharks rebounded on Friday, winning the consultation game versus Snow College (22-25, 25-20, 25-18 and 25-21). Asencio had 22 digs and 11.5 points, Cornelio had 16 points and 13 digs and defensive specialist Briyith Prado finished with 25 digs in 17 minutes.
Miami Dade College lost their final game on Saturday versus Florida SouthWestern State College (25-19, 25-23 and 25-20). Cornelio had 12 points and 10 kills, Takahashi added 33 kills and outside hitter Janelly Ceopa contributed 12.5 points and 11 kills.
The loss to the Buccaneers was the Lady Sharks’ third to FSW this season. Despite the season-ending defeat, the Lady Sharks were happy to win 18 games, capture a sixth straight Florida College System Activities Association State Title and win two games at the National Tournament.
“Getting to play Nationals is something incredible,” said Ceopa, a sophomore. “Playing against very good teams and meeting excellent players. I am very happy to have been able to enjoy that experience twice.”
