Lady Sharks Win State Championship, Prepare For National Tournament

The Miami Dade College volleyball team won its first state championship since 2010 after dispatching Sante Fe College, Polk State College, and the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota.

Tournament play took place from Nov. 6-8 in Jacksonville. The Lady Sharks have won 42 state championships.

“I really haven’t realized it yet, but it’s a great feeling to be the best team in the state,” said sophomore middle blocker Eirini Chatziefstradiadou. “It shows how much hard work we have put into this season.”

The Lady Sharks ranked No. 5 in the country now head to Casper, WY for the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament Nov. 20-22.

During the state tournament, MDC beat Polk State College (20-25, 25-14, 10-25, 25-20, 15-11) on Nov. 6; Sante Fe College (25-20, 25-23, 25-14) on Nov. 7 and the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota  (25-21, 25-12, 25-19) on Nov. 8.

Chatziefstradiadou was named the most outstanding player of the tournament. Katie Hogan, Melissa Murphy, Silvia Galeano and Chatziefstradiadou, were named to the Florida College System Activities Association  All-Tournament Team.  Head Coach Origenes “Kiko” Benoit was named FCSAA State Coach of the year.

The Lady Sharks now turn their attention to the national tournament. The team’s first matchup is against a familiar foe, Polk State College, who they have defeated three times this year.

“Our goal has always been to make it to nationals and now that we are here we just want to win,” Benoit said.