Sophomore Alonzo Leading Lady Sharks During Perfect Season
The Lady Sharks volleyball team is off to a 16-0 start this season, making them the top-ranked community college team in the nation.
They have defeated two top-five programs—defending national champion Florida Southwestern State College, who was the top-ranked team at the time, and Salt Lake Community College—during the run.
A huge part of their success can be attributed to the dominant play of sophomore outside hitter Katielle Alonzo.
The 19-year-old has had various notable performances this year, including a breakout game against FSW on Sept. 17 in which Alonzo led the Lady Sharks with 22 kills and 24.5 total points. Her play propelled Miami Dade College to a 3-2 win against the Buccaneers.
This season, Alonzo leads the team with 151 kills, 3.6 kills per set and 167.5 total points in 13 games played. She is also third on the squad with a .370 hitting percentage.
“Katielle has contributed a lot to the team this year,” said libero Mia Martinez. “When it comes to playing, she has put on the cape and has shown incredible potential on the court.”
That production is on par with last season when she was second on the team with 2.51 kills per set and third with 193 total kills. She also contributed 16 kills in the national championship game versus FSW.
Alonzo started playing volleyball in her hometown of Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic when she was seven-years-old. Her favorite player is libero Brenda Castillo who stars on the Dominican Republic national team.
“I like everything about volleyball,” Alonzo said.
Before coming to MDC, Alonzo gained experience playing for various club teams, in high school and the Dominican Republic’s U19 and U20 squads.
Alonzo won the best outside hitter award in back-to-back years at the Pan American U19 cup. She has gained international experience representing the Dominican Republic in Croatia, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hungary.
“She’s a very strong player,” said Sharks head coach Origenes “Kiko” Benoit. “Having the ability or experience to play against the best players around the world in her age range is definitely bringing a lot to the table.”
Alonzo left the Dominican Republic last year after Benoit offered her a scholarship. The decision was an easy one—the Lady Sharks have played in back-to-back national championship games—and because her father lives eight minutes from the Kendall Campus.
“In every game she looks for quick and effective solutions, contributing 100% to the team,” said Sharks middle blocker Esthefany Rabit. “She is a player you can always rely on for every point, and I admire how she keeps calm when we play [against] strong teams.”
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