There is no doubt that Miami Dade College’s volleyball team dominated this past season. The Lady Sharks had an overall record of 21-5, winning the National Junior College Athletic Association national title this past November.
However, a championship title was no easy accomplishment for this culturally diverse roster of 14 players.
This year’s squad featured players hailing from Brazil, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, United States, China and Colombia. Among the languages spoken by the players: Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin and English.
“It was hard at first,” said Dominican right side hitter Deborah Constanzo. “We didn’t know each other but then we started spending more time together and becoming a team on and off the court.”
Players such as outside hitters Rafaella Bonifacio from Brazil, and Sun Wenting from China were new to the team this past season. They quickly demonstrated their worth.
Bonifacio averaged 0.40 blocks per set and 2.15 kills per set. Wenting led the team in hitting percentage (.353) and added 272 digs and 64 kills.
“Volleyball is amazing. It brings us together. We talk in English so it’s not a big problem,” Wenting said. “At first it is hard. I didn’t speak any English but now I speak better.”
However, they agree that the diversity strengthened them.
“It was a good experience, learning new languages and adapting to the team and the other players,” Bonifacio said. “It was difficult to spend so much time together with people I didn’t know, but then after playing for a while, we became closer.”
The Lady Sharks led the NJCAA in kills per set (13.92) and hitting percentage (0.317). They were second in the country in assists per set (12.96).
Despite that, the Lady Sharks started the season on an average note.
“We didn’t have the whole team until about the middle of the season,” Benoit said. “It was pretty rough. We started 6-4.”
The struggles united the players. They regrouped to win the last ten games of the year on route to a national title.
“We live in Miami. Miami is a multicultural city. We really represent what Miami is,” said Lady Sharks Head Volleyball Coach Origenes “Kiko” Benoit. “Working hard and do what you love; do the best that you can. That’s the main thing.”
