These Lady Sharks Were Awarded Transfer Scholarships

Six players from the Miami Dade College volleyball team, which finished last season with a No. 6 national ranking, received scholarships to continue their athletic careers.   

Janelly Ceopa will attend the University of North Florida, Erika Asencio and Brenda Arango accepted offers to Park University in Missouri, Elena Bianchi is going to Iona College in New York, Camila Perez is transferring to Bloomfield University in New Jersey and Solaida Pierre will join the squad at Atlantis University in Miami. 

“Being part of MDC and the volleyball team has been a wonderful experience,” Ceopa said. “I am grateful for this opportunity.”

Lady Sharks Head Volleyball Coach Origenes “Kiko” Benoit called the players an integral part of the team the past two years. Last year’s squad finished with an 18-5 record and won their sixth straight state title. 

“They were part of the team that won back-to-back state tournaments and [finished] top-10 at the national tournament,” Benoit said. “They have done a great [job] for us and that’s why they were looked at and got full-ride scholarship[s] to attend those schools.”

• Ceopa, a five-foot-ten outside hitter, was second on the team in points (280) and kills (253). She was a second-team All-Suncoast Conference selection and was selected as the Most Outstanding Player at the state tournament.
• Erika Asencio, a five-foot-nine outside hitter, finished the season with 204.5 points and 181 kills. She was first-team all-conference in 2021.
• Brenda Arango, a six-foot middle blocker, was tied for the team lead in blocks with 80.
• Camila Perez, a six-foot middle blocker/right-side hitter, defended the front zone with 48 kills, was second on the team with 43 blocks and added 79 points.
• Elena Bianchi, a five-foot-ten outside hitter/right-side hitter, scored 45.5 points, had 37 kills and 13 blocks.
• Solaida Pierre, a five-foot-ten outside hitter who played sparingly, had 15 kills.

Click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, The Hammerhead. For news tips, contact us at mdc.thereporter@gmail.com.