Lady Sharks Volleyball Finishes On Top As Champions
The Miami Dade College Lady Sharks were crowned the 2016 NJCAA Volleyball National Champions.
The Lady Sharks Volleyball Team finished their season on top of the nation and state of Florida. On Saturday, November 19, 2016 the Miami Dade College Lady Sharks Volleyball Team were crowned the 2016 NJCAA Volleyball National Champions after they shutout Iowa Western Community College 3-0 (25-20, 25-13, 25-18). During the national tournament, the Lady Sharks went undefeated shutting out each opponent, they faced Mineral Area College 3-0, Salt Lake Community College 3-0, Santa Fe College 3-0, and Iowa Western Community College 3-0.
Before their route to claiming the national title, the Lady Sharks made a stop in Bradenton, FL to claim the FCSAA Volleyball State Champions Title. The Lady Sharks helped each opponent empty any doubt they had on if the Lady Sharks were deserving of the state title. MDC finished the state tournament undefeated defeating St. Petersburg College 3-1; Daytona State College 3-2; and Santa Fe College 3-0.
Along the Lady Sharks postseason journey, several members received accolades for their performance. During the national tournament player Massiel Matos was named the National Championship Dorothy L. Brown Most Valuable Player; and players Sun Wenting and Leidy "Manuela" Vargas were named to the 2016 Division 1 Volleyball National All-Tournament Team. Head Coach Origenes "Kiko" Benoit was named the National Championship Coach of the Tournament. In the state tournament, player Camila Hernandez received FCSAA All-Tournament Team honors alongside Matos, Vargas, and Wenting.
The Lady Sharks performance this season is a great example of focus, discipline, and perseverance. After a disappointing 13-17 season in 2015, the Lady Sharks began their season 6-4 and then were faced with the cancellation of 12 games due to Hurricane Matthew, a bomb threat on campus, and a Hillary Clinton speech. Throughout the adversity, the Lady Sharks managed to remain resilient. As a result of staying the course, the women finished the season 21-5 and number 1 in the nation and state of Florida.