Miami Dade Survives Five-Set Thriller vs. No. 8 Odessa to Advance

Coach Benoit's squad showed championship composure on Thursday night, surviving a grueling five-set showdown with No. 8 Odessa College to earn a victory in the Elite Eight round of the DI NJCAA National Tournament. With the win, the Sharks improve to 26–2 and move on after one of their toughest tests of the season.

The Sharks opened the match with purpose, hitting .293 in the first set while controlling the tempo through its offense. Azra Arslanoglu, Angelica Rodríguez, and Luyeisy Marquez-Moreno provided the early scoring punch, and the Sharks used a 10–4 run to establish immediate momentum on their way to a 25–21 decision.

Miami Dade doubled its lead moments later, closing out the second set 25–23 behind strong sideout efficiency and steady setting from Eleonora Gicheva, who guided Miami Dade's attack all night long.

The Wranglers turned the match around in the third, converting at a .259 clip and capitalizing on extended rallies to edge the Sharks 31–29 in a marathon frame. Odessa carried that surge into the fourth set, building an early lead and never surrendering it as they evened the match with a 25–19 result.

Facing a fifth set against a surging opponent, Miami Dade delivered in the biggest moments. The Sharks surged ahead 10–6 behind kills from Arslanoglu and Marquez-Moreno, plus a key ace from Luana Borsatto. Odessa fought back to within 14–13, but the Sharks executed on match point, with Marquez-Moreno finishing the final ball to secure the 15–13 victory.

Miami Dade totaled 71 kills and a .205 hitting percentage in the match, while Odessa closed with 62 kills and a .195 mark. The Sharks' defensive play down the stretch, anchored by Mejía Betancur's backcourt work and timely blocks from de Lima Varela and Arslanoglu, proved crucial in closing out the match.

The Sharks advance to the Semi Finals where they'll take on #4 ranked Northeastern Junior College. First serve is scheduled for 7 PM CT.