SHARKS HEAD BACK TO CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Miami Dade is heading back to the NJCAA Division I Volleyball National Championship match for the fourth straight year after a commanding 3–0 sweep of No. 4 Northeastern Junior College on Friday night at the Dunn Center in Clarksville, Tennessee. The Sharks controlled the tempo from the opening serve, winning 25–20, 25–19, 25–14 to move one win away from another national title.
Miami Dade set the tone early behind a clean and efficient first set, hitting .406 with 17 kills and just four errors. Angelica Rodriguez and Luyeisy Marquez-Moreno sparked the offense from both pins, while the Sharks' block anchored by Maria Fernanda de Lima Varela and Eduarda Fabricio, neutralized Northeastern's attackers and forced them into uncomfortable swings.
The momentum carried straight into Set 2, where the Sharks opened on a 6–0 run and never looked back. Libero Katianna Mejía Betancur continued to steady the backcourt, allowing Gicheva to run the offense in rhythm. The freshman setter finished with 32 assists, 13 digs, and three blocks while directing MDC to a .347 hitting percentage for the match.
Miami Dade delivered its sharpest defensive set in the third, limiting Northeastern to .000 hitting. Rodriguez took over late with six third-set kills, and Marquez-Moreno closed the door as the Sharks pulled away for a 25–14 finish.
Rodriguez led all scorers with 14 kills on .478 hitting, adding three blocks. Marquez-Moreno followed with 13 kills and three blocks, while Azra Arslanoglu chipped in seven kills. Maria Fernanda de Lima Varela posted five kills and four blocks, and Fabricio added five block assists to help MDC out-block Northeastern 15–4. Mejía Betancur anchored the defense with eight digs and flawless serve-receive.
With the victory, Miami Dade advances to the NJCAA Division I National Championship match, where the Sharks will face Florida SouthWestern in a highly anticipated showdown. The matchup marks the program's fourth consecutive appearance in the title match as MDC looks to bring another championship back to Miami, something the 305 has been longing for since 2017.
