Miami, FL. – For the fifth time in five years, the Miami Dade College volleyball team will be heading to the NJCAA National Tournament after defeating the Polk State College to claim the Region VIII Championship. The Lady Sharks had to battle through Florida State College at Jacksonville, winning in three sets (25-18, 25-18, 25-12) before taking on Polk State College in the championship match that went to four sets 23-25, 25-20, 25-12, 25-21.
The opening match of the Region VIII Championships was a battle between your Lady Sharks and as they played College of Central Florida. Where MDC went to four sets with scores at 25-22, 17-25, 20-25, 21-25.
Where Tiziana Baumrukova had 44 assists, 16 digs and two aces, followed by her teammate Scherine Dahoue had 12 kills and nine digs, and also contributing to the lady sharks was Valeria Santos who had 11 digs.
It didn't get any easier for Miami Dade in the second game, as the Lady Sharks took on Florida State College at Jacksonville who took the match all way to five sets. In this match up both The lady Sharks and the Blue wave of Jacksonville were ready to go, with scores at 25-15, 23-25, 22-25, 25-17, and 8-15 handed Miami Dade college their first loss and broke Miami Dade's three season 69 match winning streak and knocked the reigning two time National Champions into the loser's bracket of the Region VIII Tournament. The last time the Lady Sharks of Miami Dade College lost was to Palm Beach State on October 24, 2016.
In Jacksonville's match up Baumrukova had 47 assists and 12 digs, while Samaret Caraballo had 16 digs and Valeria Alegrias also had 16 kills.
Following the loss and heading to the losers bracket, Miami Dade College was matched up with familiar foe the Pioneers of Indian River State College.
In this Match up local Foe Indian River very familiar was prepared for a match that would go to four sets. With scores at 25-17,28-26, 23-25, and 25-21.
Where Tiziana had a whopping 53 assists and 14 digs, teammate Caraballo had 28 digs and Valeria Alegrias had 14 kills. With these resuts bringing our Lady Sharks back in the mix with a quarter final match against St. Petersburg State College.
In this match up with St. Petersburg, Our lady sharks were taken to the deep waters as match went all the way to five sets. With scores at 25-22, 24-26, 25-20, 20-25, and 15-11 with such close scores it secured our way to the Semi finals.
Tiziana Baumrukova had 41 assists, while teammates Scherine Dahoue had 15 kills and 12 digs along with 13 kills and 14 digs.
MDC Advances to Semi Final match for a rematch with recent foe The Blue Wave of Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Sundays Match ups
MDC Lady Sharks vs FSCJ Blue wave
Your Lady sharks swept 3-0 the Blue wave with scores at 25-18, 25-18 and 25-12. Where Tiziana had 21 assists, Scherine had 11 kills and two aces, and teammate Samaret had 18 digs. With these results your MDC Lady Sharks advance to the NJCAA Region VIII State Finals against rival foe Polk State College.
In the NJCAA Final match up between MDC and Polk was and extensive game going to four sets with a final score of 3-1 crowning your MDC Sharks NJCAA Region VIII State Champions and FCAA Southern Conference Champions. With scores 23-25, 25-20, 25-12, and finally 25-21. In the final match Tiziana had 50 assists one ace and eight digs, Scherine Dahoue had 12 digs, 16 kills and two blocks, lastly Samaret contributed with 21 digs.
The Lady Sharks will now await their seeding selection for the NJCAA National Tournament. Miami Dade College will travel to Hutchinson, Kansas to play in the NJCAA DI National Tournament from November 15-17.