Sharks head back to National Championship Game
In a thrilling semifinal clash at the NJCAA National Tournament, the Miami Dade Sharks rallied past Barton Community College to secure a 3-1 victory (21-25, 25-16, 25-16, 25-17). With this win, the Sharks set up a highly anticipated third consecutive championship meeting with Florida Southwestern State College.
The match began with Barton taking the first set, leveraging efficient attacks and a .163 hitting percentage. Miami Dade stumbled early, committing 11 errors and managing a modest .085 hitting percentage. However, the Sharks rebounded decisively in the second set, led by Angelica Rodriguez's powerful swings and improved efficiency from their front line. Rodriguez tallied 15 kills on a .414 hitting percentage, anchoring a Miami Dade attack that hit an extraordinary .552 in the set.
In the third set, Miami Dade maintained their momentum, with standout performances from Juliana Laguado Raigosa and Katielle Alonzo. Laguado Raigosa delivered a team-high 16 kills on a .368 hitting clip, while Alonzo added 13 kills, helping Miami Dade dominate offensively. Barton struggled to find an answer, hitting only .069 in the set and failing to capitalize on their opportunities.
The fourth set saw a balanced effort from Miami Dade, with Luyeisy Marquez contributing 12 kills and strong defensive coverage from libero Mia Martinez, who recorded 27 digs. Setter Maria Clara Antunes orchestrated the offense with precision, dishing out 27 assists and adding two aces to keep the Cougars off balance. The Sharks closed out the match with a convincing .295 hitting percentage in the final set, silencing Barton's attempt at a comeback.
Defensively, Miami Dade showcased their depth and resilience. They out-dug Barton 82-63, with Martinez leading the charge. At the net, the Sharks' blocking unit, led by Esthefany Rabit and Paulina Agudelo Marin, contributed eight blocks to thwart Barton's hitters.
Despite Barton's best efforts, including standout performances from Phoebe Reyes (13 kills, .270) and Aubrey Olander (11 kills, .391), the Cougars couldn't sustain their early momentum. Miami Dade's balanced attack and defensive tenacity proved too much to handle.
The victory propels the Sharks into the national championship match, where they will face Florida Southwestern State College for the third straight year. Once again, the stage is set for an epic showdown between the Sunshine State rivals to see who'll raise the trophy in Clarksville, TN.