Miami Dade College Opens National Tournament with a Resilient Victory

The Miami Dade Sharks opened their national tournament campaign in commanding fashion, defeating Eastern Arizona College in a four-set match at Austin Peay in Clarksville, TN. Despite a slow start, the Sharks demonstrated their depth and determination, winning the match 25-27, 25-16, 25-19, 25-20 to advance in the tournament.

The match began with a tightly contested first set, where Eastern Arizona edged Miami Dade 27-25. The Sharks struggled to find their rhythm, posting a modest .039 hitting percentage as Eastern Arizona capitalized on timely kills and defensive plays. However, the early loss seemed to ignite a spark in the Sharks, who entered the second set with renewed focus and determination.

In the second set, Miami Dade delivered a masterclass in offensive efficiency, recording a staggering .412 hitting percentage. Angelica Rodriguez emerged as a key figure in the team's turnaround, contributing crucial kills that fueled the Sharks' dominant 25-16 victory. This set the tone for the remainder of the match,

The third set continued the Sharks' momentum. With a more balanced attack, Miami Dade controlled the pace of play, taking a 25-19 win. Players like Juliana Laguado Raigosa and Esthefany Rabit provided consistent offensive pressure, while libero Mia Martinez anchored the defensive effort with exceptional backcourt play. Martinez's 31 digs throughout the match highlighted her ability to thwart Eastern Arizona's offensive attempts and keep rallies alive for her team.

In the fourth and final set, Miami Dade sealed the victory with a decisive 25-20 performance. Once again, the team's depth and composure were on full display. Laguado Raigosa contributed 14 kills and two service aces, finishing the match with an impressive 16.5 points. Meanwhile, Rabit added 10 kills and two aces of her own, proving to be a vital contributor on both sides of the ball. Setter Maria Clara Antunes expertly directed the team's offense, tallying 28 assists and adding a service ace to her performance.

Overall, the Sharks' collective effort proved too much for Eastern Arizona. Miami Dade led in every major statistical category, including kills (62-39) and total points (78-55) and will look to do the same thing when they take on Missouri State- West Plains in the Quarterfinals.