Miami Dade falls in national championship match

Photo courtesy of Lake-Sumter State College
Photo courtesy of Lake-Sumter State College

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (November 19, 2018) - Miami Dade College's run at a three-peat ended with a straight-set defeat to the College of Southern Idaho in the NJCAA Division I Volleyball National Championship match.

CSI swept Miami Dade by the scores of 25-22, 25-12 and 25-13 to win its 12th national championship. 

The Sharks had to survive a five-set marathon against Iowa Western Community College the night before just to make the finals. 

Polk State College, whose national championship aspirations ended with a quarterfinal loss, bounced back to win the seventh-place match in straight sets over Navarro (Texas) College. 

Miami Dade's Valeria Alegrias and Scherine Dahoue and Polk State's Mariane Cassiano were named to the all-tournament team. 

In the Division II ranks, Lake-Sumter State College made its first-ever national tournament appearance, in any sport. 

After the 11th-seeded Lakehawks lost their opening match in straight sets to Lincoln Land (Ill.) College, they picked up their first national tournament victory over Oakland (Mich.) Community College (3-0). 

Lake-Sumter State lost in the consolation bracket semifinals to Catawba Valley (N.C.) Community College.