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Women's Volleyball 8/11/2022 10:06:00 AM Habtom Keleta - Asst. Athletics Director for Communications

Former Coach of the Year Washington leads Lions volleyball squad in new season

'21 GCAC COY returns to Sun Conference to guide FMU Lions volleyball program

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - First year head coach Jazmine Washington is no stranger to winning; the former Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year was brought in to lead the team to the promise land. Much like Washington's former squad, last season, the Lions volleyball team saw success and finished third in the conference after falling to Ave Maria in the semi-final round of the tourney.

"I want passionate players; girls that care about the sport," said Coach Washington. "I played in the GCAC and later coached in the conference, but I was actually originally recruited by Northwood University, which was a member of the Sun Conference, so I played my freshman year in South Florida before transferring to Philander Smith College in Little Rock. It was a major adjustment going from a PWI to an HBCU, but I made the best of it."

Washington and the Lions volleyball team are preparing for the season opener on Friday, August 19 as they host the two-time NAIA and defending national champions, Missouri Baptist. First serve is at 5 p.m. on the campus of St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens due to a tournament that was originally set to be played at St. Thomas.

Washington explained her coaching style which has been effective so far during her short career.

"I'm all about structure and having our team put in the work to actually be the best team, it's not something that's just handed to you," said Coach Washington. "We've been working hard, doing three-a-days for camp as we prepare for the season opener against Missouri Baptist. Seeing all the hard work the ladies have been putting in, and making it flow like a system is the best feeling ever," said Washington.

Below is a breakdown of each player currently on the Lions volleyball roster.

What Coach Washington says:

1 - Tyla Finley - FR - "Very athletic and agile individual; our fastest defensive specialist, fighting for the libero position"
2 - Olivia Dodd - SO - "New to indoor volleyball, very talented beach player with a dynamic skill set"
3 - Caroline Souza - JR - "A strong candidate for conference Player of the Year; a powerhouse outside hitter"
4 - Annayah McKnight - JR - "Very vocal player with plenty of athleticism"
5 - Ludmilla Souza - JR "Lefty with a strong volleyball IQ; new incoming setter"
6 - Kimberle Correa - SR - "Our senior powerhouse middle hitter"
7 - Victoria Fernandez - JR - "Transfer from St. Thomas; a very agile defensive specialist pushing for the libero position"
8 - Shainell Taylor - SR - "Lefty transfer from Philander Smith College; very versatile player, plays setter, right front and libero"
9 - Mar Danes - SR - "Big cannon; very diverse player playing as an outside hitter and a defensive specialist"
10 - Rafaela Nogueria - JR - "Ambidextrous hitter, hitting all front row positions"
11 - Augustina Busque - SR - "Senior setter and strong candidate for conference Setter of the Year"
12 - Daja Newton - SO - "One of the hardest workers on the team; very coachable and eager to learn"
13 - Erica Robinson - SO - "Coachable player; very receptive and vocal middle hitter"
14 - Maria Rodriguez - SR - "Captain, great leadership skills, plays multiple positions; very versatile"
15 - Kira Staudenmeir - FR - "Freshman setter, very coachable, passionate player"
17 - Aryanna Carter - FR - "Freshman defensive specialist; one of the hardest workers on the team"
24 - Azmabeth Infante - SR - "Fourth-year senior; recovering from an injury, but contributes as a defensive specialist"
30 - Arianna Ortiz - SO - "Smallest player on the team, yet one of the best float servers we have"

Click here to view the entire 2022 FMU Lions volleyball schedule.

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Players Mentioned

#24 Azmabeth Infante: RS/OH/MB; 6' 0"; Junior

#9 Mar Danes: OH/RS; 5' 7"; Junior

#5 Olivia Dodd: DS; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#14 Maria Rodriguez: OH/DS; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#30 Arianna Ortiz: DS; 5' 1"; Freshman

#8 Erica Robinson: OH/DS; 5' 7"; Freshman

#12 Victoria Fernandez: DS; 5' 3"; Sophomore

#1 Tyla Finley: DS; 5' 3"; Freshman

#3 Caroline Souza: OH; 5' 7"; Senior

#5 Ludmilla Souza: S; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#24 Azmabeth Infante
: 6' 0"; Junior
: RS/OH/MB

#9 Mar Danes
: 5' 7"; Junior
: OH/RS

#5 Olivia Dodd
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: DS

#14 Maria Rodriguez
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: OH/DS

#30 Arianna Ortiz
: 5' 1"; Freshman
: DS

#8 Erica Robinson
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: OH/DS

#12 Victoria Fernandez
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: DS

#1 Tyla Finley
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: DS

#3 Caroline Souza
: 5' 7"; Senior
: OH

#5 Ludmilla Souza
: Freshman
: S

Florida Memorial University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned