MDC volleyball team wins national title, and ‘lost’ e-mail plays key role
Eleonora Gicheva was beginning to lose hope.
A little over one year ago, Gicheva -- a 5-foot-8 setter from Sofia, Bulgaria -- was determined to play college volleyball in the United States, preferably in Miami.
At first, she used an agency, which helped her land some scholarship offers … but not in cities that she found desirable.
So, she took matters into her own hands – literally – as she sent out more than 100 emails to prospective college coaches.
One e-mail proved to be life-changing as it led her to winning a national championship as Miami Dade College’s starting setter.
Indeed, the Sharks beat Florida SouthWestern State College, 25-20, 25-20, 25-19, in the national junior-college final on Saturday night in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Florida SouthWestern had won the three previous national titles, and the Buccaneers had eliminated MDC in each of those seasons. This season, though, the Sharks (29-2) got their revenge, defeating Florida SouthWestern in their final three matchups.
In addition, in the postseason, the Sharks went 7-0 with six victories in straight sets, giving them their 11th national title. It was also the Sharks’ first national championship since 2017, and it might not have happened had MDC coach Kiko Benoit not “found” Gicheva.
“I’m super grateful for the opportunity (Benoit) gave me,” Gicheva said. “Winning a national title – especially as a freshman – made this the perfect season. And then I made the all-tournament team for the whole nation – it’s more than I could have ever dreamed of.”
However, Gicheva’s dream almost never happened.
Here’s why:
On Nov. 12, 2024, Gicheva sent an email to Benoit. On the subject field, she wrote:
HELLO MDC VOLLEYBALL, FROM A BULGARIAN SETTER
In the email, Gicheva – who was 17 years old at the time – included video highlights of her playing volleyball; a recap of her excellent academic record; and her history of having represented Bulgaria in the Under-18 European Beach Volleyball Championships, playing in Greece, Spain, Latvia and Romania.
There was just one problem.
That e-mail landed in Benoit’s “junk” basket, where it remained – unbeknownst to Benoit – for 48 days.
But that’s when fate intervened. Benoit lost the setter he had planned on starting in 2025 as Maria Clara Antunes went back to Brazil due to a family-health situation.
As that was happening, Benoit used the late-December holidays to clean out his junk basket, and it was there that he saw Gicheva’s “Bulgarian setter” e-mail.
“I rarely check my junk basket,” Benoit said. “I had hundreds of emails. I almost hit delete, but I decided to read her e-mail.”
Benoit was immediately impressed with her highlights … but also skeptical.
“Usually e-mails are coming from an agency,” Benoit said, “not the player.”
Benoit finally called her on Dec. 30, 2024 – just one day before New Year’s Eve.
“I was thinking, ‘This kid looks good, but she’s probably no longer available because it’s been more than a month since she sent her e-mail.”
As it turned out, Gicheva was still available – although losing hope as mentioned above.
A key person in making this happen was Alex Koleva, a former MDC player from Bulgaria. Benoit called Koleva -- who is three years older than Gicheva – looking for a scouting report on this prospective player.
Meanwhile, Gicheva also called Koleva, looking for the scoop on what it’s like to play for MDC.
“Alex had played for my same club team, Slavia,” Gicheva said. “She said she was happy with her experience at Miami Dade College. She gave me advice and tips.”
Gicheva also did some digging on MDC, and she saw that the program was highly ranked on a yearly basis.
And then there was the weather …
“Coming from a small country where it gets cold in the winter,” Gicheva said, “I was ready to come to Miami where it’s hot.”
Gicheva has certainly missed her family and friends these past several months. But she’s made plenty of new friends at MDC.
She also turned 19 years old while playing at nationals.
“That was a great birthday present,” Gicheva said. “It was perfect.”
THIS AND THAT
- MDC’s Luyeisy Marquez-Moreno, a 5-9 outside hitter, was named MVP at nationals. She has signed to play at Florida Atlantic next season. Ironically, her mother, Colombian native Yasmina Moreno, won a national title for MDC in 1999. At 5-10, she played middle blocker.
- Two MDC players have signed with St. John’s: 6-1 right-side hitter Angelica Rodriguez; and 5-5 defensive specialist Katianna Mejia-Betancur. Rodriguez is from Costa Rica. Mejia-Betancur is from Colombia.