A composite, method of making the composite and a pre-pre composite ply are provided. The composite includes a first layer, a second layer and a third layer. The first layer includes at least one ply of unidirectional tape. The second layer is adjacent the first layer and includes at least one composite ply. The at least one composite ply includes a thin continuous matrix ply sheet having a plurality of randomly oriented unidirectional tape segments thereon. The third layer is adjacent the second layer and includes at least one ply of unidirectional tape. The ceramic matrix composite provides about 15% to about 20% strength relative to a composite comprising all unidirectional plies and the ceramic matrix composite has a bending length of 3 cm to 25 cm based on a Shirley stiffness test.