VALHALLA, N.Y., September 17, 2019 – After its 2-0 lead disappeared, the Monroe College Express women's volleyball team persevered on Tuesday, rebounding in the final set to pick up a 3-2 victory over Region XV foe Westchester Community College on Tuesday. The Express move to 3-0 on the year, all Region XV matches, while the Vikings fall to 1-2 in their first three matches.
 
After trailing in the opening frame, 10-6, a five-point run by the Express put them ahead, 11-10. After a 14-14 stalemate shortly after, Monroe took 8-of-9 points to take a commanding 22-15 lead, eventually rolling to a 25-16 win to open the match.
 
Monroe fell into a five-point hole early in the second set, but six straight points gave the Express a 12-11 edge. After the Vikings broke the streak with a kill, the Express went on another six-point run to take an 18-12 lead. The Vikings inched their way back in, getting within two when the Express had set point, but Monroe held on late to take a 25-22 win and 2-0 lead in the match.
 
After ceding their lead in the first two sets, the Vikings managed to hang on throughout the third game. The set was tied up at nine before the Vikings scored four in a row. The Express got within two at 18-16, but the Vikings then picked up 6-of-7 points to reach set point at 24-17. The Express kept it going by picking up the next point, but a service error gave it right back and kept the match going with a 25-18 win for Westchester.
 
The fourth frame was all Express from the start, as Monroe went up, 4-0, and later took a 7-2 lead. The Vikings chipped away and tied the set up at 11, and carried that momentum to a 22-18 lead late in the game. The Express erased a 23-19 lead with four straight points, but the Vikings regrouped and picked up the final two points to win, 25-23, and force the deciding fifth set.
 
Monroe had the early advantage in the final frame, taking a 5-2 lead. After a point by the Vikings, Monroe picked up seven of the next eight points to take a comfortable 12-4 advantage. The Vikings tried to battle back with two straight points, but the Express closed the door by winning the final three for a 15-6 win and a 3-2 victory in the match.
 
Dennyfer Hernandez led the Express with 12 kills on Tuesday, hitting a solid .360 in the match. She added a team-high nine digs while adding four assists and a block. Luz Frias and Julie Trowers threw down eight kills apiece. Jeribeth Hodges dished out 18 assists, while Rachel Arias followed with nine. Smeritte Colon served up a team-high seven aces.
 
The Express get a day off before taking to the road once again for their first non-region match of the season. Monroe visits Union County College on Thursday, Sept. 19, for a 7 p.m. match with the Owls.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus as of the fall of 2017, has 12 varsity and junior varsity teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter (@MonroeExpress) and Instagram (@MonroeExpress).