BRONX, N.Y., September 5, 2019 – After winning just two matches across the first two seasons in the program's history, the Monroe College Express women's volleyball team's third year got off to a very promising start, as the Express picked up a 3-0 Region XV victory over Orange County Community College at Roberto Clemente State Park.
 
After a back-and-forth start to the opening set, four straight points for the Express, and 7-of-9 points put them ahead, 13-9. Another five straight points gave the Express a comfortable 18-11 advantage, but four in a row for the Colts made it a three-point game. The Express closed out the set by taking seven of the final nine points for a 25-17 victory and a 1-0 lead.
 
Monroe jumped out to a 7-3 lead to start off the second stanza. The Express slowly built upon their lead, eventually going up by 10 at 21-11. The Express kept their distance from the Colts to pick up a 25-15 win and go up, 2-0.
 
The third frame reached a 9-9 stalemate before the Express went on a big run, scoring nine straight points to nearly put the match away. The Colts continued to fight, but the Express' lead was too much to overcome, as Monroe closed it out with a 25-17 win and the program's second-ever straight set victory.
 
Dennyfer Hernandez led the Express with nine kills on the evening, adding three aces and four digs. Jeribeth Hodge added five kills, five aces and five digs. Julie Trowers also had five kills and the team's only block. Rachel Arias dished out a team-high 11 assists, while Smeritte Colon picked up 11 digs.
 
The Express will be back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 10, when they visit Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., for another Region XV matchup. The match it set to begin at 7 p.m.
 
Fans can follow the Express women's volleyball team on social media on the Express' Facebook page (Monroe Express), Twitter (@MonroeExpress) and Instagram (@MonroeExpress), as well as the Express women's volleyball's Instagram (@mcexpressvb).
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).