NEW ROCHELLE, NY – In an emotional final home slate for the Express, which may also serve as a Region 15 Championship preview, the Borough of Manhattan Community College Panthers took the blue and golf to five sets Tuesday evening, before Monroe was able to create separation in the final period to take the win. This was the Express' second five-set match of the season, avenging their home opening loss against the Dutchess Community College Falcons. 

The contest was a back and forth affair, seeing the Panthers take the first and third sets, while the Express took the second and fourth sets, then closing the game in the fifth. The first stanza was tightly contested, where the Panthers had their largest lead at six, with the score at 18-10. The Express then commenced with a 9-2 run, before BMCC scored the last five of seven points to take the set. Scoring runs would be a staple of the game, as it appeared that the Express would run away with the period after a 14-6 start, but the Panthers stormed back to get within five before dropping the period. 

After an underwhelming third set, key kills by Lesly Almonte and Lisanel Rodriguez would push the Express over the hump in the fourth to knot the contest at 2-2 for the final round. This period would also feature two lead changes and a late 9-4 run for the tie. 

The Express posted a .462 hitting percentage in the final set, which was their best mark of the contest. That drama did not subside, as the Panthers would not go away as the Express continued to score. A Xing Stewart-Greer solo block broke the scoring ice in the last period followed by her only service ace of the game. BMCC would take the lead off a kill from Josanne Lewis, but a timely score by Lisanel Rodriguez and two clutch blocks by Jaylinne Mulgrave West would begin the small separation that would be key in the Express' victory. Soumayatou Yaogo would come alive with two consecutive kills to raise the lead to three points. Ultimately, the Rodriguez sisters would have their hands all over the end of the fifth, as a Luisanni Rodriguez service ace would put the contest at match point, and a Lisanel Rodriguez kill would settle the score at 15-11 and the final at 3-2. 

Lisanel Rodriguez would anchor the Express offensively with 25 points, 24 kills and 21 digs. Almonte followed behind with seven points, seven kills, and four digs, while Yaogo added seven kills. West had a game-high six blocks. Valery Nunez also had 21 digs, as Luisanni Rodriguez dished out 37 assists.

For the Panthers, Josanne Lewis led all scorers with 24 points, along with 22 kills, 10 digs, and two service aces. Emmanuella Aurel registered 12 points, 11 kills, 15 digs, four assists, and one block. Xheni Doci alotted 35 assists.

Monroe led the game with 72.5 points, 48 kills on .137 hitting percentage, 68 digs, 15 blocks nine service aces. The Panthers finished with more assists (41).

The Express travel to their hometown rival Wednesday (Oct. 12) for a Region 15 matchup against the Bronx Community College Broncos. 

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 35 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe College marching band, and the newly added esports and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 14 teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
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