NEW ROCHELLE, NY – Coming into the Region 15 women's volleyball championship, #1 seed Monroe College-Bronx Express defeated the #8 seed Orange County Community College Colts in three straight sets (3-0, 25-15, 25-21, 25-18) to punch a ticket to the semifinal round. The Express return to the second round of the tournament for the first time since the 2019 season. In addition, the Monroe-Bronx athletics family celebrated Think Pink Night, honoring breast cancer awareness, and Sophomore Day, honoring DS Emely Diaz, RS Yorlennis Nunez and DS Esmerelda Villagomez.

The Express opened up their quarterfinal match, scoring the first six of the set's eight points to get out to a hot start.     Monroe would go on to give up a small run to the Colts before a Lisanel Rodriguez service ace swung the momentum back, where the Express would go on an extended run to win by 10. 

The Colts would then go on to take their first lead, where a Maggie Goodenough service ace would put them in front 10-6. A pair of Valery Nunez service aces and a Soumayatou Yaogo score allowed the Express to regain the lead. Both teams would go on to trade the lead, before a Lisanel Rodriguez kill secured the stanza, and the game.

Lisanel Rodriguez led all scorers with 15 points, 14 kills, 14 digs and one service ace. Lesly Almonte scored nine points with 8 kills, while Soumayatou Yaogo also scored nine points with seven kills, six digs, one black and one service ace. Valery Nunez pitched in 19 digs. 

The Express led the game in all statistical categories with 45 points, 36 kills, 33 assists. 58 digs, eight service aces and one block.

#1 Monroe Express travel Saturday (Oct. 22) for the Region 15 championship tournament semifinals and finals (if necessary) at the SUNY Orange campus in Middletown, NY. The semifinal matchup will begin at 12 PM, and 2 PM (if necessary).

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.
 
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).