ROCHESTER, MN – Monroe Express women's volleyball took to the court Thursday afternoon in the NJCAA National Championship tournament for the first time in program history. Despite a valiant effort, the Express fell to the Minnesota State Community College Spartans (0-3, 9-25, 7-25, 10-25) in the first round and to the Northampton Community College Spartans (0-3, 19-25, 14-25, 19-25) in the first bracket of the consolation round. 

Monroe 0, Minnesota 3 (0-3, 9-25, 7-25, 10-25)
In the first round of the national tournament, the Express took on hometown Minnesota State that held Monroe to their lowest scoring output for the season. 

The Express broke the scoring ice with an Emily Diaz service ace, before an Emily Dehler service error gave Monroe their biggest advantage of the game at 2-1 in the first set. The Express were unable to get in a scoring rhythm and Minnesota ultimately closed out the match in three sets.

Monroe 0, Northampton 3 (0-3, 19-25, 14-25, 19-25)
The Express began the game falling behind 0-3, but eventually rallied to tie the set at 4-4 after a Lisanel Rodriguez kill from Luisanni Rodriguez. Both teams would trade points, until Monroe eventually took the lead 14-12 that was the result of two Laura Pinales service aces. The Spartans would go on to score nine of the set's last 12 points to take the period. 

Monroe would hang on closely in the third stanza after a Soumayatou Yaogo kill knotted the game at 9-9. Northampton would proceed to go on an 8-3 run, which caused enough separation to eventually settle the stanza at 19-25, and the game at 3-0.

The Express will continue in the consolation bracket Friday (Nov. 11) at 12 PM.

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).