THROGGS NECK, N.Y. - The nationally ranked No. 6 Monroe College - Bronx women's volleyball team earned another Region 15 victory on Tuesday, October 17, this time defeating Nassau Community College in straight sets. Set scores were 25-16, 25-23, and 25-11.

The Monroe - Bronx women's volleyball team hosted Breast Cancer Awareness Night to celebrate breast cancer survivors and pay tribute to those who tragically passed away from breast cancer. They also donned "Monroe Express Spikes Breast Cancer" t-shirts during warmups.

Regarding the aftermath of the match, Monroe - Bronx advances its Region 15 record to 11-0 which ties them for first overall with Dutchess Community College. The Express bump their overall record to 16-1.

Leading the way for the Express, was sophomore outside hitter Lisanel Rodriguez who slammed home eight kills and had 11 digs. Second-year libero Valery Nunez led all players with 13 digs, while scoring three service aces and providing a pair of assists. Sophomore setter Luisanni Rodriguez had a match-high 22 assists, while tallying two kills and four digs. Freshman middle blocker Nisa Llanos nailed seven kills, while classmate Chelsea Nolasco produced five kills and three digs.

Nassau (6-7, 5-6 Region 15) had brief early leads in both the first and second sets, but Monroe answered with big blitzes each time. In the first stanza, the Express went on a 5-0 run, capped off by a kill from Nolasco, to inflate their lead to 17-9. Monroe ended up taking the first frame, 25-16, to take a 1-0 lead in the match.

The Lions hung around in the second set, as a 7-1 run by the visiting team cut the Express' advantage to 16-15. However, Lisanel Rodriguez and Llanos turned the tide for Monroe by combing for back-to-back kills to give their team more breathing room. Later in the frame, Monroe earned a set-point opportunity, thanks to a kill by Luisanni Rodriguez, to make it 24-21. However, Nassau scored the next two points to pull to within one. The Express turned it around as an error by the Lions clinched the set for Monroe and a 2-0 benefit in the contest.

The Express never trailed during the third game. With the score 12-8, the Blue and Gold scored six unanswered points to earn a more comfortable advantage at 18-8. Nassau responded by scoring two of the next three points. However, Monroe finished the evening strong with a 6-1 run. It was capped off by a service ace courtesy of Lisanel Rodriguez that clinched the set, 25-11, and the match, 3-0, both in favor of Monroe - Bronx.

For the Express, freshman defensive specialist Yasmel Molina anchored the defense with six digs, while second-year outside hitter Laura Pinales added four digs of her own. Sophomore outside hitter Selena Mitchell added a pair of kills, a duo of blocks, and five bumps. 

Monroe - Bronx will have a Region 15 showdown against Queensborough Community College, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium, on Thursday, October 19. First serve is set for 7:00 p.m. It's Sophomore Day as Monroe College - Bronx will honor 10 sophomores from the women's volleyball team during a ceremony prior to the start of the match.

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 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 seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
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