Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -  It was a monumental day for the nationally ranked No. 6 Monroe College – Bronx women's volleyball team as they won a pair of Region 15 matches to close out the regular season, at Falcon Hall Gymnasium, on Saturday afternoon, October 21. The Express earned a win in straight sets over Orange County Community College and then they knocked off nationally ranked No. 10, and defending Region 15 Champions, Dutchess Community College by a score of 3-1.
 
Thanks to these two victories, Monroe – Bronx has clinched the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Region 15 Tournament. The Blue and Gold finish the regular season with an undefeated Region 15 record of 14-0, while bumping its overall record to 19-1. The Express have won 15 matches in a row.
 
Both Monroe – Bronx and Dutchess (20-4, 13-1 Region 15) were undefeated in regional play heading into its showdown match. The winner of the contest would be the No. 1 seed heading into the regional postseason. The Express earned the victory and will compete in the quarterfinal round of the Region 15 Tournament on Thursday evening, October 26. Opponent, time, and location will be announced on Sunday, October 22, but Monroe – Bronx will be the hosts.
 
"Today, our women's volleyball student-athletes played some great volleyball and exhibited their great potential," Monroe – College Bronx Women's Volleyball Head Coach Odaly Aponte-Orta said. "They are focused and committed to their team, school, and the coaches. Today, we witnessed some good volleyball. Can't wait to see what's ahead for us."
 
In the opening match against Orange County (8-8, 7-6 Region 15) set scores were 25-18, 25-15, and 25-17.
 
Leading the way for the Express was sophomore outside hitter Lisanel Rodriguez who slammed home eight kills, tallied 10 digs, and nailed two service aces. Classmate Valery Nunez anchored the defense with 20 digs, while scoring five service aces and adding four assists. Sophomore setter Luisanni Rodriguez had a strong match by leading all players with 15 assists, while playing good defense with seven digs and two blocks.
 
Second-year outside hitter Selena Mitchell produced nine kills and six digs, while sophomore defensive specialist Laura Pinales and classmate Haley Castaneda each produced six digs. Freshman defensive specialist Yasmel Molina recorded 13 bumps, while sophomore right side hitter Lesly Almonte added two kills and four digs. Freshman middle blocker Nisa Llanos generated seven kills and three blocks.
 
In the Express' triumph over Dutchess, in the battle of nationally ranked teams, set scores were 25-14, 25-27, 25-9, and 25-14.
 
Lisanel Rodriguez had a monster game with 25 kills, 21 digs, and four service aces. Nunez led all players with 38 digs, while also notching four assists and a duo of service aces. Luisanni Rodriguez registered a double-double with 34 assists and 14 digs, while slamming home a pair of kills. Almonte executed eight successful attacks, while picking up six digs and scoring two service aces.
 
Llanos had five put downs, while Molina registered six digs. Freshman middle blocker Chelsea Nolasco added three kills, while sophomore defensive specialist Laura Pinales had eight digs. 
 
Check out MonroeExpress.com, as well as our social media channels, for more updates regarding Monroe's Region 15 Quarterfinal Match that will take place on Thursday evening.

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.
 
For more information about the Monroe Express, please visit us at www.MonroeExpress.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Express), Twitter/X (@MonroeExpress), Instagram (@MonroeExpress), and Threads (@MonroeExpress).