SUFFERN, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 4 Monroe - College Bronx women's volleyball team made history on Saturday, October 28, as the Express captured both the Region 15 and North Atlantic A District Championships for the first time in program history. Monroe earned these accomplishments by defeating Orange County Community College in the semifinals, 3-1, and then knocking off defending Region 15 Champion Dutchess Community College in the title game, 3-0. Both matches took place on the campus of Rockland Community College.
 
As a result, Monroe – Bronx (22-1) has earned the automatic bid into the NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball National Tournament, which is scheduled to begin on Thursday, November 9, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The full bracket will be announced later this upcoming week. This will be the Express' second straight appearance in the national tournament. 
 
Sophomore outside hitter Lisanel Rodriguez, second-year outside hitter Luisanni Rodriguez, and sophomore libero Valery Nunez were named to the All-Region 15 Tournament team. Thanks to her strong performance throughout the regional playoffs, Lisanel Rodriguez was selected as the Region 15 Tournament's Most Valuable Player. 
 
"The ladies at Monroe Express accomplished the goal that was set at the beginning of the season in August," Monroe College – Bronx Women's Volleyball Head Coach Odaly Aponte-Orta said. "They did it together. They believed in themselves, and their dedication and hard work made them a winner."
 
In Monroe's semifinal victory over Orange County (11-10), set scores were 25-13, 21-25, 25-6, and 25-16.
 
Lisanel Rodriguez tallied a double-double with 20 kills and 11 digs, while scoring a pair of service aces. Luisanni Rodriguez also had a double-double with 35 assists and 12 digs, while executing two put downs. She also registered her 1,000^th career assist during the contest and now has 1,052 assists in her illustrious career. Sophomore outside hitter Selena Mitchell provided 10 kills, seven service aces, and six digs. Nunez generated 15 digs and eight assists. Rookie middle blocker Nisa Llano scored 10 successful attacks while adding a pair of digs.
 
During the Express' championship win over Dutchess (24-5), set scores were 25-21, 25-22, and 25-16. The Falcons were receiving votes in the national poll heading into today's pair of contests. 
 
The win did not come easy for Monroe, as Dutchess led by as many as five in the opening set, had a four-point advantage in the second game, and then had an early three-point benefit in the third stanza. However, Monroe rallied each time to not only jump out in front but to also secure the set-victory three times in three chances, on their way to capturing the Region 15 and North Atlantic A District Titles. 
 
Lisanel Rodriguez and Luisanni Rodriguez each notched another double-double, with the former generating 18 kills and 16 digs, while the latter produced 31 assists and 13 digs, in addition to three service aces. Nunez provided 15 digs and three assists, while Mitchell scored eight kills and anchored the defense with 12 digs. Llanos had another strong match on the attack with seven put downs. 
 
"The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards," Aponte-Orta said. "Nationals in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, here we come!"
 
Check out MonroeExpress.com, as well as our social media channels, for all the latest updates regarding the upcoming NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball National Tournament. 

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).