THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 10 Monroe College – Bronx women's volleyball team began the Region 15 portion of its schedule with a convincing victory over Kingsborough Community College, in straight sets, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Thursday evening, September 14. Set scores were 25-11, 25-6, and 25-19.
 
The Express (6-1, 1-0 Region 15) never trailed at any point in the match. Kingsborough (1-3, 0-2 Region 15) tied it up early in both the second and third sets, but Monroe – Bronx quickly went on big runs each time to retake the lead for good.
 
"It feels very good to win," rookie defensive specialist Yasmel Molina said. "We are excited to keep playing other teams this season and we are looking forward to seeing them all."
 
Leading the way for the Express was senior outside hitter Lisanel Rodriguez who slammed home 10 kills, anchored the defense with seven digs, provided three assists, and scored a pair of service aces. Classmate Luisanni Rodriguez also had a big match as she scored three kills, produced a match-high 15 assists, added seven digs, recorded a block, and notched a service ace. Sophomore libero Valery Nunez led all players with 16 digs, nailed three service aces, and added a trio of assists. 
 
"We are looking forward to being better defensively," Nunez said. "We are so excited."
 
Thanks to a kill by Lisanel Rodriguez, and two service aces from sophomore outside hitter Selena Mitchell, Monroe – Bronx jumped out to a 5-0 advantage in the opening set and never looked back.
 
After the Wave tied the second set, 1-1, the Express took off with 10 unanswered points, highlighted by two kills each from Lisanel Rodriguez and sophomore outside hitter Haley Castaneda, to give the Blue and Gold a commanding 11-1 hold. Kingsborough could not get back into the set as Monroe – Bronx went on to win the frame to go up 2-0 in the match.
 
The Wave once again knotted the match at a point apiece in the third set. The Express responded with a kill from sophomore right side hitter Lesly Almonte and a service ace courtesy of freshman middle blocker Chelsea Nolasco to take the lead for good. Kingsborough kept chipping away throughout the stanza to keep the third game close. In fact, the visiting team scored four straight points to narrow Monroe's lead to 22-19. Mitchell was able to get the Express back on track with a kill to give her team more breathing room at 23-19. Then, a pair of attack errors by Kingsborough clinched the set and the Region 15 victory for the No. 10 Monroe – Bronx Express.
 
For Monroe, sophomore defensive specialist Laura Pinales tallied five digs and an assist. Mitchell had a strong attack with four kills and a pair of aces. Almonte tallied a pair of kills and had just as many digs. Castaneda generated three kills, a block, a dig, and a service ace. Molina tallied four digs and a duo of service aces. Rookie middle blocker Maria Melendez chipped in with a kill and a service ace, while sophomore middle blocker Xing Stewart-Greer and freshman middle blocker Nisa Llanos each slammed home a kill.

Monroe – Bronx will compete in a pair of Region 15 matches, on the campus of Nassau Community College, on Saturday, September 16. The Express will take on Hostos Community College at 12:00 p.m., and then battle Bronx Community College at approximately 2:00 p.m.
 
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).