GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 10 Monroe College – Bronx women's volleyball team earned a pair of Region 15 victories, on the campus of Nassau Community College, on Saturday afternoon, September 16. The Express defeated Hostos Community College, 3-0, and then topped Bronx Community College in straight sets. 
 
Monroe – Bronx is now 8-1 overall and 3-0 in Region 15 contests. 
 
"We're feeling great and we're feeling confident," freshman middle blocker Maria Melendez said. "We have our Monroe pride as always."
 
In the victory over Hostos (2-3, 2-3 Region 15), set scores were 25-15, 25-18, and 25-5. The Express never trailed at any point in the first set. In the second stanza, Monroe fell behind by a score of 3-1. However, they turned the tide by scoring four straight points, capped off by a kill from senior outside hitter Lisanel Rodriguez, to take the lead for good at 5-3. The Blue and Gold finished the second stanza on a 6-1 run to take a 2-0 lead in the match. 
 
Monroe's strong finish to the second frame carried over into the third, as the Express grabbed a 6-3 benefit. After the Caimans pulled to within two, the Express took off with a 19-1 run to finish off the match and clinch the Blue and Gold's first match-victory of the day.
 
The Express scored 15 service aces as a team during the opening contest. Lisanel Rodriguez had seven of them and added six kills, eight digs, and an assist. Sophomore outside hitter Selena Mitchell generated five kills and four digs, while rookie defensive specialist Yasmel Molina added five digs of her own. Second-year setter Luisanni Rodriguez provided three kills, 19 assists, and four digs. Sophomore libero Valery Nunez anchored the defense with eight digs, scored a service ace, and provided two assists.
 
Freshman middle blocker Chelsea Nolasco had a productive match with four kills, a block, and a dig. Sophomore right side hitter Lesly Almonte added a kill, a duo of service aces, and just as many digs. Second-year outside hitter Laura Pinales nailed four aces and recorded a pair of digs. Sophomore outside hitter Haley Castaneda scored two kills, chipped in defensively with five digs, and scored a service ace. Melendez had two kills and sophomore middle blocker Xing Stewart-Greer had a successful attack of her own.
 
Monroe won all three sets against Bronx (0-4, 0-4 Region 15) by identical scores of 25-5. The Blue and Gold scored 27 service aces during the contest and led from wire-to-wire during the first and third sets. The Broncos had a brief 1-0 lead in the second stanza, but the Express scored the next four points, capped off by back-to-back aces courtesy of Castaneda to take a lead that they would not surrender for the remainder of both the set and the match.
 
For the Express, Luisanni Rodriguez led the way with five kills, 14 assists, four service aces, and a dig. Molina neutralized the opponent's attack with eight digs and tallied an ace. Stewart-Greer had a match-high seven service aces. Almonte had a strong performance with four kills, just as many service aces, and a duo of digs. Lisanel Rodriguez also had four kills and four service aces, while providing two digs and an assist. Melendez generated four kills and a block. Castaneda nailed four aces, notched four digs, and tallied a kill. Nolasco had a pair of kills, while Mitchell generated three service aces and a kill. Pinales and Nunez each scored a kill.
 
The Express will return to Nassau Community College Main Gym on Thursday, September 21, for a Region 15 contest against the Lions. First serve is set for 6:00 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).