NEW YORK – The Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team earned two crucial Region 15 victories, at Borough of Manhattan College Gymnasium, on Saturday afternoon. The Express defeated the host Panthers, in straight sets, and then won a five-set thriller over the Fashion Institute of Technology Tigers.
 
The Express bump their regional record to 9-2 (13-4 overall) and are currently slotted in fourth place in the regional standings.

"The team continues to improve its mental toughness game," Express Head Women's Volleyball Coach Odaly Aponte-Orta said. "We are in good route to close the season strong. The team played some good volleyball, especially in the match against FIT."
 
In the Express' victory over BMCC (7-11, 5-11 Region 15), set scores were 25-17, 26-24, and 25-15.
 
Monroe fell behind early in the opening set, 2-1, but then went on an 8-1 run to grab the lead for good. 
 
In the second set, Monroe trailed by a score of 24-22. However, the Blue and Gold took over by scoring four points in a row, capped off by a kill courtesy of sophomore middle blocker Nisa Llanos, to earn the come-from behind victory in set number two and take a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
After falling behind 4-3 in the third set, Monroe rattled off eight straight points to jump out in front and never looked back.
 
Leading the way for the Express during their victory over the Panthers was freshman outside hitter Aleishka Diaz who tallied eight kills and 18 digs. Second-year libero Yasmel Molina tallied 14 digs. Llanos scored six kills, while freshman outside hitter Gabriela De La Rosa recorded four kills, two digs, and just as many service aces. Sophomore opposite hitter Princess Corona finished with four kills and two digs. Classmate Serena Bueno added 15 assists and five aces, while rookie setter Julia Ramos provided four assists, two aces, and just as many digs. Sophomore libero Arielys Colon chipped in on defense with five digs.
 
In Monroe's win over FIT (12-4, 11-3 Region 15), set scores were 23-25, 25-19, 26-24, 17-25, and 15-9.
 
Molina led all players with 34 digs, while scoring six service aces, to guide Monroe. Diaz tallied a double-double with 10 kills and 18 digs, while scoring four service aces and adding two blocks. Llanos had a big match with 12 kills and four blocks. Corona provided seven kills and four digs. Second-year middle blocker Chelsea Nolasco added eight kills, five blocks, and a pair of assists.  De La Rosa slammed home nine kills. Bueno notched 22 assists and eight digs, while Ramos generated 12 assists, six aces, and five digs. Colon added 12 digs and a pair of aces. 
 
Monroe – Bronx will take on Kingsborough Community College, out in Brooklyn, on Wednesday evening. The Region 15 match at Kingsborough CC Gym will begin at 7:00 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
The athletic program at Monroe University 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 University 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).