LONG ISLAND CITY, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team earned a straight-set victory over LaGuardia Community College, at LaGuardia CC Gym, on Tuesday evening. Set scores were 25-22, 25-12, and 25-17.
 
The Express have now won eight straight matches and bump their record to 10-3, while the Red Hawks fall to 4-6.
 
In the opening set, LaGuardia rallied with a 6-2 run to tie it up at 21. Sophomore middle blocker Chelsea Nolasco got the Express back on track by slamming home a kill to allow her team to regain the lead, and then rookie outside hitter Aleishka Diaz scored a service ace to extend the Blue and Gold's advantage to two. After the Red Hawks scored the next point, the Express finished the set strong with two consecutive successful rallies, capped off by Nolasco's put down, to clinch the set for Monroe and a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
Monroe – Bronx jumped out to an 8-1 hold in the second set, thanks in part to back-to-back aces by freshman outside hitter Gabriela De La Rosa. LaGuardia was unable to make a consistent run to get back into the set as Monroe comfortably extend its lead in the match to 2-0.
 
The third game was more challenging for the Express as the Red Hawks rallied to jump out in front, 9-8. The Express instantly snatched the momentum right back by going on a 14-4 run, highlighted by a pair of successful attacks courtesy of De La Rosa, to take a commanding 22-13 benefit. The Red Hawks earned the next four points to pull closer but then De La Rosa and sophomore middle blocker Nisa Llanos combined for back-to-back kills to give Monroe a set-point opportunity at 24-17. An attack error by LaGuardia clinched the set and the match for Monroe – Bronx.
 
For the Express during the evening, sophomore opposite hitter Princess Corona led the team with seven kills. Nolasco had six successful attacks of her own, while De La Rosa finished with five kills, six digs, and a duo of service aces. Second-year setter Serena Bueno notched 13 assists, three digs, and a kill. Diaz had a strong match with five put downs, three service aces, two assists, and a dig. 
 
Also helping Monroe was rookie defensive specialist Julia Ramos who added six assists and a pair of digs. Llanos had a solid night with two kills, four digs, and an assist. Sophomore libero Yasmel Molina added three aces, just as many digs, and two assists. Second-year opposite hitter Shirley Garo slammed home two kills, while freshman defensive specialist Kaileex Batista chipped in with three digs. Freshmen libero Arielys Colon provided two digs and an assist.
 
For LaGuardia, rookie Daniela Acosta had a double-double with 10 kills and 12 digs, while also tallying two assists and a service ace.
 
Monroe – Bronx will host nationally ranked No. 12 Nassau Community College in a key Region 15 match on Thursday evening. It will be Breast Cancer Awareness Night and all fans in attendance are encouraged to wear pink. The action at Monsignor Scanlan 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).