CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – The No. 14-seed Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team will compete in the opening round of the NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball National Tournament against nationally ranked No. 3 and third-seeded Finger Lakes Community College on Thursday morning. First serve at Alliant Energy PowerHouse Arena, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is set for 10:00 a.m. eastern time / 9:00 a.m. central time.
 
The winner of the match will compete in the quarterfinal round of the NJCAA National Tournament later in the day on Thursday. The team that is defeated will compete in a consolation match on Friday.
 
There will be a watch party for the Express vs. Lakers contest in the FYE room on the Monroe University – Bronx campus. All Monroe faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend and watch the match on the big screen.
 
Fans can follow the action on live stats by clicking here. Live streaming video for the match can be accessed at this link. 
 
The Express (17-7) earned their spot in the NJCAA National Tournament by knocking off Queensborough Community College in five sets to capture the North Atlantic B District Championship on November 2, the program's third consecutive district title.
 
Leading the way for Monroe this season has been freshman outside hitter Aleishka Diaz who produced 191 kills and 271 digs so far in 2024. Classmate Gabriela De La Rosa has generated 182 kills and 180 digs. Sophomore libero Yasmel Molina is anchoring the defense with 279 digs and has provided 60 service aces from the service line.
 
The Lakers (28-2) captured their fourth consecutive Region 3 Championship to secure their spot at Nationals. Freshman outside hitter Anna Kurtzhalts has 277 total kills this season. Sophomore setter Payton Stoddard is helping the the offense with 753 assists. Second-year libero Michelina Williams has produced 424 digs and 86 service aces.
 
These two teams met in the regular season on August 31. Finger Lakes won the match over Monroe – Bronx in straight sets. In fact, the Lakers are 2-0 all-time against the Express.
 
For more information about Monroe – Bronx's run in the NJCAA National Tournament, check out www.MonroeExpress.com as well as our social media channels. 
 
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). Catch us on YouTube at www.YouTube.com/MonroeExpress.