CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – The #14-seed Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team suffered a hard-fought in the opening round of the NJCAA National Tournament to #3-seed and nationally ranked No. 3 Finger Lakes Community College, in straight sets, at Alliant Energy PowerHouse Arena on Thursday morning. The season is not over yet for the Express as they will compete in a consolation match against #6-seed and nationally ranked No. 4 Butler County Community College on Friday at 10:00 a.m. central time in the same location.
 
After falling behind early in the opening set, freshman outside hitter Aleishka Diaz helped Monroe's (17-8) cause by slamming home a kill to narrow Finger Lakes' (29-2) lead to 4-3. Each team exchanged a point but then the Lakers scored four unanswered to pad their lead to 9-4. Monroe countered as Diaz and sophomore middle blocker Chelsea Nolasco combined for back-to-back put downs to pull the Blue and Gold to within 9-6. After falling behind by eight, the Express still wouldn't go down without a fight as they racked off three straight points, highlighted by a kill courtesy of freshman outside hitter Gabriela De La Rosa and a service ace from freshman defensive specialist Kaileex Batista, to deflate Finger Lakes' benefit to 14-9. The Lakers took over the set from that point, finishing with an 11-4 run to claim the game and a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
The Express fell behind, 2-0, in the second set but a service ace by De La Rosa and then a successful attack from sophomore opposite hitter Princess Corona tied the frame. The Lakers answered by scoring seven of the next nine points to jump out to a five-point advantage. Monroe once again chipped away as a kill by De La Rosa helped the Blue and Gold score four straight points and cut the opposition's edge to 9-8. Later in the set, Finger Lakes inflated its cushion with four unanswered points to pad its vantage to 20-13. Monroe was not done yet as a kill by Nolasco and then an ace from Diaz highlighted a string of three unanswered points which pulled the Express to within four. Later in the frame, a kill by De La Rosa and then a service ace courtesy of sophomore setter Serena Bueno decreased Monroe's disadvantage to 22-19. After each team scored a point, the Express continued to close the gap thanks to an ace by De La Rosa and then block assists from Corona and sophomore middle blocker Nisa Llanos to pull Monroe to within one at 23-22. The Express continued their momentum as De La Rosa cashed in on yet another ace to even the set at 23 points apiece. However, the Lakers scored the final two points of the set to win a narrow one by a score of 25-23 and put Monroe in a 2-0 hole in the match. 
 
The Express continued to battle in the third set as a kill by Diaz pulled Monroe to within 17-14. After each team added a point, Diaz nailed an ace to shrink her team's deficit to two. Later in the set, Monroe fell behind by score of 23-19. However, the Express had one more run in them as two kills courtesy of Corona sandwiched a 3-0 rally to narrow the Blue and Gold's disadvantage to 23-22. Once again, Finger Lakes was able to stave off Monroe's rally by scoring the final two points of the set. As a result, the Lakers officially punched their ticket to the NJCAA Quarterfinal.
 
Leading the way for the Express during the morning was Diaz who generated five kills and nine digs. De La Rosa provided six kills, three aces, and just as many digs. Llanos produced three kills and two blocks, while Corona added three kills of her own. Rookie setter Julia Ramos provided nine assists and two digs. Nolasco added two kills and a duo of blocks. Bueno recorded four assists and just as many digs. Sophomore libero Arielys Colon chipped in with five digs and two assists.
 
For Finger Lakes, freshman outside hitter Anna Kurtzhalts slammed home a match-high 21 kills, earned a hitting percentage of .405, and produced four digs. Sophomore libero Michelina Williams anchored the defense with 13 digs. Second-year setter Payton Stoddard generated 33 assists and six digs. Freshman opposite hitter Jackie Neureuter registered eight kills, six digs, and a pair of aces. First-year defensive specialist Emily Jordan scored seven service aces, while rookie outside hitter Emma Balduf added six kills and two digs.
 
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.

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