CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA – The #14-seed Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team had its remarkable season come to an end on Friday morning thanks to a hard-fought loss in the consolation match of the NJCAA Division III National Tournament to #6-seed and nationally ranked No. 4 Butler County Community College, 3-0, at Alliant Energy PowerHouse Arena.

During the 2024 season, the Express (17-9) captured its third straight District Championship, earned a berth in the Region 15 Championship Match, and competed in very competitive matches against the top teams in the country on the biggest stage.

During the match against Butler County (23-2), Monroe – Bronx fell behind 5-0 in the opening set against but began to chip away from that point. A kill by freshman outside hitter Aleishka Diaz highlighted a 6-3 run for the Express that pulled them to within two at 8-6. However, the Pioneers took over the stanza from that point, going on a 9-2 run to earn a commanding advantage at 17-8. The Express scored the next two points, capped off by freshman defensive specialist Kaileex Batista's service ace, to limit the damage. Butler County got right back on track, finishing the first set with an 8-0 run to claim the opening game and take a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
The Express got off to a good start in the second set as a kill by sophomore right side hitter Princess Corona gave her team a 2-0 edge. The Pioneers answered with a 12-2 run to grab a commanding hold. Monroe could not generate a consistent rally to get back into the set as Butler County won the second game, 25-16, to take a 2-0 hold in the match. 
 
Monroe fell behind 13-5 in the third stanza, but an ace by Batista and a kill from rookie outside hitter Diamondnique Stephenson allowed the Blue and Gold to go on a mini 2-1 run to narrow the opposition's advantage to 14-7. It was not enough as Butler County outscored Monroe 11-7 the rest of the way to earn the win and officially end the Express' successful season.
 
Leading the way for Monroe during the morning was Diaz who slammed home four kills and added six digs. Corona and sophomore middle blocker Nisa Llanos each executed three successful attacks with the former earning four blocks and two digs while the latter totaled two blocks. Second-year libero Yasmel Molina anchored the defense with a match-high 13 digs. Sophomore setter Serena Bueno had 10 assists, two digs, and a kill. Freshman setter Julia Ramos notched five assists and three digs. She also added one service ace which puts her at 77 aces for the year, tying her for No. 1 on the program's all-time single-season list with Irianna Castillo who did it in 2019. First-year outside hitter Gabriela De La Rosa scored two kills during the contest.
 
For Butler County, freshman middle blocker Josei Russo generated seven kills, four blocks, and three digs. Sophomore outside hitter Johnna Hill added six kills, five digs, and three service aces. Second-year middle blocker Lexi Ruckdeschel slammed home six kills and provided two blocks. Sophomore libero Nina Szymanski had 11 digs and two assists. Freshman setter Anora Robare generated 15 assists, two aces, and two digs while classmate Adriona Arnold provided 10 helpers of her own. First-year outside hitter Molly Bissell recorded five kills, seven digs, and a duo of blocks.

The Express will return to the court in August of 2025.
 
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.