NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe College – Bronx men's volleyball team dropped its final match of the Monroe Mustangs Invitational to Union County College, in straight sets, at the Monroe Athletic Complex on Saturday afternoon. Set scores were 25-15, 25-18, and 25-22. 
 
Union County (1-3) never trailed at any point in the first set. The Express (0-4) got off to a good start in the second stanza as a kill each from first-year outside hitter Anthony Estevez and freshman middle blocker Jeremy Rivera-Aponte propelled Monroe to a 5-2 advantage. Later in the set, Estevez tacked on another kill to extend the Express' benefit to 9-6. The Owls answered with five straight points to jump out in front. Down 13-12, Monroe was able to even it up thanks to a successful attack courtesy of Rivera-Aponte. Union County turned it around by going on a 9-2 run to take a commanding 22-15 hold on its way to a second-set victory.
 
In the third stanza, Monroe went up 7-5, highlighted by a kill from freshman outside hitter Juan Arias. The Owls produced five unanswered points to take a three-point lead, but then the Express answered right back with four straight points to go back in front, 11-10. A kill from Rivera-Aponte ignited the rally. Later in the frame, Estevez nailed a service ace to pad Monroe's lead to 15-13. Union County chipped away and tied the set up at 17 points apiece. Then, the visitors committed an attack error to allow Monroe to regain the lead at 18-17. However, the Owls went on a 6-2 run to take a 23-20 benefit. Monroe scored the next two points to pull to within one, but then Union County scored the final two points to clinch the third set and the match.
 
Leading the way for Monroe – Bronx was Estevez in his collegiate debut as he produced five kills and just as many digs. Arias anchored the defense with a match-high 16 digs. Freshman libero Harold Romero produced 12 digs and a pair of kills. Rivera-Aponte had a monster match with seven kills, six solo blocks, and a dig. First-year setter Wiltor Cubas generated 12 assists, three digs, and a service ace. Rookie opposite hitter Elvis Ndubuisi provided four digs, while first-year middle blocker Domingo Brito added three blocks, a kill, and a dig. 
 
Monroe – Bronx will return to the MAC on Saturday, February 10, for a battle against Atlantic Cape Community College. First serve is set for 11:00 a.m. 

ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College 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 College 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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