THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team celebrated Hispanic Heritage Night in grand fashion by earning a three-set Region 15 victory over Queensborough Community College, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium, on Wednesday night. Set scores were 25-18, 25-12, and 25-19.

"Tonight was a complete team effort," Express Head Coach Odaly Aponte-Orta said. "We controlled the tempo, executed our system, and earned a solid three-set win. At 3-1 in the region, we're moving in the right direction, and we are focusing on continuing to build."

Gabriela De La Rosa led the way for the Express with 11 kills, a .207 hitting percentage, six digs, and a pair of service aces. Cherlialix Carmona slammed six kills and had a strong match defensively with 10 digs. Aleishka Diaz led all players with 13 defensive bumps, while scoring three service victories and providing two assists.

Monroe's setters had strong performances as Julia Ramos tallied 15 helpers, five aces, and a trio of digs. Kaileex Batista compiled 13 assists, two service aces, and just as many defensive bumps.

The Express (6-3, 3-1 Region 15) fell behind 3-0 to start the opening set. However, they turned it around and rallied to a 9-6 benefit. After Queensborough (6-5, 6-3 Region 15) won the next point, Monroe took over by going on a 7-2 run to take a commanding 16-9 hold. The Tigers responded by scoring five of the next six points to shrink the Express' benefit to 17-14. Batista got the Express back on track by highlighting a 3-0 run with back-to-back service aces to give her team more breathing room at 20-14. Later in the set, with Monroe up 23-18, Ayleenee Lopez gave the Express a set-point opportunity by slamming a kill and then Sarai Hernandez clinched the opening set for her team by nailing an ace.

Monroe's strong end to the first set carried over into the second as the home team jumped out to a 7-0 advantage. The Tigers never made the set close as Monroe cruised to a 25-12 victory in the second game to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

The third set was a bit different, as Queensborough jumped ahead by a score of 13-10. Monroe answered as a kill by Lopez, back-to-back aces courtesy of Diaz, and then a putdown by Carmona catapulted the Express to a 14-13 edge. Later, the Tigers were able to tie it up at 16. Diamondnique Stephenson and Hernandez each executed a successful attack to spark a 3-0 Monroe run to give the Blue and Gold a 19-16 advantage. The Express did not surrender the lead for the rest of the night as a kill each by De La Rosa and Robyn Eddy officially clinched the set for Monroe, 25-19, and the Region 15 victory in straight sets.

For the Express during the evening, Hernandez tallied five kills, four aces, and three digs. Lopez also had five putdowns and generated a hitting percentage of .571. Eddy added two kills, just as many blocks, and a dig. Stephenson and Yamelyn Bonilla each produced a successful attack and a defensive bump. Brycelynn Paul chipped in with two digs.

Monroe – Bronx will travel to Long Island on Saturday morning for a Region 15 showdown against the defending regional champions, Nassau Community College. First serve at Nassau Main Gym is set for 11 a.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.
 
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