THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team celebrated its Breast Cancer Awareness Night by securing a key 3-1 Region 15 victory over the defending regional champions, Nassau Community College, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Thursday evening. Set scores were 25-14, 25-18, 20-25, and 25-19.
The Express earn their second victory of the season over the Lions and advance their regional record to 6-1 (8-3 overall). The Lions drop to 6-2 in the region and 9-5 for the season.
"The energy was electrifying from start to finish," Express Head Coach
Odaly Aponte-Orta said. "We played with confidence, fed off each other, and found a way to bring home the win against Nassau. We'll keep playing hard and coming for every team that steps in front of us."
Cherlialix Carmona had a big night for the Express with 11 kills, nine digs, two service aces, and just as many assists.
Gabriela De La Rosa also had a productive match with 11 putdowns of her own, plus two defensive bumps and a duo of service victories.
Aleishka Diaz led all players with 17 digs, plus she provided two kills, five helpers, and just as many aces.
Julia Ramos compiled a match-high 17 assists to go along with eight digs and five service wins.
Monroe fell behind 11-10 in the opening set but then dominated the rest of the stanza with a 15-3 run, capped off by a kill courtesy of
Ayleenee Lopez, to give the Blue and Gold a 1-0 lead in the match.
The Express' dominance continued in the second set as they led from wire to wire to earn the 25-18 win and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the overall match.
Nassau did not go down without a fight as they jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the third stanza. Monroe rallied with an 11-4 run to snatch a 14-11 advantage. The Lions countered with a 7-1 blitz which catapulted them to an 18-15 benefit. Monroe played catch-up for the rest of the stanza as Nassau was on the verge of getting on the board thanks to a kill by Rhianna Miller which earned her team a set-point opportunity. Then, she ended the frame with an ace to pull Nassau to within 2-1 in the match.
It looked as if this contest was destined to go to a fifth set as Monroe fell behind, 10-8, in the fourth stanza. The Express got back on track with a 5-1 run, capped off by a kill courtesy of De La Rosa, to give her team a 13-11 edge. Nassau won the next two points to tie it up at 13. Then, each team split the next six rallies, 3-3, to make it a 16-16 deadlock. From that point, Monroe took over the match by scoring seven of the next eight points, concluded by back-to-back aces from Ramos, to give Monroe a 23-17 advantage. Later in the stanza, De La Rosa notched a kill to give Monroe a match-point opportunity at 24-18. Nassau scored during the next rally, but then Monroe clinched the important Region 15 win thanks to a putdown by Carmona, sending the raucous crowd into a frenzy.
Helping the Express during the evening was
Kaileex Batista who registered 10 assists, a match-best six aces, and five digs. Lopez had four kills and two defensive bumps.
Brycelynn Paul anchored the defense with eight digs.
Yamelyn Bonilla generated four putdowns, two blocks, and a dig.
Diamondnique Stephenson added two successful attacks and just as many blocks.
Robyn Eddy recorded two kills and a trio of blocks, while
Sarai Hernandez tallied an ace, a helper, one block, and a dig.
Monroe will compete in two crucial Region 15 matches on the campus of Orange County Community College on Saturday. First, the Express will battle Dutchess Community College at noon and then take on the host-Colts at approximately 1:30 p.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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