NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The third-seeded Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team earned a hard-fought victory in its Region 15 Quarterfinal match against sixth-seeded Orange County Community College, 3-1, at Monroe Athletic Complex on Thursday evening. 

Monroe (19-4) advances to the Region 15 Semifinal round and will take on second-seeded Fashion Institute of Technology, on the campus of Dutchess Community College, on Saturday at 12 p.m. If the Express win, they will advance to the regional championship match which will take place right after, at around 2 p.m., against the winner of top-seeded Nassau Community College and fourth-seeded Westchester Community College.

"Proud of how the team fought through the ups and downs tonight," Express Head Coach Odaly Aponte-Orta said. "They stayed together, found their pace, and finished strong to punch their ticket to the semifinals. The next step is to refine the minor details and keep the tempo high."

In the win over Orange County (10-11), set scores were 25-21, 26-24, 18-25, and 25-14.

Gabriela De La Rosa had a big match for the Express with 14 kills and eight digs. Cherlialix Carmona tallied 13 putdowns, six defensive bumps, and a pair of service aces. Robyn Eddy had a well-balanced performance with seven kills, six aces, just as many digs, and a duo of blocks. Aleishka Diaz tied a match-high with 20 digs, while providing eight assists. Julia Ramos had a near double-double with 21 assists and nine helpers, while earning four service victories.

Except for a 2-1 hole, Monroe did not trail during the first set. An 8-0 run by the Express catapulted them to a 9-2 hold and that lead lasted for the rest of the stanza. Kaileex Batista and Sarai Hernandez clinched the opening-set victory by slamming back-to-back kills to put Monroe up 1-0 in the match. 

The second game was a lot tighter. Orange County overcame a six-point deficit (18-12) to eventually tie the set up at 24 points apiece. Monroe earned the next score thanks to an attack error by the Colts that gave the Blue and Gold a set-point opportunity. De La Rosa immediately took advantage by scoring a kill to give Monroe a 2-0 advantage in the regional quarterfinal.

The Express jumped out a 9-7 benefit in the third set, but Orange County answered with a 7-1 rally to catapult to a 14-10 lead. Monroe played catch-up for the rest of the stanza as the Colts secured the 25-18 win in the third game to extend the contest to a fourth set.

Monroe answered as four consecutive service aces by Eddy sparked the Express to a 10-2 hold. Orange County could not generate a consistent run to get back into it as a kill by De La Rosa and an ace from Diaz helped Monroe earn a match-point opportunity at 24-14. Eddy clinched Monroe's spot in the regional semifinals by nailing a kill to secure the quarterfinal win for the Express in front of a raucous crowd at the MAC.

Yamelyn Bonilla had a solid night for Monroe with five kills, three digs, and a pair of blocks. Batista generated seven assists, two putdowns, and just as many aces. Brycelynn Paul chipped in on defense with seven digs and provided three service wins on offense. Ayleenee Lopez produced four kills and two defensive bumps. Hernandez added a duo of putdowns and three blocks.

For updates regarding the rest of Monroe's run the Region 15 Playoffs, 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.
 
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).