CRANFORD, N.J. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's volleyball team suffered a non-region loss to Union College (N.J.), 3-0, at Union College Gymnasium on Monday evening. The Owls (2-2) earn their second victory of the year over the Express (1-5), with the first one occurring back on January 31 at Monroe Athletic Complex.
 
In Monday's contest, set scores were 25-20, 25-14, and 25-21.
 
Leading the way for the Express was freshman Darren Lopez who slammed home eight kills and added four digs. Sophomore Jeremy Rivera-Aponte also had a solid match with seven kills and five digs. Rookie David Garcia added a team-high 16 assists. Sophomore Harold Romero led his squad on defense with six digs.
 
In the first set, a kill by Lopez and a service ace from Rivera-Aponte helped catapult the Express to a 4-0 lead. However, the Owls went on a 7-2 run to take a one-point advantage. Later in the frame, Monroe fell behind by a score of 17-15 but fought back as a kill by freshman Fidel Ramirez sparked two unanswered points which tied the stanza. The Owls countered with another 7-2 run to earn a set-point opportunity at 24-19. Rivera-Aponte kept the Express alive with a kill but then Union scored the 25^th point to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
Monroe took a brief 1-0 benefit in the second set but then the home team scored four unanswered points to jump out in front, 4-1. Monroe could not generate a consistent run during the second set and Union won comfortably by 11 to go up 2-0 in the contest.
 
After falling behind 6-2 in the third set, the Express got on track with an 8-4 run, highlighted by two kills each from Lopez and Rivera-Aponte, to propel Monroe to tie it up at 10 points apiece. Later in the frame, the Express trailed 16-15 but a putdown by sophomore Mickey Mingo once again evened the set. Unfortunately for Monroe, Union went on an 8-2 run to earn a match-point opportunity at 24-18. The Express did not go down without a fight, as three straight errors by the Owls kept the Blue and Gold alive and narrowed the deficit to 24-21. However, Monroe's rally was cut short as a kill by first-year player Javon Scott clinched the set and the match for Union.
 
Leading the way for the Owls was freshman Sebastian Arias who generated match-highs of 10 kills (.318 hitting %) with seven service aces, and added four digs. Scott provided nine putdowns and six digs. Rookie Kavon Hayes led all players with 25 assists and tallied six digs with two kills. Freshman Jaden Guzman slammed home six kills, compiled a hitting percentage of .308, scored three service aces, and chipped in on defense with two digs.
 
These two teams will have a rematch on Saturday as part of a tri-match hosted by Monroe – Bronx at the Monroe Athletic Complex. First serve is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. Monroe will then host Nassau Community College in a Region 15 contest later in the day at 5:00 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. 
 
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.