CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – The Monroe University - Bronx men's volleyball team competed in the Finger Lakes Invitational, on the campus of Finger Lakes Community College, on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. Monroe concluded the invitational with a 3-1 victory over Roxbury Community College on Sunday. Earlier in the day, the Express won a set over the defending two-time National Champion Finger Lakes but lost 3-1 in the overall match. On Saturday, Monroe fell to the host-Lakers in straight sets and then suffered a 3-1 loss to the Tigers. All the matches during the weekend took place at Putt Moore Gymnasium.

In the Express' victory over the Tigers late on Sunday afternoon, set scores were 25-23, 25-17, 16-25, and 25-22.

The Express (2-10) won the first two sets, but then the Tigers (1-5) bounced back to win the third. In the fourth set, the Express had a match-point opportunity at 24-22. Sophomore Jeremy Rivera-Aponte clinched the victory for the Express by slamming home a kill and sending the Blue and Gold home happy.

Leading the way for Monroe – Bronx during the win over Roxbury was freshman Edwin Ortega who had a near double-double with 15 kills and nine digs, while adding a trio of blocks. Rivera-Aponte notched six kills and two digs. Rookie Fidel Ramirez had a solid match with five putdowns, three service aces, and two digs. Freshman Aiverson Guillen anchored the defense nine digs, while classmate Darren Lopez produced five kills and four digs. Freshman Mickey Mingo tallied seven blocks, while sophomore Harold Romero provided seven digs. First-year player David Garcia added 30 assists, seven digs, and two kills. Rookie Luis Vasquez compiled three kills and five digs. 

In the Sunday afternoon loss to the Lakers (9-6) earlier in the day, the scores were 25-16, 20-25, 25-13, and 25-23. 

After splitting the first two sets, the Lakers won the third to take a 2-1 lead. Monroe fell behind, 23-20, in the fourth set but then scored three straight points to tie it up. However, Finger Lakes scored the final two points to clinch the stanza and the overall contest. 

Lopez had a big match for the Express with seven kills, five digs, two blocks, and just as many assists. Rivera-Aponte scored four aces, compiled five digs, and tallied two putdowns. Ortega generated five kills, just as many digs, and a duo of helpers. Sophomore Wiltor Cubas added seven assists and five digs, while Ramirez notched three kills and four blocks. 

On Saturday against Finger Lakes, set scores were 25-17, 25-18, and 25-13.

After dropping the first two sets, Monroe bounced back to take a 10-6 benefit in the third. However, the Lakers rallied with 14 unanswered points to jump out to a 20-10 hold. Monroe never recovered as the host team went on to clinch the set, 25-13, and the match in straight sets.

For the Express, Ortega and Lopez each slammed home four kills with the latter adding just as many digs. Rivera-Aponte provided three kills and six digs. Garcia had nine assists and three service aces. Ramirez generated five blocks and three digs. 

Later that day on Saturday against Roxbury, the scores were 26-24, 20-25, 25-18, and 25-22.

Ortega had a double-double for Monroe with 14 kills and 11 digs, while notching a pair of aces. Rivera-Aponte had another solid match with eight kills and 13 digs. Lopez generated 13 kills, six digs, three blocks, and a duo of aces. Romero had a strong match defensively with 10 digs. Mingo compiled four kills, five digs, and three blocks. Garcia added 32 assists and two digs, while Cubas tallied six helpers of his own. Guillen chipped in on defense with six digs. Ramirez registered two kills and just as many blocks. 

Monroe – Bronx will travel to New Jersey on Friday to take on Middlesex College. First serve at Middlesex College Gymnasium is set for 7:00 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.  

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