THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's volleyball team won a hard-fought battle against Middlesex College, 3-0, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Wednesday evening. Set scores were 25-23, 27-25, and 26-24. It marks the first win over the Colts (6-9) in program history for the Express (6-14).

Jeremy Rivera-Aponte led the attack for Monroe with 16 kills. He also tallied six service aces and two digs. Darren Lopez generated 12 kills, four digs, just as many assists, and a duo of aces. David Garcia provided 20 assists, eight digs, and two putdowns. 

Monroe – Bronx got off to a great start in the first set as a kill by Rivera-Aponte propelled his team to a 16-8 benefit. However, Middlesex scored five unanswered points to pull to within three. The Express got back on track as a successful attack by Rivera-Aponte and an ace by Garcia began a 3-0 run by the home team to increase the advantage to 19-13. Then, it was Middlesex's turn to snatch the momentum by scoring five straight points to pull to within one. After the Express scored the next point, the Colts countered with a 5-2 run to take a 23-22 benefit. Fortunately for the home team, Fidel Ramirez came up big for the Express by slamming home two kills to sandwich a 3-0 run by the Blue and Gold to clinch the win in the first set, 25-23. 

Monroe's strong finish to the first set did not carry over into the start of the second as the Express fell behind by a score of 17-11. Rivera-Aponte sparked his team by slamming home a kill and then nailing three consecutive service aces to slice his team's deficit to two. But then it got bleak for Monroe as Middlesex built its lead to 24-21, earning a set-point opportunity. With their backs against the wall, the Express responded as two kills by Rivera-Aponte and a pair of aces courtesy of Mickey Mingo catapulted Monroe to a 25-24 edge. The Colts tied it, but then the Express scored the next two points to clinch a thrilling come-from-behind victory in the second set, 27-25, and take a commanding 2-0 hold in the match. 

The Express were on fire to start the third frame as a kill by Garcia gave the home team a 17-13 benefit. Middlesex did not go down quietly as the visiting team rattled off six straight points to jump out to a 19-17 advantage. Monroe turned it around as a kill by Garcia and a service ace from Luis Vasquez contributed to three unanswered points to put Monroe ahead, 20-19. Middlesex answered right back with two consecutive points to retake the lead. After each team exchanged a point three times, Middlesex earned a set-point opportunity at 24-23. Rivera-Aponte took over from that point as he helped the Express by scoring three consecutive kills to secure the come-from-behind set win and the sweep for Monroe – Bronx. 

For the Express, Vasquez added five digs, while Wiltor Cubas produced nine assists and a trio of digs. Harold Romero recorded four digs and two helpers. Mingo compiled two kills, three aces, just as many digs, and two blocks. Ramirez added four kills and two digs. Aiverson Guillen chipped in on defense with five digs. 

For the Colts, Jimit Darji generated 12 kills, six digs, and three blocks. Christopher Paone tallied a double-double with 11 kills and 10 digs, while adding two assists and a pair of blocks. Brady Boslet also had a double-double with 21 assists and 10 digs, while producing two kills and three blocks. 

Monroe – Bronx will return to Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Friday evening for a Region 15 match against Kingsborough Community College. First serve is at 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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