THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's volleyball team continued its winning ways on Friday evening by defeating Kingsborough Community College in Region 15 play, 3-0, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium. Set scores were 25-17, 25-13, and 25-20.

The Express (7-14, 3-2 Region 15) extend their winning streak to three matches and have won four of the last five contests.

Darren Lopez had a big match for Monroe with 13 kills and a hitting percentage .474, while adding four digs, two assists, and just as many service aces. Edwin Ortega provided nine kills out of 12 total attacks to go along with six digs. Jeremy Rivera-Aponte added seven kills, five digs, and two aces. Mickey Mingo had a productive match with five kills, six digs, a trio of service aces, and two blocks. David Garcia compiled a match-high 28 digs and chipped in on defense with two digs.

As a team, Monroe – Bronx had a hitting percentage of .338.

In the opening set, Monroe was down 8-7 but then rattled off nine straight points, highlighted by two putdowns each from Ortega and Fidel Ramirez, to jump out to a 16-8 advantage. Kingsborough (0-10, 0-6 Region 15) could not generate a consistent run to get back into the set as Mingo and Shain Frazier combined for back-to-back kills to clinch the first game for Monroe, 25-17.

In the second stanza, the Express fell behind 7-6. Once again, they went on a big run, this time a 9-0 stretch that was keyed by two kills courtesy of Ortega to propel the Blue and Gold to a 15-7 hold. Later in the frame, back-to-back successful attacks by Rivera-Aponte and Ortega gave Monroe a set-point opportunity at 24-12. The Wave scored the next point, but then Mingo finished it off with a kill to clinch a 25-13 victory for Monroe in the second set and a 2-0 lead in the match. 

Kingsborough jumped out to a 19-15 advantage in the third game. Monroe took over from that point by scoring seven points in a row concluding with back-to-back kills by Lopez to snatch a 22-19 edge. The Wave scored next but then the Express rattled off three straight points, capped off by a kill from Lopez, to clinch the sweep and Monroe's third regional victory of the year. 

For Monroe, Wiltor Cubas added 10 assists, while Aiverson Guillen provided five digs. Marvin Culmer slammed home four kills and notched a block, while Ramirez generated three kills, two digs, and a block.

For Kingsborough, Kayia Requena slammed home seven kills and provided four defensive bumps. Justin James recorded six kills and four digs. Noah Yafaie delivered 11 assists and a trio of digs.

Monroe – Bronx will participate in a Region 15 Tri-Match on the campus of Nassau Community College on Saturday. The Express will battle the host-Lions at 11:00 a.m. and then take on Monroe University – New Rochelle at 1:00 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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