THROGGS NECK, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx men's volleyball team earned a victory over The New School University, in straight sets, at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium on Thursday evening. Set scores were 25-20, 25-17, and 27-25.

Six Express sophomores were honored with a ceremony prior to the start of the match and they all played key roles in Monroe's (9-16) victory over The New School (0-3).

Marvin Culmer led the way for the Express with nine kills, a .727 hitting percentage, and three digs. Jeremy Rivera-Aponte also had nine kills, while scoring four service aces. Shain Frazier added four putdowns and two blocks. Wiltor Cubas provided 28 assists, four aces, and just as many defensive bumps, while Harold Romero notched four digs of his own. Mickey Mingo generated four kills, three blocks, and two digs.

Both teams were evenly matched in the early stages of the first set as there was a 10-10 tie. However, Monroe – Bronx took over by scoring seven straight points, highlighted by three aces from Cubas and two kills by Culmer, to propel the Express to a 17-10 advantage. The Narwhals countered with an 8-4 run to narrow their deficit to 21-18. Rivera-Aponte led the Express to a strong finish as his kill and service ace sparked a 4-2 run to close the set in Monroe's favor, 25-20.

Culmer's four kills early in the second set catapulted Monroe – Bronx to an 8-1 hold. The New School could not generate a consistent run to get back into the stanza as the Express clinched the second set, 25-17, and a 2-0 lead in the match.

The third set was dicier for the Blue and Gold as the Narwhals jumped out to a 7-3 lead. Later in the frame, Monroe went on an 11-3 run, capped off by a service ace from Rivera-Aponte, to put the Express in front by a score of 21-18. The New School answered by scoring four of the next five points to even the set at 22 points apiece. After each team split the next six points, 3-3, Monroe – Bronx took advantage of two consecutive attack errors by the Narwhals to claim the frame, 27-25, and the non-region win in three sets. 

Darren Lopez tallied four kills and three service aces for the Express during the evening. Edwin Ortega executed two kills, four digs, and a pair of aces. 

Monroe – Bronx will close out the regular season with a Region 15 match against Borough of Manhattan Community College on Saturday. The match at Monroe Athletic Complex will begin at 12:00 p.m. If Express win, they will clinch a berth in the Region 15 Semifinals. 

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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