GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team split its Region 15 Double Dual on Saturday afternoon on the campus of Nassau Community College. The Express dropped a five-set heartbreaker to Westchester Community College but bounced back to defeat Rockland Community College in straight sets.

Monroe is now 5-3 overall and 2-1 in Region 15 play.

In the opening contest against the Vikings (5-3, 5-3 Region 15), set scores were 25-20, 23-25, 25-19, 22-25, and 15-11. 

After dropping the first set, Monroe fell behind by a score of 21-18 in the second frame. The Express fought back with a 4-1 run to tie it up at 22. Westchester scored the next point, but then Monroe turned the tables with three unanswered scores, thanks to back-to-back kills by Diamondnique Stephenson and a successful attack courtesy of Cherlialix Carmona, to snatch the set-victory for Monroe and a 1-1 split in the match. 

In the third stanza, the Vikings went on an 8-0 surge to break a 9-9 tie and take an eight-point benefit. Monroe played from behind for the rest of the set and Westchester clinched the game, 25-19, to put Monroe on the brink.

Things looked bleak for the Blue and Gold as the Vikings jumped out to an early 11-6 lead. Monroe countered by scoring six of the next seven points to tie it up at 12. Later in the frame, Westchester took an 18-15 edge. Ayleenee Lopez helped the Express turn it around by scoring three service aces to propel her team to a 6-0 run which catapulted them in front, 21-18. Monroe successfully fought off Westchester at the end of the fourth set as a kill by Robyn Eddy gave Monroe the game (25-22) and forced a fifth and deciding set. 

The Express got off to a great start in the final frame as back-to-back aces by Julia Ramos sparked the Blue and Gold to a 4-0 advantage. The Vikings answered with five straight scores to go up by one. The Express got back on track as a kill by Carmona highlighted four successful rallies in a row to put Monroe back in front, 8-5. After each team added a point, the Vikings went on a run again, this time a 6-0 stretch to put the Express in a 12-9 hole. Monroe scored the next two points, but then Westchester rifled off three consecutive scores to clinch the deciding set and the Region 15 win. 

During the first match, Carmona led all players with 20 kills, while adding eight digs and two assists to pace the Express. Gabriela De La Rosa compiled 13 kills, four digs, and a pair of aces. Aleishka Diaz had a solid match with 23 digs and four assists. 

Ramos generated 25 helpers and seven digs for Monroe. Brycelynn Paul anchored the defense with 11 digs. Sarai Hernandez and Eddy each slammed six kills with the former having three defensive bumps and the latter providing two digs. Kaileex Batista recorded six digs, five helpers, and four aces. Lopez had a strong effort with two kills, seven assists, four service wins, and three digs. Stephenson produced three kills and four digs, while Yamelyn Bonilla chipped in with a defensive bump.

In Monroe's victory over Rockland (1-8, 1-8 Region 15), set scores were 25-8, 25-13, and 25-10. Rockland had a couple of one-point leads early in the opening set, but the Express bounced back each time to gain the advantage. In fact, Monroe finished the first game with nine unanswered points to clinch the opening stanza, 25-8. 

In the second set, Monroe led from wire to wire as the Blue and Gold cruised to a 25-13 win to take a 2-0 lead in the match.

The Hawks earned an early 5-3 lead in the third frame. However, the Express changed the tide by producing a 17-3 rally to take a commanding 20-8 hold. Rockland temporarily stopped Monroe's momentum by scoring two straight, but the Express finished strong with a 5-0 run to clinch the set, 25-10, and the Region 15 victory by a score of 3-0. 

For the Express, Carmona once again had a match-high in kills, this time with 10, while providing four digs and just as many aces. Diaz generated 16 digs, five aces, and a trio of assists. De La Rosa had five attack victories, while Hernandez finished with four kills, three digs, and two service aces. Lopez and Eddy finished with three kills each with the former providing three assists. Bonilla continued her solid afternoon with three kills, a dig, and a block. 

Also, for Monroe, Batista had a match-high 11 assists. Ramos compiled nine helpers, five service victories, and four defensive bumps. Paul chipped in with two digs, while Stephenson added a kill.

After a long road trip, Monroe – Bronx will return home on Wednesday for a Region 15 match against Queensborough Community College. First serve at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium is set for 6:30 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).