CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team began its four-match, two-day road trip at Finger Lakes Community College on Saturday. The Express dropped the first two matches of the slate. First, it was a 3-1 score to Genesee Community College. Then, the Blue and Gold fell in straight sets to Jefferson Community College. Both matches took place inside Putt Moore Gymnasium.
In the opening contest against the Cougars, set scores were 25-18, 16-25, 25-21 and 25-16.
Yamelyn Bonilla and Robyn Eddy led Monroe offensively with nine kills apiece, while Sarai Hernandez added six.
After dropping the first stanza, the Express bounced back in the second set, hitting .200 while limiting Genesee to a -.167 hitting percentage to even the match at one set apiece.
Genesee regained the match-lead with a 25-21 win in the third game before closing out the match in the fourth. The Cougars' offense finished strong, hitting .241 in the final set to secure the victory.
Darilenia Paulino led the Monroe offense with 26 assists, while Bonilla recorded a team-high 13 digs. Ayleenee Salbitani Lopez added 12 digs, and Nicole Garrett contributed nine.
Eddy anchored the Express at the net with five blocks, while Hernandez added two and Bonilla recorded one. Monroe also totaled 12 service aces, led by Salbitani Lopez with three.
As a team, Monroe finished with 31 kills, 12 service aces, 30 assists, 60 digs, and seven blocks while hitting .073.
For Genesee (19-4), Kylee Kolbash led all players with 15 kills and added 14 digs. Brooke Chiaramonte recorded 19 assists to lead the Cougars' offense.
Against Jefferson, set scores were 25-23, 25-16, and 25-13.
Bonilla led Monroe with six kills, while Salbitani Lopez added five. The Express battled Jefferson in the opening set, keeping the score close before the Cannoneers edged out a 25-23 victory.
Jefferson carried its momentum into the second set, hitting .226 to earn a 25-16 win.
The Cannoneers then closed out the match in the third, limiting Monroe to one kill while forcing nine attack errors to secure a 25-13 victory.
Salbitani Lopez and Garrett each recorded nine digs to lead the Express defensively, while Bonilla contributed seven. Paulino paced the offense with 10 assists.
From the service line, Salbitani Lopez led Monroe with four aces. Eddy recorded two blocks. Hernandez and Garrett each added one block.
As a team, Monroe finished with 15 kills, seven service aces, 14 assists, 42 digs, and three blocks.
For Jefferson (12-7), Kaitlyn Pownall led all players with 12 kills, while Abigail Rudd recorded 25 assists and five service aces. Jasmene Duymaz led the Cannoneers with six blocks.
The Express will close out the Finger Lakes trip on Sunday with a double dual against a pair of nationally ranked opponents. The Express battle No. 8 Hudson Valley Community College at 12:30 p.m. and then No. 7 Finger Lakes Community College, the host school, at 2:45 p.m. Putt Moore Gymnasium will once again be the location of the matches.
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