BRENTWOOD, N.Y. – The Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team earned a 3-0 sweep over Suffolk Community College on Thursday evening at Suffolk Credit Union Arena, winning by set scores of 25-17, 25-19, and 25-23. The victory improves the Express to 14-9 overall and 13-4 in Region 15 play. The Blue and Gold earned its second win over the Sharks this season.
With the victory, Monroe clinches the No. 4 seed in the regional standings and will host a Region 15 Quarterfinal match next Thursday, October 29, at Roberto Clemente State Park Gym beginning at 7 p.m. The opponent is to be determined.
Monroe controlled the opening set, pulling away for a 25-17 victory behind 12 kills. The Express carried that momentum into the second set, overcoming an early deficit with a strong run that turned an 8-2 disadvantage into a 10-9 lead. Monroe continued to build its advantage and closed out the set, 25-19, to move within one set of the sweep.
Suffolk County (10-5, 10-5 Region 15) presented its toughest challenge in the third set, taking an early lead and holding a 13-7 advantage. The Express began their comeback with a kill from Ayleenee Salbitani Lopez, followed by a series of key plays from Brycelynn Paul, who contributed a kill and helped fuel Monroe's push. Paul added a service ace to bring the Express within one at 14-13, and Yamelyn Bonilla followed with a kill to tie the score at 15-15. Sarai Hernandez then recorded a putdown to give Monroe its first lead of the set at 16-15.
The teams continued trading points before the Blue and Gold pulled ahead late. With the score tied at 19, Darilenia Paulino delivered a service ace to put the Express in front, and Nicole Garrett and Robyn Eddy teamed up for a crucial block to make it 21-19. Salbitani Lopez added another service ace to extend the lead to 23-20, and Monroe reached match point at 24-20. Suffolk County rallied with three consecutive scores to cut the margin to 24-23, but the Express held on to finish the set, 25-23, and complete the sweep.
Bonilla led Monroe with 13 kills, while Salbitani Lopez added nine and Eddy contributed seven. Paulino orchestrated the offense with 32 assists, while Paul led the team with three service aces. Hernandez anchored the defense at the net with four total blocks, and Eddy added two.
Paul also paced Monroe defensively with 16 digs, followed by Bonilla with 14 and Salbitani Lopez with 10. Keilyn Gamboa added four digs of her own.
The Express finished with advantages in kills, 37-27; assists, 36-27; and digs, 62-55, while recording seven service aces and six total blocks.
Suffolk County was led by Chelsea Coard, who recorded 14 kills, while Vanessa Fieschel finished with 22 assists. Sofia Lopez Toro, Kamryn DeCicco, and Mackenzie David each recorded 11 digs for the Sharks.
For more information regarding the Express' regional quarterfinal match next Thursday, check out www.MonroeExpress.com as well as our social media channels.
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). Catch us on YouTube at
www.YouTube.com/MonroeExpress.
