BRONX – The #4-seed Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team earned a hard-fought victory in the Region 15 Quarterfinal against #5-seed Suffolk County Community College, 3-1, at Roberto Clemente State Park Gym on Thursday evening.
Monroe secures a spot in the regional semifinal which will take place on Saturday at 12 p.m. on the campus of Nassau Community College. The Express will battle the top seed and nationally ranked No. 14 Fashion Institute of Technology. The winner of the semifinal match will not only play in the Region 15 Final but also clinch a berth in the upcoming NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Tournament. Monroe is the reigning four-time district champions.
In the Express' four-set win over the Sharks, set scores were 25-19, 23-25, 25-20, and 25-23.
In the opening game, the Express (15-9) fell behind, 12-8, but answered by scoring seven of the next eight points to jump out to a 15-13 edge.
Sarai Hernandez slammed two kills during Monroe's big run in the opening set. Suffolk County (11-7) tied it up at 15 but then Monroe won five of the next six rallies, highlighted by two kills from
Nicole Garrett and a service ace from
Ayleenee Salbitani Lopez, to put Monroe in the lead once again. The Blue and Gold fought off Suffolk County to win the opening stanza, 25-19.
A pair of service aces by
Yamelyn Bonilla sparked Monroe to an 11-10 edge in the second set. However, the Sharks countered with a 5-1 blitz to take a 15-12 benefit. The Express played catch-up for the remainder of the set, and the Sharks went on to win the frame, 25-23, to even the match at a game apiece.
Suffolk County had a 12-11 advantage in the third set, putting Monroe in danger of being stunned and having its season end early. However, the Express won five of the next six rallies to catapult to a 16-13 surplus. Monroe held the lead for the remainder of the stanza and claimed the third set, 25-20, to take a 2-1 lead in the overall quarterfinal match.
In the late stages of the fourth set, the Sharks gained the upper hand as a kill by Ella Ingoglia put Monroe in a 21-19 hole. Salbitani Lopez and
Robyn Eddy countered by combining for back-to-back kills to even it up at 21. The Express continued their momentum as Hernandez slammed a kill to cap a 4-0 run which gave Monroe a 23-21 lead. Each team split the next two rallies which earned the Express a match-point opportunity at 24-22. Chelsea Coard slammed a kill to keep the Sharks alive. However, Suffolk County committed a setting error on the next play to clinch the regional playoff win for Monroe.
"Nothing came easy tonight," Express Head Coach
Odaly Aponte-Orta said. "A hard-fought battle that tested our mental toughness, determination, and heart. Every point was earned, every rally was a fight, and we refused to back down. Great teams don't fold under pressure; they rise to the challenge."
For the Express,
Darilenia Paulino produced a double-double during the evening with 31 assists and a career-high 32 digs. Hernandez slammed 11 kills, produced a hitting percentage of .222, and picked up five digs. Salbitani Lopez notched five kills, just as many aces, 17 digs, and a duo of assists.
Nicole Garrett recorded five kills and 18 digs.
Also helping Monroe was
Yamelyn Bonilla who produced nine kills, 15 defensive bumps, and three service victories.
Brycelynn Paul anchored the defense with 12 digs, while
Jopnerys Espinal Chalas added 10 digs of her own. Eddy finished with five kills and four blocks. She now has 96 career blocks.
For the Sharks, Coard had 16 kills and 10 digs. Vanessa Fieschel compiled five kills, 33 helpers, and 12 digs. Sofia Lopez Toro had a team-high 30 defensive bumps, while adding three kills and six assists. Kamryn DeCicco had a strong match defensively with 20 digs and added eight kills on the attack with a pair of service aces. Mackenzie David tallied 13 digs and two assists. Ingoglia had a near double-double with nine kills and 10 defensive bumps.
For more information regarding Monroe's Region 15 Semifinal showdown with FIT, keep checking
www.MonroeExpress.com as well as our social media channels.
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