BRONX – The Monroe University – Bronx women's volleyball team earned a hard-fought victory over Suffolk County Community College, 3-1, in Region 15 play at Roberto Clemente State Park Gym on Thursday evening. Set scores were 25-12, 17-25, 25-21, and 25-18.
Monroe (11-3, 10-2 Region 15) extends its winning streak to four matches, all of them being in regional play. The Express are now fourth overall in the Region 15 standings while Suffolk County (7-3, 7-3 Region 15) is in fifth place.
"A much-needed win against Suffolk County," Express Head Coach Odaly Aponte-Orta said. "Just the momentum we needed to kick off the Finger Lakes Tournament strong! The Express are finding their rhythm, building confidence, and pushing forward. One game at a time!"
With the score 10-6 in favor of the Express in the opening set, the Blue and Gold inflated its lead by scoring nine unanswered points, capped by a kill from
Ayleenee Salbitani Lopez, to put Monroe up 19-6. Later in the frame, a putdown by
Nicole Garrett gave the Express a set-point opportunity at 24-12. The home team wasted no time as
Yamelyn Bonilla slammed the ball through the opposing defense for a kill to clinch the opening set for Monroe, 25-12.
In the second game, back-to-back kills by Bonilla evened the frame at 13 points. Suffolk County turned the tide by closing out the set with a 12-4 run, highlighted by three kills and a service ace from Sofia Lopez Toro, to earn a come-from-behind win in Set 2, 25-17, and even the match at a game apiece.
It looked bleak for the Express in the third set as the Sharks jumped out to a 13-7 benefit. Salbitani Lopez began to turn the momentum for Monroe – Bronx by converting a kill which sparked a 7-1 run, capped by Salbitani Lopez's service ace, to even the stanza at 14 points apiece. After Suffolk County won the next two rallies, the Express answered by capturing 10 of the next 11 points, highlighted by two putdowns courtesy of
Sarai Hernandez, to give Monroe a set-point opportunity at 24-17. Suffolk County did not go down without a fight as the visiting team scored four points in a row to stay alive in the stanza. However,
Darilenia Paulino set up Hernandez who drilled a kill to clinch the third set, 25-21, and a 2-1 surplus in the match for Monroe.
The Express got off to a slow start in the fourth set as Suffolk County jumped out to an early 7-3 advantage. Monroe responded as a kill by
Robyn Eddy began a run of seven straight points for the Express to give them a 10-7 benefit. The Blue and Gold did not surrender the lead for the remainder of the night as a kill from Hernandez clinched the win in the set and the overall match for Monroe – Bronx.
Bonilla registered a double-double for the Express during the evening with 16 kills and 12 digs, while scoring two service aces. Paulino also had a double-double with 34 assists and 17 digs, both match highs. Hernandez provided nine kills, two blocks, a duo of defensive bumps, and a pair of assists. Salbitani Lopez generated eight kills, 13 digs, and a trio of aces.
Also helping the Blue and Gold was
Jopnerys Espinal Chalas who produced a career-best 15 digs to go along with four assists. Garrett registered three kills, 12 defensive bumps, and a trio of service victories. Eddy scored six putdowns.
For Suffolk County, Vanessa Fieschel tied a match-best 17 digs while providing 17 assists for the double-double. Lopez Toro compiled seven kills, 11 digs, and three helpers. Chelsea Coard added eight successful attacks and nine defensive bumps. Kamryn DeCicco provided seven kills, nine digs, four assists, and a trio of aces. Mackenzie David had a strong defensive performance with 11 digs, while Jaiden White tacked on nine defensive bumps.
Monroe – Bronx will travel to Upstate New York this weekend for four matches in two days. The action begins on Saturday with Monroe taking on Genesee Community College at 12:30 p.m. and then Jefferson Community College at 2:45 p.m. Both matches will take place on the campus of Finger Lakes Community College.
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.
