NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – In a battle of nationally ranked teams on Thursday evening, the No. 8 Monroe University – Bronx men's volleyball team just fell short to No. 10 Atlantic Cape Community College in five sets. The scores were 24-26, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, and 15-13. The thrilling contest took place at Monroe Athletic Complex. 

Leading the way for the Express (4-4) was Darren Lopez who had a monster match with 17 kills, nine digs, seven blocks, and two assists. Steven Francis Ouellet notched seven kills, 13 digs, and six blocks. Johnnovan Reyes tallied a double-double with 34 assists and 13 defensive bumps. Rogelio Guarneros anchored the defense with 10 digs. J'Adon George added six kills and seven blocks. Frandie Martin recorded eight kills and a trio of digs.

In the opening set, the Buccaneers (4-1) broke a 22-22 tie with two straight points to earn a set-point opportunity. The Express rallied with four straight rally-victories, highlighted by a kill each from Edwin Ortega and Lopez, and then closed out with a kill courtesy of George, to complete a come-from-behind opening set victory for the Blue and Gold, 26-24.

Monroe fell behind, 10-5, in the second set but three putdowns by Lopez highlighted a 7-0 blitz by the Express, which was capped by a successful attack from Reyes to catapult Monroe – Bronx to a 12-10 edge. Later in the stanza, the Express nursed a 16-15 benefit. Atlantic Cape took over from that point with a 9-1 run to not only reclaim the lead but earn a set-point position at 24-17. The Express stayed alive by scoring the next two points but then committed an attack error to clinch the frame for the visitors and a 1-1 tie in the match.

The Blue and Gold fell behind by four twice in the early stages of the third set. However, the Express stormed back with an 11-3 rally, concluded by a kill courtesy of Lopez, to jump out a 15-11 advantage. Monroe was able to hold off Atlantic Cape for the rest of the stanza and earn the 25-22 victory to take a 2-1 lead in the match. 

For the second frame in a row, Monroe – Bronx fell behind 8-4. However, the Express scored the next five points, keyed by putdowns from Lopez, Francis Ouellet, and Martin, to put the home team ahead by a 9-8 tally. Later in the set, a kill by Martin highlighted a 3-1 run for Monroe to put the Blue and Gold in an 18-16 advantage. However, the Buccaneers won seven of the next nine points to suddenly drop Monroe into a 23-20 hole. Francis Ouellet and George got the Express back on track with back-to-back putdowns to pull their team to within one. Unfortunately for Monroe, Brandon Stolfo and Matthew Viruet notched back-to-back kills of their own to clinch the fourth set for the Bucs and a 2-2 tie in the match, meaning a fifth and deciding set was needed. 

The Express fell behind, 3-0, in the rubber stanza but then a kill by Ortega kick-started a 3-0 run by Monroe to tie it up. Atlantic Cape responded with a 5-3 rally to take an 8-6 edge before the two teams switched sides on the court. Monroe regained its composure as a kill by Francis Ouellet began a run of four unanswered points to propel the Express to a 10-8 advantage, prompting the visiting team to call a timeout. Coming out of the huddle, the Buccaneers snatched the momentum with four straight points of their own to put Monroe in a 12-10 disadvantage. The Blue and Gold responded as a kill each from Martin and Lopez evened the fifth set at 12 points apiece. After Monroe fell back behind by one, George slammed the ball through the opposing defense and onto the floor to even the deciding stanza at 13. However, Monroe committed an attack error to give the Buccaneers a match-point opportunity. Atlantic Cape immediately took advantage as a kill by Isaac Fishman clinched the five-set victory for the Bucs.

Helping the Express during the evening was Ortega who finished with six kills, four digs, and three blocks. Aiverson Guillen helped neutralize the opposing attacks with nine digs, while Luis Vasquez added a trio of defensive bumps of his own.

For the Buccaneers, Daymeon Hallock had an outstanding match with 18 kills, 10 digs, and five blocks. Stolfo also had a double-double with 12 kills and 14 digs. Fishman compiled nine putdowns, 14 assists, 12 digs, and a match-high nine service aces. Jordan Kaarby added six kills, 26 helpers, 11 digs, and five blocks.

Monroe – Bronx will open Region 15 play on Saturday with a pair of matches on the campus of Borough of Manhattan Community College. The Express will battle the host-Panthers at 12 p.m. and then take on Hostos Community College at approximately 2 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, 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).