NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 8 Monroe University – Bronx men's volleyball team earned a convincing straight-set victory over Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, on Friday evening, at Monroe Athletic Complex.
Set scores were 25-14, 25-21, and 25-8.

With the win, Monroe now sets a program single-season record for wins with 11, breaking the previous mark of 10 in 2025.

"We are thrilled with tonight's victory," Express Head Coach Marien Garcia said. "The match played out in our favor, and we really enjoyed our time on the court. This win marks a significant milestone for our program, bringing us to over 10 victories this season."

In the opening game, Frandie Martin scored the contest's first point with a kill and that sparked the Express to a 10-0 run to start the evening. The Panthers (0-3) fought back and cut the deficit to two on three occasions, capped by a kill from Aaron Connell that shrunk the Blue and Gold's lead to 14-12. The Express (11-7) got back on track as two kills by Fidel Ramirez and a successful attack courtesy of Darren Lopez highlighted a 7-0 run that gave Monroe more breathing room at 21-12. Later, the Express earned a set-point opportunity at 24-14 and Darren Lopez clinched the victory in the opening game with a service ace.

Albany College led for the majority of the second set as a service victory courtesy of Thomas Seedhom put the Express in a 16-13 hole. Monroe stormed back as Ramirez slammed four kills during a 7-1 rally that gave the Blue and Gold a 20-17 benefit. The Express were able to hold off the Panthers the rest of the frame to earn the 25-21 win and a 2-0 lead in the match.

Monroe – Bronx's strong finish in the second set carried over into the third as a kill by Steven Francis Oullet gave the Express a 6-0 hold. Albany College could not generate a run to get back into it as the Blue and Gold won the third frame, 25-8, to clinch a 3-0 win in the match.

Leading the way for the Express was Ramirez who tallied nine kills and two blocks. J'Adon George had a monster outing with six kills and five blocks. Martin added five putdowns, while Edwin Ortega notched four successful attacks. Ouellet finished with six kills and seven digs. Darren Lopez generated three kills, a match-high nine digs, and two service aces. David Garcia led all players with 17 assists. Johnnovan Reyes tallied 11 helpers. Pedro Bello Lopez pushed up five defensive bumps. 

The Express will travel to Boston on Saturday for a 1 p.m. match against Roxbury Community College at Reggie Lewis Center.

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).