BOSTON – The nationally ranked No. 8 Monroe University – Bronx men's volleyball team pulled off a thrilling victory in straight sets over Roxbury Community College, on Saturday afternoon, at Reggie Lewis Center. Set scores were 25-16, 25-15, and 35-33.

The Express (12-7) fell behind early in the first set but stormed back to clinch it and take a 1-0 lead in the match. The second frame was a wire-to-wire victory for Monroe. The third set was not easy for the Blue and Gold. Roxbury (0-10) had five chances to score a set-clinching point which would have forced a fourth game. The Express had seven match-point opportunities during the frame. In the closing stretch of the third set, there were 10 ties.

The Express were down 24-22 in the third set, in danger of having to play a fourth stanza. Fidel Ramirez slammed a kill that sparked three straight points to propel Monroe to a one-point lead, and an opportunity clinch the win. Roxbury produced a 5-3 edge over the course of the next eight rallies to put the Blue and Gold in a 29-28 hole. Monroe countered with two straight points, capped by a kill from Edwin Ortega, to give the Express another match-point opportunity at 30-29. 

Monroe and Roxbury split the next four points as another kill by Ramirez gave the Express their sixth chance to end the match, this time at 32-31. However, the Tigers not only stayed alive but put themselves in prime position to snatch a victory in the third set as Nicolas Larrea and David Lahai combined for back-to-back kills to put Monroe in a 33-32 disadvantage. 

Thanks to back-to-back attack errors by Roxbury, Monroe earned a 34-33 lead and had another opportunity to close the match. Larrea tried to score a kill but his attack attempt was blocked by Johnnovan Reyes and Damien Ramos which secured the wild, back and forth third-set victory for the Express and their 12^th overall win of the season. 

"We had a great match today," Express sophomore setter David Garcia said. "It's amazing. We just have to keep winning from here on out. We keep on going every day, and we keep on grinding."

For the Express during the afternoon, Luis Vasquez had six kills and three digs. Ramos provided six putdowns and two blocks. Ramirez slammed six kills, while Mateo Somera added five successful attacks. Darren Lopez generated five kills and just as many assists. Reyes tallied 25 assists and three digs.

Also helping Monroe – Bronx was Garcia as he notched a trio of putdowns, five assists, just as many defensive bumps, and a pair of service aces. Steven Francis Ouellet added three kills and two blocks. Ortega and Frandie Martin each scored three successful attacks, with the former recording two digs. Aiverson Guillen had a solid match with five digs and two assists. J'Adon George compiled two blocks. Pedro Bello Lopez added two digs, while Rogelio Guarneros chipped in with a service ace and a defensive bump.

Monroe – Bronx will host Passaic County Community College, at Monroe Athletic Complex, on Monday evening. First serve is set for 8 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).