NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 8 Monroe University – Bronx men's volleyball team earned an impressive 3-1 victory over Passaic County Community College, at Monroe Athletic Complex, on Monday evening. Set scores were 28-26, 22-25, 25-18, and 25-12.

The Express advance to 13-7, while the Panthers drop to 5-7.

In the opening set, Monroe trailed 23-22. Frandie Martin slammed a kill and then Darren Lopez scored a service ace to not only catapult the Express to a 24-23 edge but also earn them a set-point opportunity. However, the Blue and Gold committed a pair of errors to give Passaic County a set-point opportunity of its own at 25-24. Monroe answered back as a kill each by Martin and Steven Francis Ouellet leaped the Express to a 26-25 advantage and another chance to clinch the opening game. Passaic County stayed alive thanks to a service error by Monroe – Bronx. Fortunately for the Express, Ouellet slammed back-to-back kills to win Set 1 for the Blue and Gold, 28-26.

Monroe had an early 9-5 advantage in the second stanza, but Passaic County went on a 7-1 run to snatch a 12-10 benefit. The Express played catch-up the rest of the frame as the Panthers won, 25-22, to tie the match at a game apiece.

The Blue and Gold bounced back and led from wire to wire in the third set. The key stretch was a 7-0 run by the Express that inflated their lead from 16-15 to 23-15. Later, an attack error by Passaic County gave Monroe a 25-22 win and a 2-1 advantage in the match.

The Express fell behind by as many as two, and then 5-4, in the early stages of the fourth stanza. Monroe responded as a kill by Ouellet not only tied it at five but began a 5-0 run that put the home team in the lead for good at 9-5. After the Panthers scored the next point, Monroe went on a 12-3 rally, capped by a kill from Johnnovan Reyes, to put the Blue and Gold up 21-9. After Passaic County scored the next three points, Monroe finished it off by winning the next four rallies. With the score 24-12 in favor of Monroe, Martin capped that 4-0 run with a kill to clinch the 3-1 match-victory for Monroe – Bronx. 

For the Express, Pedro Bello Lopez anchored the defense with a career-high 32 digs. Darren Lopez produced a double-double with 12 kills and 10 digs, while scoring three service aces. Martin added a match-high 17 kills and provided four blocks. Ouellet had a near double-double with nine putdowns and 10 defensive bumps, while providing a pair of assists. 

Also helping Monroe was Reyes who recorded 25 assists and six digs, while David Garcia chipped in with nine helpers of his own. J'Adon George compiled five kills, six digs, and a duo of blocks. Edwin Ortega generated five kills, six blocks, and a trio of defensive bumps. Fidel Ramirez finished with four kills and three digs. Aiverson Guillen chipped in on defense with five digs.

For Passaic County, Albert Urena and Sandor Calvopina each slammed 14 kills, with the former adding 12 digs and two blocks. The latter had eight defensive bumps and a pair of assists. Michael Egusquiza added 15 assists and seven digs. Andre Roach provided 13 helpers. Pablo Cristosomo tied a match-high with 32 digs. Daniel Reyes scored three service aces and had just as many digs. Abrahem Deebo tallied four kills and eight blocks. Efrain Lozado had three defensive bumps.  

Monroe – Bronx will have a regional and national showdown against nationally ranked No. 3, the defending Region 15 champions, and 2025 NJCAA National Invitational runner-up Nassau Community College on Tuesday evening. First serve at Monsignor Scanlan Gymnasium is set for 7 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).