EDISON, N.J. – The nationally ranked No. 9 Monroe University – Bronx men's volleyball team earned a hard-fought 3-1 victory on the road over Middlesex College on Monday evening. Set scores were 25-19, 25-13, 23-25, and 25-23. The contest took place at Middlesex Gymnasium.
Darren Lopez had a strong match for the Express (16-11) with 19 kills, nine digs, four service aces, and two blocks.
Fidel Ramirez notched 10 putdowns, four digs, and two blocks.
Aiverson Guillen compiled 10 defensive bumps and five assists.
Johnnovan Reyes tallied 26 assists and five digs.
In the opening set, Monroe was clinging to an 18-16 edge. After that, the Blue and Gold went on a 6-2 run, highlighted by a kill each from
Darren Lopez,
Damien Ramos, and Ramirez, to earn a set-point opportunity at 24-18. After the Colts (2-20) scored the next point, they committed a service error to clinch the 25-19 win in the opening set for Monroe.
The Express padded their 14-10 advantage in the second frame by scoring eight of the next nine points, keyed by a pair of service aces from Reyes and two kills by Ramirez, to jump out to a 22-11 hold. Middlesex scored the next two points but then Monroe finished it with three consecutive rally wins, capped by a service ace from
Rogelio Guarneros, to secure a 2-0 lead in the match.
Monroe – Bronx had a 23-19 advantage in the third stanza and all signs pointed to the Blue and Gold earning a sweep. However, the Colts stormed back with six straight points, concluded by a kill from Sean Topacio, to stun Monroe with a 25-23 comeback win in the third game to pull to within 2-1 in the match.
It got worse for the Express as they fell into a 22-20 hole in the fourth stanza. However, a pair of attack errors by Middlesex evened it up at 22. The Colts bounced back as a kill by Logan Mihalics made it 23-22 in favor of the home team. The Express recovered and scored the final three points, capped by a kill from
Darren Lopez, to seal the 3-1 victory in the overall match for Monroe.
"Tonight was a really great match," Express First-Year Captain
Steven Francis Ouellet said. "Middlesex really gave us a lot on that court. I have a lot of high hopes for us (for the remainder of the year). I am really proud of the Bronx Express this season. I am so happy to be here."
Ouellet helped Monroe during the evening by notching five kills and seven digs.
David Garcia added seven helpers and four defensive bumps.
J'Adon George generated three kills and two digs. Ramos compiled two kills, four blocks, and a defensive bump.
Luis Vasquez and
Mateo Somera each slammed a kill.
For Middlesex, Topacio recorded 17 kills and five digs. Jimit Darji added 11 putdowns, six digs, four blocks, and a duo of assists. Brady Boslet tallied a double-double with 22 assists and 10 digs, while slamming two kills and adding a trio of blocks. Jason Raudales had 20 helpers and six digs. Julian Hernandez notched four kills and 10 defensive bumps, while Mihalics chipped in with six attack victories and two digs.
No. 9 Monroe – Bronx will host nationally ranked No. 4 Bryant & Stratton College – Wisconsin in a national showdown on Friday evening at Monsignor Scanlan Gym in Throggs Neck, N.Y. First serve is set for 5 p.m. It is sophomore night and several of the Express players will be honored with a ceremony prior to the start of the match.
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.
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