GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – The nationally ranked No. 10 Monroe University – Bronx men's volleyball team split its two Region 15 matches on the campus of Nassau Community College on Saturday afternoon.

Monroe lost the first match to Borough of Manhattan Community College, 3-1, but bounced back to defeat Hostos Community College in straight sets. 

The Express (9-6, 4-2 Region 15) split their two regional regular season contests against the Panthers (4-3, 2-3 Region 15) and earn the two-match sweep over the Caimans (0-5, 0-5 Region 15).

Against BMCC, set scores were 27-25, 18-25, 25-13, and 25-18. 

The opening set against the Panthers was a heartbreaker as Monroe earned a game-point opportunity at 24-19. However, the Express could not close it out as Manhattan went on an 8-1 run to snatch the miraculous come-from-behind victory over the Blue and Gold, 27-25.

Monroe fell behind 9-6 in the second set but responded with six unanswered points, highlighted by three service aces from Darren Lopez, to catapult to a 12-9 advantage. BMCC managed to tie it three more times and even take a 15-14 edge, but Monroe countered with eight straight points, capped by a kill from Johnnovan Reyes, to surge the Express to a 22-15 lead. Monroe was able to hold off BMCC the rest of the way to even the match at a game apiece.

Manhattan earned a wire-to-wire win in the third frame to put Monroe – Bronx on the brink.

With the fourth set deadlocked at eight, the Panthers went on a 7-3 run to take a 15-11 benefit. Monroe could not generate a consistent run to get back into it as the Panthers pulled away to earn the 25-18 win in the game and a 3-1 victory in the match.

Leading the way for the Express was Darren Lopez who compiled nine kills, seven digs, and five service aces. Frandie Martin had a strong match with seven putdowns, three aces, and just as many defensive bumps. Reyes tallied 20 assists and six digs. Pedro Bello Lopez compiled 12 digs and two assists. Fidel Ramirez provided three kills and two blocks. Edwin Ortega added three successful attacks and six attack-neutralizing bumps. David Garcia anchored the defense with seven digs. J'Adon George generated two kills and four bumps.

In the victory over Hostos, set scores were 25-16, 25-14, and 25-22. 

The Express fell behind 3-0 in the opening game but scored three straight to tie it up. After the Caimans claimed a 6-4 edge, Martin and Mateo Somera combined for back-to-back kills to tie it up. After it became a 10-10 deadlock, a putdown by Darren Lopez sparked a 10-3 blitz that gave the Blue and Gold a 20-13 advantage on the way to a 25-16 opening-set win.

Monroe jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the second set and never looked back to secure a 25-14 victory and a 2-0 cushion in the overall match. 

The third stanza was more challenging as Monroe – Bronx fell behind, 9-7. The tide changed as a kill by Erick Gutierrez kick-started a 6-1 run that rifled the Express to a 13-10 vantage. Hostos responded by winning seven of the next nine rallies to spring to a 17-15 lead. 

After the Express tied it up, the Caimans went on another run. This time it was a 4-1 clip to put Monroe in a 21-18 hole. The Express flipped the switch at that point as a kill by Luis Vasquez began a 7-1 match-ending run. With Monroe earning a set-point opportunity at 24-22, George slammed the ball through the Caimans' defense to clinch the three-set victory for Monroe.

For the Express, Vasquez had a strong outing with five kills, seven digs, and four aces. Reyes added 12 assists and two aces, while Garcia tacked on six digs. George added three kills and just as many digs. Ramirez provided three putdowns, while Rogelio Guarneros and Pedro Bello Lopez each added three defensive bumps, with the former scoring three service victories. Darren Lopez had a trio of the following: kills, digs, and aces. Aiverson Guillen recorded three defensive bumps and two assists. Somera added two kills. Damien Ramos notched three successful attacks with two digs. 

No. 10 Monroe – Bronx will travel to Lincroft, N.J. on Monday for a national showdown against No. 9 Brookdale Community College. First serve at Robert J. Collins Arena 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.

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