LINCROFT, N.J. – The nationally ranked No. 8 Monroe University – Bronx men's volleyball team earned a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Brookdale Community College, at Robert J. Collins Arena, on Monday evening. Set scores were 25-23, 15-25, 28-26, and 25-20.

Frandie Martin led the way for the Blue and Gold with a match-high 16 kills. Darren Lopez contributed with seven putdowns, nine digs, a pair of service aces, and a duo of assists. Edwin Ortega tallied four kills and just as many blocks. Steven Francis Ouellet tallied five successful attacks and eight defensive bumps. 

Fidel Ramirez provided six kills, four blocks, and three digs for Monroe. Johnnovan Reyes helped with 23 assists and a trio of defensive bumps. Pedro Bello Lopez anchored the defense with a match-best 13 digs. David Garcia compiled 11 helpers and three attack-neutralizing bumps. J'Adon George recorded three kills, three blocks, and a duo of digs. 

"We played a great match tonight," Martin said. "We did what we were supposed to do."

In the opening set, the Jersey Blues (4-5) jumped out to a 17-13 advantage. The Express turned the tide by scoring five straight points, highlighted by two kills from Ouellet, to jump out in front. Brookdale regained the lead four times down the stretch of Set 1, including a 23-22 edge. Monroe finished strong with three straight points, capped by back-to-back kills by Martin, to clinch the opening-game victory for the Blue and Gold.

Brookdale controlled the second set and eventually evened the match at a game apiece.

The third set had a wild finish as the Jersey Blues had two set-point opportunities (24-23 and 25-24). The Express took advantage of a pair of attack errors to snatch a game-point opportunity of their own at 26-25. Mauricio Catalan slammed a kill to even it up at 26. Monroe benefited from another attack error by the opposition to earn its second set-point position of the frame. This time, Monroe finished it off thanks to a kill by Darren Lopez to secure a 28-26 win for the Blue and Gold in the third set and a 2-1 lead in the match.

The fourth set was close throughout, but the Express led it from wire to wire. A kill by Martin provided Monroe – Bronx a set-point opportunity at 24-18. The Jersey Blues won the next two rallies to stay alive but then Ouellet finished it off with a kill to clinch the game and the match for the Express.

Monroe - Bronx will have a Region 15 showdown against the defending champion and nationally ranked No. 3 Nassau Community College on Tuesday evening. First serve at Nassau Main Gym 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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