TYLER, Texas, September 28, 2017 – After a long day of traveling back down south for the second time in as many weekends, the Monroe College women's volleyball team fell to host Tyler Junior College in three sets on Thursday in the Mustangs' first match of the Holiday Inn South Broadway – TJC Invite. Monroe falls to 10-5 on the year, while Tyler jumps to 8-6.
 
The Mustangs fell behind early in the first set before rallying to get back within a point at 12-11. They were back within one at 19-18 before four straight points for the Apaches gave the home team a five-point edge, which they used to take a 25-20 win and a 1-0 lead on the night.
 
The Apaches held a slight edge throughout the second set, but a late run helped the tournament hosts pull away and take a 25-19 win and a two-set lead. Tyler took a 6-1 lead right off the bat in the third frame. The Apaches eventually pulled out to a 19-9 advantage before the Mustangs caught fire. Monroe took six of the next seven points to make it a 20-15 game, and then took 3-of-4 to make it a 21-18 contest. Tyler took two, then Monroe took two, forcing Tyler to use a timeout with a 23-20 lead. The Apaches took the first point after the timeout, and the Mustangs got one right back on a service error, but the home team managed to wrap things up on the ensuing point to close out the match.
 
Nerealice Quirindongo led the Mustangs with five kills on the evening, adding a block and a dig. Maria Camila Salazar had four kills and a pair of blocks. Daline Rios dished out 11 assists, while Alexis Baer handed out 10. Nashally Eleutiza led the team with nine digs, and also added three assists. Marissa Hackett contributed four kills, a pair of aces and a block.
 
The Mustangs will look to bounce back with four more matches in Texas over the next two days. They will first take on Hutching Community College on Friday, Sept. 29, at 11 a.m. EST, followed by a matchup with Blinn College at 3 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 26 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's rugby, and the newly added club women's rugby team, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, will have six teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level beginning in the fall of 2017.
 
For more information about the Monroe Mustangs, please visit us at www.MonroeCollegeMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe College Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs), and follow Mustang women's volleyball on Instagram (@monroecollege_wvb).