TYLER, Texas, September 29, 2017 – Facing a pair of challenging opponents, the Monroe College women's volleyball team dropped both of its matches on Friday at the Holiday Inn South Broadway TJC Invite, hosted by Tyler Junior College. The Mustangs dropped a three-set match to Hutchinson Community College in the morning, and fell later in the afternoon to Blinn College in straight sets.
 
MATCH 1: Hutchinson 3, Monroe 0
The Mustangs dropped three close sets in Friday's opener. Monroe dropped the first frame, 25-20, before Hutchinson managed back-to-back 25-21 wins to claim the match.
 
Karla Figueroa led all players with 13 kills in the opener, hitting .357 in the process. Alexis Baer handed out 21 assists and served up a pair of aces. Nashally Eleutiza led the floor with 18 digs. Marissa Hackett and Maria Camila Salazar both added seven kills and two blocks apiece.
 
MATCH 2: Blinn 3, Monroe 0
The Mustangs and Buccaneers went back-and-forth in the opening game of Friday's finale, but after forcing the set past 25 points, Blinn came out on top with a 27-25 win to claim the opening frame. Another close set went the way of the Buccaneers after a late run gave them a 25-20 victory. Blinn kept its momentum rolling to pick up a 25-19 win to close out the match.
 
Kyra Kaloi led the Mustangs with 10 kills in their second match, adding a pair of blocks and five digs. Baer registered 17 assists, while Eleutiza and Anyela Aquino matched with 16 digs apiece.
 
The Mustangs will look to finish the weekend in Texas strong with another pair of tough matches on Saturday, Sept. 30. They will open the day with a 10 a.m. EST match against Missouri State University – West Plains, followed by a 12 p.m. contest with No. 13 Navarro College.
 
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).