TWIN FALLS, Idaho, September 7, 2017 – The Monroe College women's volleyball team opened the 2017 campaign against one of the toughest teams in the country on its home court, falling to the No. 6-ranked College of Southern Idaho in three sets on the first day of the Starr Corporation Invitational. Monroe starts the year 0-1, while Southern Idaho jumps to 9-1.
An early deficit made things difficult for the Mustangs in the first set, as they dropped a 25-12 decision to the Golden Eagles to fall behind, 1-0. In the second frame, a kill by
Nerealice Quirindongo had the Mustangs within a point at 11-10. The next three points went to Southern Idaho, and the home team managed to keep a multi-point lead the rest of the way to take a second-set win by a score of 25-14.
Monroe found its rhythm in the third game, as both teams traded points back-and-forth, leading to a 13-13 stalemate midway through the set. The Mustangs made a run to take a 17-15 lead, and later had a 21-19 advantage. The home team turned things around and went on a 6-2 run to close out the frame and the match with a 25-23 win.
Maria Camila Salazar led the Mustangs with eight kills on the evening and hit an impressive .571. Quirindongo added six more kills for Monroe.
Alexis Baer handed out a team-high 19 assists.
For Southern Idaho, Airi Miyabi, Shiloh Peleras and Jovana Vukcevic each had 11 kills in the match. Morgan Weatherwax dished out a match-best 36 assists.
The Starr Corporation Invitational continues for the Mustangs with a pair of matches against Caster College and Northwest College on Friday, Sept. 8. The matches are set for 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. EST, respectively.
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).
