HUTCHINSON, Kan., November 15, 2018 – Despite playing tough in all three sets, the No. 16-seed Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team fell to top-seeded, and two-time defending champion Miami Dade College in three sets on Thursday in the first round of the NJCAA Div. I Women's Volleyball Championships at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
 
The Mustangs got off to a strong start against the two-time defending champs, going up 4-2 before later grabbing a 7-5 lead early on. The Sharks then took 8-of-9 to go up, 13-8. The Mustangs got a point back, but the Sharks then scored four in a row to take a 17-9 and force Monroe to take a timeout. The Mustangs were able to keep up with the Sharks from that point on, but still fell, 25-16, in the opening set.
 
The Sharks took the early lead in the second frame, going up 9-2. The Mustangs rallied back to get within three at 12-9, but the Miami Dade lead soon grew to 20-13. The Mustangs continued to fight, cutting the deficit to 22-18, but the Sharks regained momentum to close it out with a 25-18 win for a 2-0 lead in the match.
 
Monroe kept it tight throughout the third set, trailing by just one at 10-9 early on. The Mustangs fell behind, 22-18, but quickly closed the gap with four straight points to knot things up at 22-22. Miami Dade called timeout and regrouped, picking up the final three points for a 25-22 win and a 3-0 victory.
 
Maria Camila Salazar led the Mustangs with nine kills and tied for the team lead with a pair of blocks. Tereza Strnadlova contributed seven kills and hit .385, while Karla Figueroa added six of her own. Nashally Eleutiza had 15 digs, while Strnadlova picked up 13. Maryorie Cruz Baez dished out 15 assists, while Daline Rios handed out 10.
 
With the loss, the Mustangs are eliminated from championship contention, but their weekend is not over yet. Monroe will continue in the consolation bracket, and will take on No. 8 Mineral Area College. That match will take place on Friday at 1 p.m. EST.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 27 teams competing across nine sports. There are 18 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Monroe Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus as of the fall of 2017, has seven teams competing at the NJCAA Division III level.
 
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).