ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., October 20, 2019 – The Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team closed out a challenging weekend in Florida on Sunday with a match at No. 12 St. Petersburg College. The Mustangs played tough, as they did all weekend, but ultimately fell in four to the Titans. The Mustangs fall to 18-11 on the year with the loss, while the Titans improve to 12-3.
 
Neither team gained an advantage early in the first set until a three-point run by the Mustangs had them on top, 10-7. The Titans were able to get the lead right back, going up 13-12, but the set continued to go back-and-forth. Monroe went on a four-point run late in the frame to take a 22-19, and later held set point at 24-21, but the Titans picked up three straight to force extra points. The Mustangs took control right back, scoring the next two points to pick up a 26-24 victory and go up, 1-0, in the match.
 
The momentum carried over early on in the second set, seeing the Mustangs jump out to an 11-7 lead. Monroe continued to lead until the Titans scored 8-of-10, putting them on top, 20-17. It was a one-point game shortly after when the Titans led, 22-21, but they took three of the final four points to pick up the 25-22 win and tie the match at 1-1.
 
The third frame was once again close like the first two, seeing the Titans lead, 14-13, midway through. A four-point run by the Titans put them ahead by five, and another one shortly after made it a 22-14 game. The Mustangs were able to get a couple more points, but the Titans closed it out with a 25-16 win to go up, 2-1.
 
St. Petersburg took a 9-4 lead early on in the fourth frame, but five straight points by the Mustangs quickly closed the gap. The lead traded back-and-forth numerous times until very late in the set, reaching a 24-24 tie. The Titans were then able to pick up two straight points, grabbing a 26-24 win to win the match, 3-1.
 
Giulia La Longa had a strong day on Sunday, throwing down 16 kills while making three blocks and picking up five digs. Alondra Ramos just missed a double-double with nine kills and 12 digs, adding four blocks as well. Masoomeh Angooti was close as well with seven kills and 14 digs. Melanie Orsini led the team with 18 digs. Alondra Garcia completed a double-double with 21 assists and 10 digs, while Yarianne Gonzalez registered 15 assists and eight digs. Lillian Olson had six kills and four blocks, while Zassmine Birdwell added three kills and a team-high five blocks.
 
The Mustangs will return home Sunday evening and prepare for their next match, which will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 22, when they host Nassau Community College at the Monroe Athletic Complex and celebrate Sophomore Night. The match is set to begin at 6 p.m., with the Sophomore Night ceremony taking place shortly before the match.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 31 teams competing across nine sports. There are 19 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 12 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).