NORTH BRANCH, N.J., October 24, 2019 – The regular-season slate came to an end of the Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team on Thursday, as the Mustangs picked up a three-set victory over Raritan Valley Community College. The Mustangs will enter postseason play with a 20-11 record, while Lions fall to 17-5.
 
The night did not get off to a good start for the Mustangs, as the Lions jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the opening set. It did not stay that way for long, as the Mustangs then went on a 10-1 run, taking an 11-7 advantage. The Mustangs continued to separate themselves from the Lions, scoring 8-of-9 to push their lead to 22-11, before scoring the final three points of the set for a 25-12 win.
 
The Lions managed to once again take an early lead in the second game, going up, 7-4, before three straight points by the Mustangs tied things up. The teams traded the lead back-and-forth until an eight-point stretch for Monroe put the visitors on top, 19-12. The Mustangs led by seven at 22-15, and held tight to the lead late to pick up a 25-19 win and go up, 2-0.
 
The third frame was neck-and-neck for much of the game, seeing the Mustangs hold a slim 17-16 edge. The Mustangs increased their lead to 20-17 shortly after, but the Lions got two right back to get within one once again. The Mustangs then had the Lions on their heels with a four-point run to earn match point at 24-19. The Lions got one more point, but the Mustangs closed it out on the next play to pick up a 25-20 win and wrap up the match.
 
Giulia La Longa totaled 14 kills in the win. Lillian Olson added eight kills with five digs. Zassmine Birdwell hit a team-high .545 to go with her seven kills and two blocks. Alondra Garcia earned a double-double with team highs of 20 assists and 13 digs on Thursday. Alondra Ramos matched her 13 digs and added a pair of blocks and four kills. Melanie Orsini had 11 digs, as well as five assists and two service aces.
 
The Mustangs are now set for the Region Championship match, which will be played on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs will host Harford Community College on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The winner will advance to the Gulf Atlantic District Championship tournament in Alabama.
 
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).