HUTCHINSON, Kan., November 21, 2019 – In what can only be described as a tremendous effort, the No. 16-seeded Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team pushed No. 1 Navarro College to its limits on Thursday in the NJCAA Div. I Volleyball Championship first round at the Hutchinson Sports Arena. Unfortunately, the Mustangs ultimately fell in four close sets, eliminating them from championship contention. The Mustangs will continue to play in Hutchinson this weekend, as they begin the consolation bracket tomorrow.
 
In a top seed vs. bottom seed matchup on Thursday, it was the 16th-seeded Mustangs that got the early jump, hanging tight to a three-point lead at 10-7. The Bulldogs managed to tie up the opening set at 12-12, and then the teams went back-and-forth before Navarro jumped out to an 18-15 advantage. Things were tied back up at 21-21, but the top-seeded Bulldogs scored the last four points of the game for a 25-21 win.
 
Navarro used a 5-1 run early in the second set to take a 10-7 lead on the Mustangs. The Bulldogs later took a four-point lead at 14-10, but the Mustangs began to chip away, going on a big run to take a 17-15 advantage. The Mustangs went down, 18-17, but after scoring three straight to take the lead, they never gave it back, keeping the Bulldogs from stringing together consecutive points the rest of the way to pick up a 25-22 win and tie the match at 1-1.
 
The Mustangs' momentum carried over into the third frame, as they ran out to a 11-5 lead. Monroe ran its lead all the way to 16-11 before a big run by the Bulldogs tied the set up at 17-17. Navarro then jumped into the lead, pushing it to 23-19 before the Mustangs called a timeout. It was not enough to get the Mustangs to turn it around, as they fell, 25-21, to fall behind, 2-1.
 
The fourth game started off neck-and-neck before a four-point run by Monroe put the Mustangs ahead, 11-7. The Bulldogs responded with four of their own to tie up the game. A 4-1 run shortly after had Monroe on top, 17-15. Navarro responded with another big run of its own, taking a 23-19 advantage late in the fourth frame. The Mustangs tried to battle back, but ultimately were unable to close the gap, falling 25-20.
 
Zassmine Birdwell had a big day, leading the team with 11 kills and a .625 hitting percentage. Masoomeh Angooti matched her 11 kills, adding 10 digs for a double-double. Giulia La Longa and Lillian Olson each threw down nine kills. Yarianne Gonzalez dished out a team-high 25 assists, while Alondra Garcia was close behind with 19. Melanie Orsini picked up a team-high 16 digs.
 
The Mustangs will now enter the consolation bracket of the NJCAA Championship Tournament. They will take on No. 9 New Mexico Military Institute on Friday, Nov. 22, at 1 p.m. EST. If the Mustangs win, they will play again on Friday at 5:30 p.m. EST in the consolation semifinals.
 
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).