NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., October 31, 2021 – The Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team claimed their 10th straight Region Championship on Sunday, defeating Harford Community College in three sets at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs improve to 30-7 overall with the win and advance to the Gulf Atlantic District Championships in Alabama, while Harford drops to 16-5.
 
The Mustangs came out hot on Sunday, taking a quick 8-1 lead over the Fighting Owls to start the opening frame. They went up by nine with a 17-8 lead and continued to keep their distance from the Fighting Owls. Harford got as close as six points at 18-12, but the Mustangs ran away with it from there, scoring the final seven points for a 25-12 win and a 1-0 lead in the match.
 
Harford go the early jump on the Mustangs in the second set, scoring the first two points. The Mustangs responded by taking 8-of-9 to go up, 8-3. The Fighting Owls chipped away at the deficit, getting within three at 14-11. It was still close at 17-14 before the Mustangs picked up four straight to take a 21-14 advantage. The Mustangs reached set points at 24-16, but Harford kept the game going with three more points, but Monroe managed to close it out with a 25-19 win, going up 2-0 on the afternoon.
 
The third set was even to start, seeing a 4-4 stalemate early on. The Mustangs responded with six straight points to go up, 10-4.  A five-point run later in the game gave the Mustangs a commanding 19-7 lead. Monroe capped off the match with a 25-11 win to pick up a three-set victory and earn their spot in Alabama.
 
Yaliancis Flores led the way with 10 kills, adding a pair of blocks and three digs in the win. Valeria Trinidad was next with nine kills. Leanisse Solano picked up eight kills, eight aces and 10 digs in the match. Alisha Callender registered seven kills, seven assists, an ace, a block and five digs. Lyanis Rios led the team with 25 assists, adding an ace and seven digs. Laura Paniagua had a team-high 14 digs to go with four assists.
 
The Mustangs are now set to return to Alabama for the third time to compete in the Gulf Atlantic District Championships. More information on the tournament and schedule will be available early in the week.
 
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 39 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well as club men's and women's rugby, the Monroe College marching band, and the newly added esports and men's volleyball programs, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has 18 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 Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@Monroe_Mustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).