NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., August 20, 2021 – Playing for the first time in nearly two years, unforeseen circumstances forced the No. 20-ranked Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team to play four matches on the first day of the Monroe College August Invitational on Friday at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs were up to the challenge, winning all 12 sets across their four matches to start the season 4-0.
 
MATCH 1: Monroe 3, Jefferson 0 (25-7, 25-9, 25-9)
The Mustangs rolled to victory in their first match of the season against Jefferson Community College on Friday. Monroe hit an outstanding .464 clip in the match, while holding the Cannoneers to a hitting percentage of -.048.
 
Yalianis Flores had a big debut for the Mustangs, leading the team with 10 kills in the early match. Alisha Callender was very productive for Monroe, serving up 11 aces and dishing out a team-high 20 assists. Valeria Trinidad Vizcarrondo picked up six kills, while each of Aaliyah Saunders, Leanisse Solano and Masoomeh Angooti each threw down five kills. Saunders also had three blocks in the win. Paniagua led the way with 19 digs in the win.
 
MATCH 2: Monroe 3, Jefferson 0 (25-11, 25-13, 25-6)
It was a near repeat performance for the Mustangs in their second matchup with the Cannoneers on Friday. The Mustangs improved upon their first match, hitting .479 in the next one, while Jefferson was held to a hitting percentage of -.015.
 
The Mustangs spread the wealth offensively in their second match. Solano and Flores matched with a team-high six kills, while Alondra Ramos, Angooti and Daina Monroe each threw down five kills. Callender handed out 18 assists, while Lyanis Rios added 14 of her own. Callender also picked up another eight service aces. Paniagua led the Mustangs with 14 digs, while Callender scooped up 10.
 
MATCH 3: Monroe 3, Raritan Valley 0 (25-14, 25-11, 25-10)
While things slowed down a bit offensively for the Mustangs against the Lions in their third match of the day, the defense got even better. Monroe hit .244 in the match, while holding Raritan Valley Community College to a -.118 clip in the Mustangs' third victory of the day.
 
Angooti took the lead in Match #3, scoring nine kills in the win. Daina Monroe added five of her own with a three blocks. Saunders led the team with four blocks and added three kills. Rios led the Mustangs with 14 assists, while Callender picked up 11 of them. Callender once again served up eight aces in the win. Valeria Negron led Monroe with 17 digs.
 
MATCH 4: Monroe 3, Delaware Tech 0 (25-11, 25-5, 25-19)
The Mustangs wrapped up an unblemished day in their fourth match of the tournament, defeating Delaware Technical Community College in straight sets. They hit .394 in this one, while holding Delaware Tech to a -.188 clip.
 
Solano had another six kills to lead the Mustangs in their final match of the day. Flores added five more, while each of Saunders and Ramos picked up four. Callender finished off a stellar first day with 18 assists and another seven aces. Paniagua picked up 21 digs in the win. Valeria Trinidad and Daina Monroe each had a pair of blocks.
 
After playing four matches on Friday, the Mustangs have two more on the slate for Day 2 of the Monroe College August Invitational on Saturday, Aug. 21. The Mustangs will take on Delaware Tech at 11 a.m., followed by a match against Raritan Valley at 1 p.m. Raritan Valley will play Jefferson to start the day at 9 a.m., while Jefferson vs. Delaware Tech will conclude the weekend at 3 p.m.
 
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).