NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., August 21, 2021 – The No. 20-ranked Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team had a flawless opening weekend in the Monroe College August Invitational at the Monroe Athletic Complex. After going 4-0 on Friday, the Mustangs rolled to another pair of three-set victories over Delaware Technical Community College and Raritan Valley Community College on Saturday to improve to 6-0 on the young season.
 
MATCH 1: Monroe 3, Delaware Tech 0 (25-12, 25-8, 25-8)
After getting some rest following a four-match day on Friday, the Mustangs came out with fire once again on Saturday in their opening match against Delaware Technical Community College. The Mustangs hit an impressive .423 across the match, while holding their opponents to a -.063 clip, making five straight matches of a negative hitting percentage for the Mustangs' opposition.
 
As they did on Friday, the Mustangs spread the wealth in Saturday's first victory. Yaliancis Flores led the team with seven kills, while Tereza Strnadlova added six of her own. Kiara Figueroa hit a perfect 1.000 with five kills, while Alondra Ramos and Leanisse Solano contributed five kills apiece as well.
 
Alisha Callender dished out a team-high 15 assists. Lyanis Rios was close behind with 13 helpers. Laura Paniagua picked up a team-best 20 digs.
 
MATCH 2: Monroe 3, Raritan Valley 0 (25-9, 25-4, 25-18)
The Mustangs completed a perfect weekend with their final match against Raritan Valley Community College on Saturday, winning another three-set match to take all 18 sets for the weekend. Monroe hit .321 in the final match against the Lions, while holding their opponents to a -.113 hitting percentage to finish the weekend without allowing a single positive hitting percentage for their opponents.
 
Flores wrapped up the weekend with 10 kills to lead the Mustangs in Saturday's finale, hitting .714 in the match. Daina Monroe added seven kills of her own. Ramos, Solano, Aaliyah Saunders and Strnadlova each added four kills.
 
Rios posted a weekend-high of 23 assists in the win, adding four aces as well. Paniagua picked up 15 digs and served up five aces of her own.
 
After an unblemished weekend, the Mustangs are now set for an early-season challenge, as they head down to Florida for the Florida SouthWestern Battle at the Beach Tournament, hosted by Florida SouthWestern State College in Fort Myers, Fla. They will play four matches across two days on Friday, Aug. 27 and Saturday, Aug. 28.
 
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).