FORT MYERS, Fla., August 27, 2021 – The No. 20-ranked Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team had a challenging first day at the Florida SouthWestern State Battle at the Beach Tournament on Friday, dropping both of their matches on the day. The Mustangs fell to host and No. 7-ranked Florida SouthWestern State College in four sets before a competitive five-set defeat to Polk State College to close out the day. The Mustangs fall to 6-2 on the early season with the losses.
 
MATCH 1: #7 Florida SouthWestern State 3, #20 Monroe 1 (26-28, 25-20, 25-8, 25-16)
The Mustangs made some noise in the opening set, picking up a hard-fought 28-26 win over the host and highly ranked Buccaneers. However, the home team, playing in its first match of the season, found its rhythm in the second set and never looked back, winning the next three games to claim the match.
 
The Mustangs were led offensively by Leanisse Solano's 15 kills, while Yalianis Flores added 12 of her own in the match. Lyanis Rios handed out 15 assists, while Alisha Callender was right behind her with 14. Callender completed a double-double with 18 digs, while Solano did as well with 11 digs in the match. Laura Paniagua had 12 digs and seven assists in the Mustangs' opener. Valeria Trinidad led the Mustangs with three blocks, while Flores, Daina Monroe and Callender each had a pair of blocks.
 
MATCH 2: Polk State 3, #20 Monroe 2 (21-25, 25-17, 18-25, 25-16, 15-10)
Monroe's second match of the day went back-and-forth, with the teams trading sets for the first four frames. Polk State picked up a win in the fourth game to force the deciding fifth set, and used that momentum to gain a 15-10 win and take the match.
 
Flores had a huge match for the Mustangs, throwing down a season-high 28 kills to go with 17 digs. Solano had some big numbers as well with 16 kills and 13 digs. Callender joined the double-double club with 22 assists and 22 digs. Rios had a team-high 31 assists and 12 digs of her own. Monroe's fifth double-double of the match came from Paniagua, who picked up a season-best 31 digs to go with 12 assists. Callender and Trinidad matched for a team-high four blocks.
 
The Mustangs have another challenging day ahead of them on Saturday, Aug. 28, when they wrap up the tournament with two more matches against Florida teams. They will open the day  at 10 a.m. against Daytona State College, and close out their weekend at 12:30 p.m. against Indian River State College.
 
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).