BEL AIR, Md.., September 4, 2021 – Taking on their yearly region-championship foe, Harford Community College, the Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team picked up a four-set victory over the Fighting Owls Saturday afternoon at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena. The Mustangs improve to 8-3 on the season with the win, while Harford drops to 3-2.
 
The opening frame was close before an eight-point run by the Mustangs, which included four aces by Alisha Callender, put Monroe up, 14-4. The teams traded points from that point on, leading to a 25-11 win for Monroe to start the match.
 
The Fighting Owls turned things around and jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the second game. The Mustangs fought back to eventually tie it up at 16-16, but a pair of three-point runs had the home team up, 23-19. Monroe got within one at 23-22, and again at 24-23, but Harford was able to close it out to grab a 25-23 win and tie the match at one set apiece.
 
Harford took another early lead in the third set, but the Mustangs completely turned the tables with 12 straight points to go up, 16-6. The momentum never stopped, as the visitors rolled to a 25-9 win to take a 2-1 lead on the afternoon.
 
The fourth frame was very closely contested, as the teams traded points and leads back-and-forth. The Mustangs then scored six straight points to take a 21-14 advantage late in the game. Monroe eventually closed it out with a 25-17 win to claim a 3-1 victory on the day.
 
Callender was impressive again, leading Monroe with 11 kills, 17 assists and five aces, while also picking up seven digs. Alondra Ramos and Leanisse Solano each threw down 10 kills, while Solano also registered 13 digs for a double-double. Yaliancis Flores had nine kills and a team-high 18 digs. Laura Paniagua added 16 digs. Lyanis Rios dished out 15 assists.
 
The Mustangs will compete next on Tuesday, Sept. 7, when they visit Kean University for a match in Union, N.J.
 
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).