BEL AIR, Md., October 3, 2023 – After a 10-day break, the Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team got back to business Tuesday evening at the APG Federal Credit Union Arena, defeating host Harford Community College in three sets to earn its fourth straight victory. The Mustangs improve to 11-8 overall with the win, while the Fighting Owls fall to 16-3.
The Mustangs came out on fire in Tuesday's opening set, scoring nine straight points after the Fighting Owls took the first one. Shortly after, Monroe's 9-3 lead quickly became a 19-3 advantage with a 10-0 run. The Fighting Owls made a late push, but it was nowhere near enough, as the Mustangs claimed a 25-9 win to go up, 1-0, in the match.
The second set looked nothing like the first. The Mustangs fell behind early, 7-4, before scoring eight straight to take a 12-7 lead. Monroe was unable to pull away, seeing Harford eventually jump ahead, 20-18. The Mustangs rebounded from there, scoring the next seven points, including four kills by
Darlenys Olivo, to steal a 25-20 win and go up two sets.
The beginning of the third frame looked much like the second until the Mustangs used an 8-2 run to turn a 4-4 stalemate into a 12-6 edge. The Fighting Owls got back within four at 15-11, but the Mustangs scored the next four, which turned into a 9-1 run to force match point at 24-12. The Fighting Owls stayed alive with one more point, but the Mustangs wrapped things up with a 25-13 win to sweep the match.
The Mustangs hit .444 in Tuesday's win, holding their hosts to a .000 hitting percentage. Olivo led the way with 15 kills while hitting at a .667 clip in the win, adding two digs and a block.
Manon Braunsteffer totaled 10 kills at a .615 clip while registering two blocks.
Gabriela Aimi Zuquelo was next with six kills, seven digs and two blocks.
Martina Villani led the team with 18 assists and picked up four digs.
Alessia Gallo led the team with 15 digs.
Morelia Diaz served up three aces to lead the team.
The Mustangs are back on the road this Saturday, Oct. 7, for a tri-match at Raritan Valley Community College in Branchburg, N.J. The Mustangs will take on host Raritan Valley at 11 a.m., followed by a match with Harrisburg Area Community College at 1 p.m.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 28 teams competing across nine sports. There are 20 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well the Monroe College marching band, competing on the New Rochelle campus as the Mustangs (NJCAA Division I). The Monroe Express, based out of the Bronx campus, has seven 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).
