FORT MYERS, Fla., August 26, 2023 – The No. 14-ranked Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team knew the final day of their first trip to Florida this season would be a challenge, as they took on two of the state's top teams as part of the last day of the Adventures in Paradise Battle at the Beach, hosted by Florida Southwestern State College. They opened Saturday with an early morning matchup against defending NJCAA Champion and No. 1-ranked Florida Southwestern, falling in three to the Buccaneers. They then challenged perennially strong Daytona State College, dropping three close sets to the Falcons. The Mustangs head back to New Rochelle with a 5-4 overall record.
MATCH 1: #1 Florida Southwestern 3, #14 Monroe 0 (25-15, 25-16, 25-13)
Facing off with the defending NJCAA Champions on their home court, the Mustangs had a rough go in Saturday's early matchup with the unbeaten Buccaneers.
Darlenys Olivo led the Mustangs with nine kills in the match, while
Manon Braunsteffer totaled seven to go along with two blocks and an ace.
Martina Villani handed out 13 assists, while
Francesca Andreon added 10.
Alessia Gallo led the team with 14 digs in the match.
MATCH 2: Daytona State 3, #14 Monroe 0 (25-20, 25-18, 25-21)
The Mustangs' week in Florida did not finish as they had hoped with a tough final match against Daytona State. Olivo closed out a strong week with 16 more kills and nine digs to lead the Mustangs in both categories in the match.
Kiara Figueroa got the start and contributed seven kills. Villani registered another 29 assists with a block and three digs. Gallo had four digs and two aces.
The Mustangs will return to Florida in a couple weeks, but they will first place a tri-match at home on Saturday, Sept. 2, when they host Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Harford Community College at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The day begins with Monroe taking on FIT at 12 p.m., followed by FIT vs. Harford at 2 p.m. The Mustangs and Fighting Owls will go head-to-head to close out the day at 4 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).
