NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., February 1, 2024 – Year 2 of the Monroe College Mustangs men's volleyball program got off to a great start on Thursday, as the Mustangs picked up a three-set victory over Passaic County Community College to close out Day 1 of the Monroe College Men's Volleyball Invitational at the Monroe Athletic Complex.
Monroe lost its first point of the new season, but followed that up with six straight points to jump ahead of the Panthers. While Passaic managed to get back within three, the Mustangs did not let the opening set stay close, scoring another five straight to take a 14-6 advantage. An eight-point run later in the game put the first set out of reach at 22-7, seeing the Mustangs close it out with a 25-9 win to take a 1-0 lead in the match.
It was much the same in the second stanza, as Monroe rolled to a 16-4 edge over the Panthers early in the set. With the Panthers back within nine points late in the frame, Monroe scored the final four points it needed to close out the second with a 25-12 win.
The Mustangs got off to a sluggish start in the third set, but eight straight points gave them a big lead. A 9-2 stretch made it a 10-point lead for Monroe at 21-11 with the Mustangs' sights set on a quick sweep. With a 23-13 lead, the Mustangs had a tough time closing out the Panthers, who scored 5-of-6 to get within six points, but a kill by
Aamar Hanif wrapped things up for a 25-18 victory.
Arnau Riu Giralt got his sophomore season off to a strong start by leading the team with nine kills and six service aces, adding six digs as well.
Damian Baker and
Briggs Wieboldt each had four kills apices, with Baker also registering four blocks and three aces.
Timothy Reyes dished out 21 assists in the win.
Eduardo Somensi served up four aces.
Arthur Rosa picked up seven digs to lead the team.
Day 2 of the Monroe College Men's Volleyball Invitational will see six matches played at the MAC on Friday. With the day beginning at 9 a.m., the Mustangs will play their lone match for the day against the College of DuPage at 3 p.m.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe College encompasses a total of 35 teams competing across nine sports. There are 21 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well 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 11 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).
