CANANDAIGUA, N.Y., February 25, 2024 – The Monroe College Mustangs men's volleyball team finished up a four-match weekend at the Finger Lakes Community College Tournament with a 3-1 record after splitting its two matches on Day 2 on Sunday. Monroe dropped a three-set match to host Finger Lakes to open the day, but bounced back to defeat Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Club in four sets. Monroe moves to 12-3 overall after the split.
MATCH 1: Finger Lakes 3, Monroe 0 (25-23, 26-24, 25-18)
Finger Lakes took an early lead in the opening set, and then both teams played mostly evenly until late in the frame. The Lakers scored three straight points to make it a 22-17 lead for the home team. They later reached set point at 24-20, but the Mustangs kept battling, scoring three straight to nearly extend the game. After a second timeout by the Lakers, a service error by the Mustangs gave the Lakers their 25th point to pick up a 25-23 win and go up, 1-0.
Monroe turned things around early in the second stanza, jumping out to an 8-4 lead. Finger Lakes then scored 4-of-5, getting back within a point at 9-8. The Mustangs continued to stave off the Lakers, eventually taking a 20-16 advantage late in the game. Monroe had set point at 24-21, but the Lakers responded by scoring the next five points for a comeback 26-24 victory, taking a two-set lead on Monroe.
The Mustangs fell into an early hole in the third frame and were unable to work their way back. The Lakers took a quick 7-2 advantage, later stretching it to a 12-4 lead. Finger Lakes was up, 18-9, before Monroe finally made a push, scoring five straight to get back within four. The Lakers then responded with four straight points to go back up by eight. The Mustangs were able to get back within six, but it was not enough, as one final point made it a 25-18 win for the Lakers to wrap up the match.
Arnau Riu Giralt led the Mustangs with six kills in Sunday's opener, serving up three aces as well.
Briggs Wieboldt followed with five kills and three digs.
Timothy Reyes had 21 assists with three digs in the match.
Ethan Grace totaled three kills, three blocks, three digs and two aces.
Devounte Bennett added three kills, three blocks and an ace.
Eduardo Somensi led the team with six digs.
MATCH 2: Monroe 3, Rochester Institute of Technology 1 (25-22, 24-26, 25-21, 25-19)
Monroe held a narrow 9-6 edge early in the first set against RIT. The Tigers managed to jump ahead, 14-13, later holding onto a 19-17 lead on the Mustangs. Monroe then scored four straight to jump ahead. RIT tied up the set at 22-22, but the Mustangs picked up the last three points to claim a 25-22 win and go up a set in the match.
Monroe used the momentum from the opening set to take a 6-0 lead on the Tigers in the second stanza. The Tigers did not let it get away, scoring the next four to get within two. Monroe later had a 10-5 lead, but it was cut down to a point after a 5-1 run by the Tigers. Three errors by the Mustangs helped RIT go on a four-point run to go up, 18-15. The Mustangs were later back within a point at 23-22, but RIT scored the next point to reach set point. Monroe picked up two straight to tie the game at 24-24, but the Tigers managed to score the final two points for a 26-24 win to tie the match.
Monroe managed to jump ahead in the third game, 10-5. Monroe later had a 17-12 edge, but RIT scored the next three to get back within two, and later tied the game at 20-20. The Mustangs then rallied to score four straight and reach set point, eventually closing it out with a 25-21 win to go up, 2-1.
The Mustangs opened the fourth frame on a 5-0 run, but the Tigers responded with eight straight points, ultimately going on an 11-1 run to go up, 11-6. Monroe rallied back to tie the game at 14-14, later using a five-point stretch to take a 20-16 advantage. The Mustangs continued to roll, scored three of the final four points to walk away with a 25-19 win and a 3-1 victory in the match.
Riu Giralt and Wieboldt matched with a team-high nine kills in the win, with Riu Giralt leading the team with 10 digs while serving up three aces. Wieboldt was right behind with nine digs of his own.
Damian Baker threw down seven kills with a team-best four aces, as well as two blocks. Reyes also had four aces, adding 30 assists, five kills and six digs.
Joriel Delgado led the Mustangs with three blocks in the win.
Gabriel Stokes added five kills and two blocks.
The Mustangs are back at home to kick off a busy week at the Monroe Athletic Complex this Wednesday, Feb. 28, to host Union College (N.J.). Wednesday's match is set to begin at 7 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 (
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