NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., March 1, 2024 – Taking on St. Thomas Aquinas College from NCAA Division II for the first time Friday evening, the Monroe College Mustangs men's volleyball team fell in four sets at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs fall to 13-4 overall with the loss, while the Spartans improve to 4-10.
The Spartans had the early edge on the Mustangs in the opening set, using a four-point run to take a 12-6 lead. Another five straight had the visitors on top, 17-9. Monroe was unable to turn it around, dropping a 25-17 opening set to fall behind, 1-0.
The Mustangs fell into another early hole in the second stanza, needing to use a timeout after STAC took a 9-3 lead. The Mustangs responded with four straight points to get back within two, but the Spartans continued to hold them off, later taking a 19-14 advantage. The Mustangs made their way back into the game with a 5-1 run, making it a one-point difference at 20-19. A kill by STAC's Kyran Versteegen kept the visitors on top, but back-to-back kills by
Damian Baker and
Ethan Grace tied the set up at 21-21. The Spartans then broke a 22-22 tie with three straight points, claiming a 25-22 win to go up two sets on the night.
Monroe jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the third set, but the Spartans quickly drew even. The game remained tight before the Spartans scored 5-of-6 late in the set to take a 22-17 advantage. The Mustangs then made a push, scoring 7-of-8 to take a 24-23 lead. A service error tied the score, but another error on STAC's serve gave the Mustangs set point. The Mustangs forced the Spartans to make another error, picking up a 26-24 win to send the match to a fourth set.
A six-point run by the Spartans early in the fourth frame had them up, 11-5. The Mustangs struggled to get back into the game, falling behind, 18-10, later in the set. The Mustangs made a run at it, scoring 5-of-6 to get within four at 19-15, but the Spartans were able to recover to close out the evening with a 25-19 win.
Monroe was led by
Arnau Riu Giralt's 11 kills Friday evening. He also picked up six digs.
Briggs Wieboldt followed with nine kills and five digs, while
Devounte Bennett matched his nine kills.
Ethan Grace and
Damian Baker each threw down six kills.
Timothy Reyes totaled 34 assists, five digs, two blocks, two kills and an ace.
Arthur Rosa picked up a team-high 10 digs, while Grace was next with seven.
The Mustangs get right back to work on Saturday, March 2, when they host Kingsborough Community College in Region 15 action at the MAC. Tomorrow's match is set to begin at 7 p.m. following a matchup between Kingsborough and the Monroe Express.
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 (
@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (
@monroemustangs).
