GARDEN CITY, N.Y., March 6, 2024 – In a first-time matchup out on Long Island Wednesday evening, the Monroe College Mustangs men's volleyball team defeated Nassau Community College in a Region 15 matchup in three sets. The Mustangs improve to 15-4 overall and 3-0 in region play, while Nassau drops to 2-9 and loses its first Region 15 match of the season.
The home team opened up the match on a 4-1 run, later holding a 10-6 edge before Monroe scored four straight to tie. The Lions took the lead back with three points, but Monroe rattled off the next five to go up, 15-13. The game remained close, with Nassau taking a 20-19 advantage late, but the Mustangs scored the next three to take over once again. The Lions got a point back, but then
Timothy Reyes and
Damian Baker combined for a block to keep the lead. Reyes then set up Baker for a kill to reach set point. After Nassau got one more point, a block by Baker and
Ethan Grace gave Monroe a 25-22 win.
Nassau once again jumped out to an early lead, going up, 6-2, early in the second set. The Mustangs then completely took over, scoring nine straight and 12-of-13 for a 14-7 edge. The teams then traded points, reaching a 20-13 score before the Mustangs scored the final five of game, including three straight aces by Baker, to claim a 25-13 victory and a 2-0 lead in the match.
The Mustangs finally jumped out to a quick lead in the third frame, going up on the Lions, 8-3. The Mustangs later held a 16-9 lead before the Lions scored 6-of-7 to make it a two-point set. Monroe was up by four late in the game, but the Lions managed to reach a 22-22 stalemate. The Mustangs then stepped up for the final three points with a pair of kills by
Arnau Riu Giralt and one last block by Baker and
Vene Gase to close out the sweep with a 25-22 score.
Baker had a terrific night for the Mustangs with six kills, five total blocks, nine service aces and three digs. Riu Giralt led the team with seven kills. Reyes registered 23 assists, four kills, four digs, a block and an ace.
Devounte Bennett provided four kills, a block and an ace. Grace also had four kills with an ace and a block.
Briggs Wieboldt matched Reyes' team-high of four digs, adding three kills, an ace and a block.
The Mustangs get right back to work tomorrow evening with a rare "away" match on their home court at the Monroe Athletic Complex. They will be hosted by Monroe College-Bronx on Thursday, March 7, in what is scheduled to be a home match for the Express. Thursday'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 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).
