PALATKA, Fla., August 24, 2024 – A weekend of ups and downs finished on a positive note for the Monroe College Mustangs women's volleyball team. Though they suffered a pair of defeats in tough battles with Palm Beach State College and No. 16 Cape Fear Community College on Friday, the Mustangs bounced back on Saturday to pick up victories over USC Lancaster and host St. Johns River State College to leave opening weekend with a 3-2 record at the St. Johns River Viking Invitational.
Friday Match 1: Palm Beach State 3, Monroe 1 (25-23, 25-22, 19-25, 25-12)
The Mustangs hung tight with a tough Palm Beach State team in Friday's opener, but ultimately fell short in a four-set defeat. The Mustangs were led by
Natalia Rodriguez's 10 kills, adding three blocks, six digs and two aces.
Madison Smith as close behind with eight kills to go with four total blocks.
Mileyshka Melendez handed out a team-high 27 assists and led the team with 21 digs for her first career double-double.
Jelena Peric contributed five kills, three aces and 15 digs in the match.
Friday Match 2: #16 Cape Fear 3, Monroe 2 (25-19, 24-26, 25-20, 21-25, 16-14)
The Mustangs then took No. 16 Cape Fear to the limit in their Friday finale. The Mustangs and Sea Devils went down to the final point of the deciding fifth set, but Cape Fear ultimately squeaked out the victory.
Monroe compiled several impressive stat lines in Friday's five-set thriller. Rodriguez led again with 14 kills to go with 11 digs, while
Fabiana Lopez totaled 12 kills and 15 digs for a pair of double-doubles. Smith matched Lopez's 12 kills. Melendez produced her second straight double-double on the back of 43 assists and 24 digs to go with her pair of aces. Peric picked up 16 digs with five kills and two aces.
Flavia Pecora tallied six kills, 13 digs, two blocks and three assists. Krithaly Torres scooped up 12 digs of her own.
Saturday Match 1: Monroe 3, USC Lancaster 0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-20)
The Mustangs bounced back to win twice on Saturday, beginning with a three-set sweep of Division I USC Lancaster. The efficient Mustangs were led by Rodriguez and Peric's nine kills apiece. Rodriguez added three aces and seven digs, while Peric totaled two aces and eight digs. Smith and Pecora each registered seven kills, with Pecora also picking up two assists, two aces, two blocks and two digs. Melendez dished out another 28 assists with six digs. Torres picked up seven digs to go with two service aces.
Saturday Match 2: Monroe 3, St. Johns River 2 (25-13, 25-23, 11-25, 21-25, 15-8)
Monroe wrapped up the weekend against the host Vikings on Saturday. The Vikings came into the match undefeated, but that was no matter to the Mustangs, who held on to take down their hosts in another thrilling five-set match.
Rodriguez threw down 16 kills in the win while picking up five digs. Pecora was next with 12 kills and a block, while Peric totaled 10 kills, five aces and eight digs. Melendez matched her weekend high with 43 assists, adding four aces and eight digs. Torres matched Lopez with a team-high 10 digs to go with two more aces.
With their first tournament of the season now in the rear view, the Mustangs will play their next regular season matches as part of the Monroe College Volleyball Invitational at the Monroe Athletic Complex. The Mustangs will host NJCAA Div. III No. 15 Raritan Valley Community College, Montgomery College and Fayetteville Technical Community College in the seven-match tournament from Friday, Aug. 30, through Saturday, Aug. 31.
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).
