FAYETTEVILLE, N.C., September 15, 2024 – After a tough loss to nationally ranked Richard Bland College on Friday to open the weekend in North Carolina, the Monroe University Mustangs women's volleyball team rebounded with a pair of three-set victories over Bryant & Stratton College (Va.) and host Fayetteville Technical Community College. The Mustangs improve to 8-3 overall with the two wins on Saturday.
MATCH #1: Monroe 3, Bryant & Stratton 0 (25-13, 25-21, 25-17)
The Mustangs rolled to a win against the Bobcats to open the day on Saturday. They got things going with a dominant 25-13 win in the opening set before a tighter 25-21 win for a 2-0 lead. They then had full control in the final frame with a 25-17 victory for the sweep.
Jelena Peric led Monroe with nine kills in the win, adding four digs, a block and an ace.
Madison Smith was right behind her with eight kills to go with two blocks and two digs.
Flavia Pecora totaled seven kills with nine digs, a block and an ace.
Mileyshka Melendez led Monroe with 19 assists to go with four digs and an ace.
Fabiana Lopez scooped up a team-high 11 digs with three kills.
Kristhaly Torres picked up seven digs and matched
Natalia Rodriguez with two aces.
MATCH #2: Monroe 3, Fayetteville Tech 0 (25-14, 25-15, 26-24)
Monroe then wrapped up the weekend with a victory over the host Trojans. After a pair of convincing wins by scores of 25-14 and 25-15 that gave the Mustangs a 2-0 lead, the final set went down to the wire, with the Mustangs just edging out the Trojans, 26-24.
Smith and Peric matched with nine kills apiece in the team's second win of the day, with Smith adding a team-high three blocks while Peric registered one of her own. Pecora was right behind them with eight kills, hitting .583 in the process. She also picked up seven digs and served up two aces. Rodriguez totaled six kills with team-highs of three aces and eight digs. Melendez handed out 31 assists in the win, adding six digs and three kills. Lopez contributed five kills and four digs.
The Mustangs are back at home on Thursday, Sept. 19, when they host Queensborough Community College at the Monroe Athletic Complex. Thursday's match is set to begin at 6 p.m.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE COLLEGE
The athletic program at Monroe University encompasses a total of 28 teams competing across nine sports. There are 20 varsity and junior varsity programs, as well the Monroe University 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.MonroeUMustangs.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Monroe Mustangs Athletics), Twitter (@MonroeMustangs) and Instagram (@monroemustangs).
