NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., September 24, 2024 – On a night that the Monroe University Mustangs women's volleyball team honored a pair of graduating sophomores, the ensuing match resulted in a thriller for the live audience at the Monroe Athletic Complex Tuesday evening. Unfortunately, the Mustangs fell just short in a five-set match against unbeaten Harford Community College, halting Monroe's win streak at five matches. The Mustangs fall to 11-4 overall with the loss, while the Fighting Owls remain unblemished at 8-0.
The Mustangs got off to a hot start in Tuesday's match, trotting out to a 13-6 edge over the Fighting Owls in the opening set. The Mustangs never looked back from there, claiming a 25-15 win for a 1-0 lead on the night.
Monroe opened the second stanza with a 6-1 lead, but Harford bounced back with 5-of-6 to make it a one-point game. A 5-1 run for Monroe had the home team up by five, and the Mustangs later took 7-of-8 for a commanding 24-13 advantage, taking the game with another 25-15 win to go up two sets on Harford.
A tighter third set saw the Mustangs and Fighting Owls knotted up at 8-8, but Monroe later turned that into a 14-10 lead. Harford responded with a 6-1 run to go up, 16-15, but the Mustangs scored the next two to grab the lead once again. The teams traded points until Harford scored five straight to take a 24-19 advantage, eventually claiming a 25-20 win to keep the match going.
Another back-and-forth battled ensued in the fourth frame on Tuesday, as the two teams traded the lead numerous times. Later in the game, Monroe went on a 7-1 run that put the Mustangs ahead, 20-18. Harford then turned the momentum around by scoring five of the next six points for a 24-22 edge. Monroe tried to come back, but after a kill by
Natalia Rodriguez, Harford got a kill of its own to take a 25-23 win and force a deciding fifth set.
The Mustangs scored the first five points of the final frame, but it was not all smooth sailing, as the Fighting Owls followed with a 9-1 run to go up, 9-6. Harford reached match point at 14-10 before the Mustangs rattled off three straight points to get within one, but Harford's Laura Piva closed out the match with one final kill to give the Fighting Owls a 15-13 win and a 3-2 comeback victory.
Rodriguez threw down a season-high 16 kills in Tuesday's match, adding eight digs, two aces and a block.
Flavia Pecora also registered season highs with 13 kills and 20 digs to complete a double-double, adding a block, an ace and two assists.
Fabiana Lopez had a double-double of her own with 11 kills and 20 digs with a block and an ace.
Mileyshka Melendez also reached a double-double with 39 assists and 10 digs.
Jelena Peric totaled eight kills, 14 digs and five aces.
Madison Smith had six kills and a team-high three blocks.
Jennifer Santana added two aces, four digs and a kill.
The Mustangs will look to start a new winning stream this weekend with a three-match road trip. The trip begins on Friday, Sept. 27, when they visit Harrisburg Area Community College in Harrisburg, Pa. Friday's match is set to begin at 6 p.m.
ABOUT THE ATHLETIC PROGRAM AT MONROE UNIVERSITY
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).
