CALDWELL, N.J. — The Monroe University women's volleyball team continued its powerful play on Tuesday evening, earning a convincing 3-0 sweep (25-10, 25-20, 25-20) over Caldwell University.
With the victory, the Mustangs improved to 10-7 on the season, while the Cougars fell to 3-16.
Monroe controlled the match offensively, recording 42 kills and nine service aces while holding Caldwell to just 18 kills and a .012 hitting percentage. Fabiana Lopez led the Mustangs with nine kills, while Alisha Pereira Rodriguez-Wells added eight and Alanis Charlotte Matias Cepeda finished with seven.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Mustangs wasted little time establishing control in the opening set, jumping out to a 10-3 advantage behind a balanced offensive attack. Monroe continued to build its lead, using a 6-0 run to extend the margin to 18-7 before cruising to a 25-10 victory.
Monroe recorded 12 kills while hitting .320 in the opening frame, holding Caldwell to a -.179 hitting percentage.
The second set proved more competitive early, with the two teams exchanging points before Monroe used a 6-0 run to turn a 6-6 tie into a 12-7 advantage. The Mustangs continued to extend their lead, eventually going ahead 19-10.
Caldwell attempted a late comeback, trimming the deficit to 19-15 before Monroe regained control. Lopez delivered the last kill of the set to secure a 25-20 victory and give the Mustangs a 2-0 match advantage.
The Cougars challenged Monroe again in the third set, taking an early 7-6 lead before the Mustangs battled back. With the score tied at 14-14, Monroe put together a decisive 8-0 run behind the serving of Odalis Cox to take a commanding 22-14 advantage.
Cox recorded three service aces during the run, while Milani Isatu Washington contributed two kills to help put the match out of reach.
Caldwell cut into the deficit late, but Lopez delivered the match-winning kill to complete the straight-set sweep with a 25-20 third-set victory.
MUSTANG STANDOUTS
Lopez paced Monroe offensively with a match-high nine kills on 17 attempts, finishing with a .294 hitting percentage.
Rodriguez-Wells contributed eight kills, two service aces and five digs, while Cepeda delivered an efficient performance with seven kills on 10 attempts without committing an attack error, finishing with a team-best .700 hitting percentage.
Washington added seven kills and four digs, while Thais Chantal Cocly Vasquez recorded six kills and three-block assists.
Cox played a major role in the victory, leading the Mustangs with 18 assists and a match-high five service aces while adding six digs. Mileyshka Melendez chipped in 12 assists and three digs.
Defensively, Sofia Vazquez matched Cox with a team-high six digs, while Kristhaly Torres contributed four kills, three-block assists and a service ace.
STATS & NOTES
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Monroe improved to 10-7 overall with its 10th victory of the 2026 season.
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The Mustangs recorded 42 kills compared to Caldwell's 18.
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Monroe finished with a .218 team hitting percentage while limiting the Cougars to .012.
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Cox's five service aces accounted for five of Monroe's nine aces.
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Cepeda's .700 hitting percentage led all Monroe players with at least 10 attempts.
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The Mustangs totaled 39 assists, 44 digs, and four team blocks.
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Monroe held Caldwell to just four kills in the opening set.
UP NEXT
The Mustangs return to action on Saturday, October 17, when they travel to face Holy Family University. Game-time is set for 11:00 a.m.
