NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The Monroe University women's volleyball team rallied from a two-set deficit to force a decisive fifth set Saturday afternoon, but Jefferson University held on for a 3-2 victory over the Mustangs at the Monroe Athletic Complex.
The Mustangs dropped the opening two sets, 25-16 and 25-17, before responding with a pair of convincing victories, 25-20 and 25-17, to force a fifth set. Jefferson ultimately claimed the deciding frame, 15-11, to take the five-set match.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Jefferson controlled the opening two sets, taking the first 25-16 before earning a 25-17 victory in the second.
Facing a two-set deficit, Monroe came out strongly in the third set. The Mustangs hit .250 in the frame and limited Jefferson to a .111 hitting percentage, earning a 25-20 victory to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Monroe carried that momentum into the fourth set, putting together its strongest offensive performance of the match.
The Mustangs recorded 16 kills on 33 attacks while hitting .364, their highest attack percentage of any set. Monroe pulled away late to secure a 25-17 victory and force a decisive fifth set.
The fifth set remained competitive, but Jefferson scored 15 points to Monroe's 11 to close out the match.
Despite the loss, Monroe finished with 49 kills to Jefferson's 45 and held advantages in both blocks, 12-4, and digs, 69-68. Jefferson's 14 service aces proved to be a difference-maker in the five-set contest.
INDIVIDUAL HIGHLIGHTS
Thais Chantal Cocly Vasquez led the Mustangs with a match-high 18 kills, hitting .324 on 37 attacks. She also added four blocks for a team-high 20 points.
Alisha Pereira Rodriguez-Wells contributed nine kills, while Adriana Garcia added eight kills and 10 digs.
Defensively, Emma Dedushaj paced the Mustangs with a match-high 21 digs, while Sofia Vazquez and Garcia each recorded 10 digs.
At the net, Cocly Vasquez and Alondra J. Illdefonso Diaz each recorded four blocks, while Kristhaly Torres added three.
Odalis Cox and Mileyshka Melendez shared the setting duties, recording 19 and 17 assists, respectively.
STATS & NOTES
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Monroe falls to 8-6 on the season.
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Jefferson improves to 13-5.
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The Mustangs rallied from a 2-0 deficit to force a fifth set.
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Monroe won the third set, 25-20, and fourth set, 25-17.
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Jefferson won the deciding fifth set, 15-11.
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Monroe finished with a 49-45 advantage in kills.
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The Mustangs held a 12-4 advantage in total blocks.
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Monroe recorded 69 digs compared to 68 for Jefferson.
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Jefferson finished with a 14-4 edge in service aces.
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Thais Chantal Cocly Vasquez led Monroe with 18 kills and hit .324.
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Cocly Vasquez added four blocks and 20 total points.
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Emma Dedushaj recorded a team-high 21 digs.
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Odalis Cox recorded 19 assists and six digs.
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Mileyshka Melendez added 17 assists, seven digs and one ace.
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Alisha Pereira Rodriguez-Wells finished with nine kills.
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Adriana Garcia recorded eight kills and 10 digs.
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Alondra J. Illdefonso Diaz recorded four kills and four blocks.
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Monroe hit .204 as a team across the five sets.
UP NEXT
Monroe returns to action on Wednesday, October 7 when they travel to face Post. Game-time is set for 6:00 p.m.
