Springfield, Mass - Monroe fell to undefeated American International in straight sets Thursday night, dropping a 25-11, 25-11, 25-21 decision. The loss moved Monroe to 4-3 on the season, while American International improved to 13-0.
Monroe came out quickly in the opening set, scoring the first three points behind back-to-back kills from Thais Chantal Cocly Vasquez and an AIC attack error. After American International pulled even at 4-4, the hosts began to take control, using a 6-1 stretch to move ahead 10-5. Monroe stayed within striking distance at 11-8 before American International closed the set on a 14-3 run to take the opener 25-11.
The second set remained tight early, with Monroe taking a 4-3 advantage following a kill from Cocly Vasquez. American International responded with six consecutive points to build a 9-4 lead and later extended the margin to 13-5. Monroe attempted to work its way back behind kills from Adriana Garcia, Liliana Barbierikova and Alisha Pereira Rodriguez-Wells, but American International maintained control and finished the set 25-11 to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
Monroe put together its strongest showing in the third. The set featured nine ties and four lead changes, with Monroe grabbing a 5-3 advantage after consecutive service aces from Odalis Cox. The two sides continued trading points through a 13-13 tie before American International created separation with a 6-1 run to move ahead 19-14.
Monroe continued to fight late. A Barbierikova kill cut the deficit to 22-18 before an Emma Dedushaj service ace made it 23-20. Monroe pulled within three once again at 24-21, but American International recorded the final point to secure the 25-21 set and complete the sweep.
Cocly Vasquez led Monroe offensively with six kills and added five block assists, finishing with a team-high 8.5 points. Barbierikova was efficient in the middle, recording four kills without an error on eight attacks for a .500 hitting percentage while adding three block assists. Kristhaly Torres contributed two kills, three block assists and a service ace.
Mileyshka Melendez directed the offense with a team-high 11 assists and nine digs, while Cox added four assists, two aces and two digs. Dedushaj finished with five digs and an ace, and Annie Callen added six digs.
American International finished the match with 42 kills while hitting .306, including a .452 performance in the opening set and a .310 mark in the second. Monroe recorded 19 kills and 38 digs while totaling eight team blocks and four service aces.
