#4-Seed Monroe - Bronx Defeats #5-Seed Kingsborough to Earn Berth in Region 15 Men's Volleyball Semifinals

Courtesy of Monroe University - Bronx Sports Information

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - The fourth-seeded Monroe University - Bronx men's volleyball team secured a historic 3-0 victory over fifth-seeded Kingsborough Community in the Region 15 Play-In Match on Tuesday night at Monroe Athletic Complex. Set scores were 25-12, 25-23, and 25-20. 
 
With the win, the Express clinched a berth in the Region 15 Semifinals for the first time in the program's young history. The Blue and Gold will battle top-seeded Nassau Community College on Saturday, at Nassau CC Main Gym, beginning at 12:00 p.m. No. 3-Seed Borough of Manhattan Community College will compete against the defending regional champion and No. 2-Seed Monroe University - New Rochelle right after at 2:00 p.m. The two semifinal winners will take on each other in the championship match at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday.
 
Led by standout performances from Edwin Ortega and Darren Lopez, the Express finished each of the three sets strong, improving their record to 10-17 on the season. 
 
Ortega was a force on offense, racking up 10 kills, two aces, and a .421 hitting percentage to pace Monroe's attack. He also anchored the defense with a team-high seven digs. Lopez had just as big of an impact as he delivered 11 kills, six assists, and one ace, giving Monroe multiple attacking options throughout the night. Jeremy Rivera-Aponte scored eight kills. 
 
David Garcia orchestrated the offense with 18 assists, while Fidel Ramirez provided a defensive presence at the net with three blocks and added three kills of his own. Wiltor Cubas provided eight helpers.  

 
The Express came out firing in the first set, hitting .320 as a team and cruising to a 25-12 victory. The Wave (0-14) showed more fight in the second set, having the lead for the majority of the stanza until Monroe - Bronx finished with a 6-2 run to earn the come-from-behind win, 25-23, and notch a 2-0 lead in the match. The Express then sealed the victory in the third set, 25-20, behind key plays from Ortega and Lopez. 
 
Despite the loss, Justin James stood out for Kingsborough as he recorded a match-high 14 kills and a co-contest best eight digs. Kayia Requena also had eight digs, while slamming six putdowns.
 
The Express will look to build on this momentum as they continue their season in the regional semifinals on Saturday. 
 
For more information regarding the the Region 15 Men's Volleyball Postseason, check out www.Region15Athletics.com as well as our social media channels.