Monroe volleyball wins two more regional matches

BATAVIA, New York - The MCC volleyball team went 2-1 at a Region III pod tournament at Genesee Community College Saturday afternoon.

The Tribunes (8-2 Region III, 14-2 overall) defeated Niagara County CC in straight sets before losing to undefeated Jamestown in three sets. Monroe rebounded to top Erie in five tough sets to close the day.

MCC opened with a 25-25-23, 25-14, 25-16 win over Niagara in the morning's first match. Tessa Engel had a team-high nine kills to go along with 10 digs to lead the way. Andrea Green and Chelsea Steinruck chipped in with eight kills apiece, while Jessie Blumenfeld had 27 assists. Jala McFadden added nine digs.

Monroe then fell to Jamestown 25-17, 25-17, 25-15 to even its record at a win and loss on the day. The Jayhawks swept their three matches to move to 10-0 in regional play.

Engel had seven kills and seven digs and McFadden tallied 11 digs for MCC.

The Tribunes finished up with a wild match against Erie. Monroe spotted the Kats the first set, 25-15, before rebounding to take the next two, 25-23, 25-18. Erie came back to win the fourth 25-13 to force a deciding set. MCC then held off ECC 15-11 in the finale to win the match.

Engel, Green, and Blumenfeld all had double-doubles for MCC. Engel finished with 13 kills and 21 digs, while Green tallied 12 kills and 21 digs to go along with six blocks. Blumenfeld totaled 45 assists and 11 digs.

Grant was big in the middle, finishing with 10 kills and nine blocks. Steinruck added 10 kills and eight digs.