Tribune volleyball takes three regional matches

QUEENSBURY, New York - The MCC volleyball team continued its strong start to the season by sweeping three matches in the Tribunes' first regional Pod tournament of the season on Saturday.

Monroe (8-0) took down Hudson Valley, North Country, and host SUNY Adirondack to stay unbeaten on the year and move to 3-0 in Region III play. The Tribunes entered the NJCAA national rankings at No. 10 this past week.

MCC opened by defeating the Vikings 25-11, 26-24, 25-20. Andrea Green led the way with nine kills, six digs, five blocks, and four aces. Tessa Engel added eight kills and seven digs, Chelsea Steinruck and Cherelle Grant had six kills each, and Sam Ashman tallied 11 digs. Jessie Blumenfeld dished out 29 assists.

Monroe then dispatched North Country 25-10, 25-15, 25-1. The third game featured 22 consecutive service points from Blumenfeld, who finished with 29 assists and eight aces on the whole match.

Engel totaled 10 kills, Steinruck added six, and Green had 10 digs and three blocks.

The Tribunes wrapped up the day by defeating Adirondack 25-19, 25-12, 23-25, 25-17. Green and Engel each recorded double-doubles for Monroe.  Green registered 21 kills to go along with 10 digs, six blocks, and a pair of aces. Engel added 18 kills and 15 digs. Blumenfeld had 51 assists.

Steinruck chipped in with 14 kills and eight digs, and Laura Wyckoff added five kills and eight digs. Ashman contributed 14 digs, while Alyssa Coates had eight.