Release courtesy of CNR Athletics

NEW ROCHELLE, NY - The College of New Rochelle picked up a key Hudson Valley Intercollegiate Athletic Conference victory over Culinary Institute 3-0 Saturday afternoon in front of a fanatic Family Weekend crowd in the Wellness Center.  CNR now sits atop of the table at 2-0 in the league and 14-9 overall, while CIA falls to 2-2 and 5-5 overall.

After a slow start by the Blue Angels that allowed the Steels to hang around - trailing just 11-9 - it was senior Melanie Ann Lopez Soto(Gurabo, PR) who led CNR on a rally to jump out 16-9.  After a side out, it was fellow senior Tiany Perez Diaz (Juncos, PR) who served out the game to lead the Blue Angels to the 25-11 first set victory.  Perez Diaz finished the match with six aces.

CNR rolled to an easy 2nd set victory (25-10) thanks in part to the hitting of freshmen Imani Debose (Carson, CA).  She finished the match with a game-high 12 kills.

The Steels made it difficult in the third frame.  Despite that, CNR dulled the Steels attack late, and cut there way to a 25-20 win.  Lopez Soto finished the game with 14 assists, five in the final frame.  Freshmen Brianna Garcia (San Juan, PR)led the way with 14 digs on the floor.